Could the OM617 be the most reliable automobile engine ever made? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

whunter · #1 12-31-2009, 03:35 PM

A very good case could be made for it.
http://jalopnik.com/385448/engine-of-the-day-mercedes+benz-om617-5+cylinder-diesel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vTOkCT2EOQ&feature=player_embedded

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=om617+mercedes+diesels&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=NQs9S5ivBZGgnQfYuoGaDQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCEQqwQwAw#

snookwhaler · #2 12-31-2009, 06:13 PM

I don't know... I would have to put my vote in for the 2nd gen. 12 valve p-pumped Cummins in the mid 90's Dodge trucks. The MB engine seems fragile by comparison. Not to mention no timing chain to worry about, a better head design (cross flow) and a grid heater system instead of those stupid glow plugs.

NoSparkNeeded · #3 12-31-2009, 07:05 PM

I thought I really DID read somewhere that either the 240 or NA 300 motor was in fact the world's most reliable engine. I saved the article but cannot find it now. Toyota 22R was the second. I wondered at the time why they didn't mention a "SBC" small block Chevy, or a Dodge slant 6. I'd really like to see some "true" data. I just finished reading a book, "SuperFreakanomics", that turned on it's head, many "beliefs" people hold dear. I'd like to see a good analyisis of data, that truly determines"the world's most reliable automotive power plant", for real, with no conditions, i.e., "we beat the crap out of this thing and it lived for xxx miles".Any powerplant that is cared for properly can go many miles, but I'd like to know, what engine lives the longest, period, statisically. I'm sure the data is out there somewhere.

strelnik · #4 12-31-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

I thought I really DID read somewhere that either the 240 or NA 300 motor was in fact the world's most reliable engine. I saved the article but cannot find it now. Toyota 22R was the second. I wondered at the time why they didn't mention a "SBC" small block Chevy, or a Dodge slant 6. I'd really like to see some "true" data. I just finished reading a book, "SuperFreakanomics", that turned on it's head, many "beliefs" people hold dear. I'd like to see a good analyisis of data, that truly determines"the world's most reliable automotive power plant", for real, with no conditions, i.e., "we beat the crap out of this thing and it lived for xxx miles".Any powerplant that is cared for properly can go many miles, but I'd like to know, what engine lives the longest, period, statisically. I'm sure the data is out there somewhere.

No spark, I agree with you that more info is needed. The OM616 in the 240D is pretty solid, the first gen slant 6 went from 1935-1957, the second gen Dodge Slant 6 went from 1957- 2005 if you include the fork lift engines it's still used in! The basic Citroen 1911cc engine went from 1936-1982 in cars and trucks, the DX went from 1955-75 and was used in all the African rallies.

There are a lot of engines that take a beating and keep going, even the Chrysler 318 which became the 5.2 liter and (I think) is still around from the 1960s. Ford had at least one engine like that (inline 6 240 cubes?) and GM had the 350.

Am not sure the jury's out yet What about the Model T engine? They even ran small sawmills?

layback40 · #5 12-31-2009, 07:21 PM

I read that in the 1980's the w123 diesel was the most common taxi in the world. I think that is a good indicator of the 61x motor..
I have a 300d parts car that I did 800k miles before I replaced it. I have seen one that had done 1,500k miles, without a rebuild. I guess that it helps that these cars would normally do at least 100 miles every time the key was turned, no short trips!
We only use proper diesel so many of the coking and injector problems dont happen.

DANSMB · #6 12-31-2009, 08:55 PM

I say the 240. All the old gas engines had to have a tune-up every 2000 miles. The only way to kill a 240 is to run it out of oil. How many other 30 year old cars still have their original engines in them?

Dan

Sev · #7 12-31-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DANSMB

I say the 240. All the old gas engines had to have a tune-up every 2000 miles. The only way to kill a 240 is to run it out of oil. How many other 30 year old cars still have their original engines in them?

Dan

they may be workhorses, but they're known to throw rods more often than the 617's. plus you can't reliably go 85 miles an hour in them, so they're not really reliable if you ask me

seanarcher · #8 01-01-2010, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSparkNeeded

I thought I really DID read somewhere that either the 240 or NA 300 motor was in fact the world's most reliable engine. I saved the article but cannot find it now.
Toyota 22R was the second. I wondered at the time why they didn't mention a small block Chevy, or a Dodge slant 6.
I'd really like to see some data.
I just finished reading a book, Freakanomics, that turned on it's head everything many people hold dear.

i want to get a copy of that book! have you read freakonomics too?
i will trade you for a month if you would like to do so!

Just when I though there were no opened minded people here.....
i have read freakonomics three times and still go back to it because of the interesting finds.

One of the most controversial is about abortion,it is not what you think....
wet your buds on that......trade me,just for a month if you would like!

there is also a book trading club on-line(instead of buying books),i forget the name of it....get back to you if interested.

layback40 · #9 01-01-2010, 06:27 AM

Roy,
How can you start a thread like this given your recent ebay item !!!!

t walgamuth · #10 01-01-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

they may be workhorses, but they're known to throw rods more often than the 617's. plus you can't reliably go 85 miles an hour in them, so they're not really reliable if you ask me

What do you base the rod throwing statement on please? I have never heard of one which has proper care throw a rod. I think the only way to do that is to run it low on oil or perhaps water.

(A 240d won't do 100 mph reliably either).

seanarcher · #11 01-01-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DANSMB

I say the 240. All the old gas engines had to have a tune-up every 2000 miles. The only way to kill a 240 is to run it out of oil. How many other 30 year old cars still have their original engines in them?

Dan

exaclty.when you do see a 30 year old car with the original engine it usualy has low milgae or 100k or less.if the europeans know how to make a long lasting engine perhaps they might know how to make other things last too.

if you took off the steel wheels on the 240d and put on the aluminum bundts and removed the clutch fan you might feel a little more power in the car.using a manual behind that engine should free up some power too.

johnjzjz · #12 01-01-2010, 02:43 PM

my vote would be a CAT diesel in dozers, trucks, graders, in trucks one million miles is the starting point for getting up there

i have seen some with 500 HP 2 and 3 million miles and they will run you over in a porsche if your in the way at 85MPH -- loaded BTW -- jz

pawoSD · #13 01-01-2010, 04:38 PM

It is MB engines in general though the 617 is among the best. I commute 430 miles a week in my 300SD, and it runs perfectly every time....and I've been getting 25-27mpg depending on where I set the cruise. A coworker of mine is on his third car in 4 weeks!

(buys junkers and ditches them when they die....it is costing him way more than I spend on my MB)

If I were to pick another commuter MB it'd be either a 300SD with a 2.88 diff......or a 300D 2.5/300E/400E W124.