Engine number location OM103 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alex_nl · #1 09-16-2009, 01:45 AM

Hi Guys,

I was wondering. I recently bought a new car which is on paper a '82 W126 280SE, but is in fact a facelift model with a OM103 engine. I've looked on the internet where i could find the engine number to find out whether it's a 260SE or a 300SE, but it seems i am unable to locate the engine number.

Can you guys tell me where i can find it?

Best regards

pawoSD · #2 09-16-2009, 02:12 AM

The engine is most likely a 3.0 M103 (Not OM, that means "oil motor" aka diesel)....the 2.6 would be a bit weak to pull around a W126....and about 75% of the M103's in the USA are 3.0 liter.

I am not actually sure where the ID number is on the M103, it might be along the top of the block either on the side, or front.

Ivanerrol · #3 09-16-2009, 08:10 AM

260SE's. A lot in Asia.

Engine is a M103. Engine number is down on the side of the engine down under and just to the rear of the alternator.
You will probably need to clean the area before you use it.

or

get the VIN number, go to the Russian club site and the info given will also give you the engine number and all the details re the car.

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

If that is an image of your car - it looks a pretty clean example. - and that is a M103 engine.

Cal Learner · #4 09-16-2009, 08:25 AM

1982? Doesn't seem likely. M103s weren't around in '82, were they? And that motor looks like it has the EGR valve and the 16-pin diagnostic box, neither of which were around in the 80s. 1992 maybe? Beautiful clean bay.

Ivanerrol · #5 09-16-2009, 08:53 AM

O.P. is in the Netherlands - Holland.
Would be a Euro model.
No relationship to anything sent to any English speaking country.

alex_nl · #6 09-16-2009, 08:58 AM

Guys, thank you for your reactions.

The car is a Euro indeed, because i live in Europe. But it doesn't match. The VIN number is one from a 280SE from 1982, but everything is post-facelift (>1985). That's why i have the M103 engine.
PawoSD I did not know that there was a difference between OM and M engines, that probably explains why i could not find that much information when i searched on google on OM103, lol

Ivanerrol, thanks. I will try to locate the number there tonight when i am home. Hope to find it there. But i know where to look know. That picture i used is one i found on the internet, mine is not that clean, but looks fairly nice though.

Cal Learner · #7 09-16-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex_nl

That picture I used is one I found on the internet, mine is not that clean, but looks fairly nice though.

Well, sure, if the picture isn't even the OP's engine, but taken off the Internet, it could be installed in any kind of MB, delivered anywhere in the world. I still say, it's probably more like '90 - '91. Ivanerrol, I realize that Euro deliveries have differences from North American/Australian/Japanese models, but did any Benz come fitted with an EGR in the early 80s? Or the second generation 16-pin diagnostic box, or twin auxiliary fans? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ivanerrol · #8 09-16-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal Learner

Ivanerrol, I realize that Euro deliveries have differences from North American/Australian/Japanese models, but did any Benz come fitted with an EGR in the early 80s? Or the second generation 16-pin diagnostic box, or twin auxiliary fans? Inquiring minds want to know.

My '88 update M103 W124 Japanese delivery has twin aux fans, 16 point diagnostic but no EGR.
EGR are installed because of emissions regulations which were diverse per specific market.

Alex NL do you have an image of your engine compartment? It would be interesting to see.