However, by using high-quality oil and performing regular oil changes, many of the problems related to oil leaks in the Mercedes M104 can be avoided. This is especially true for performance cars. The 3.6-liter inline-six cylinder generates 276 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque. However, that increase easily packages in the current automotive lineup, without incurring any crash-absorption or other penalties. New ! In addition, the main cooling fan can often fail overall; without a quick repair, this can lead to various other problems for the M104. Different driving habits, many owners, salt/chemical roads in winter, high humidity areas, quality of replacement parts, quality/negligence of work done, quality of gas used etc, etc all play as important factors. Meanwhile, its compression ratio lies between 9.2:1 and 10.5:1 for its standard Benz and high-performance AMG models. The M256 engine, and its predecessor, the M104, are progressively . Many drivers report getting to the 200,000-mile mark without any severe repairs needed. The issues about it are fairly few and repairable at their onset. Just very quickly over heated and was destroyed. Unblock a DPF The Mercedes M104 engine can be quite reliable if you maintain it well. $400.00. It is the result of years of technological advances and engineering refinements, culminating in an engine that is powerful, reliable, and efficient. If the MAS is the cause of the problem, it will usually set a code that says "airflow sensor malfunction". Altering valve durations can alter the torque band and on most engines the exhaust and intake durations do not need to match, although most cams and tuners use matched pairs there are some advantages to extending the intake or exhaust durations. This article was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder, and I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. The M104 engine was first introduced to the automotive market by Mercedes in 1989. As you can see, both engines are almost identical, and the main difference is engine displacements. These are simply the most common reported issues we found for the M104 series. One of the most noticeable problems with the M104 series is engine overheating. The M104 came under many displacements, but the most potent motors are the AMG series 3.4-liters and 3.6-liters. The engine gets both respect and admiration from enthusiasts as many users report it best for its reliability. Most engines, including the M104, require proper maintenance and the use of high-quality oil. Oil leaks are a frequent, bothersome problem with many engines. 992 (1992-onwards) analogue of the M104,991 with a 9.2 compression ratio, 220 horsepower at 5500 rpm, and 310 Nm of torque at 3750 rpm. With all those problems considered, we still stand by our rating of the Mercedes M104 engines reliability as very good. And keep in mind that the additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft provided by the integrated motor/generator at low rpm dont figure into these peak outputs. Let me know your thoughts on high-mileage gas engines. All the power plants listed here are naturally aspirated with incredible raw power and longevity. Produced from 2004 to 2015, it is among the most dependable engines, more reliable than its bigger sibling, the N54! MERCEDES BENZ 94-99 W124 M104 ENGINE 24V 3.2 CYLINDER HEAD R1040161601 TESTED. This can be caused by some things, including wear and tear, improper installation, or an oil change that wasn't done correctly. It also came with many options ranging from 2.0-liter to 4.0-liter. Many Mercedes drivers find them durable and reliable, as well as powerful and good performers. highway 8.5 Driving on a faulty mass airflow sensor does not directly result in severe engine damage. Currently, turbocharger kits for the M103 and M104 engines are still available from different manufacturers, notably from Asia and Europe. These undersquare dimensions produce a more compact combustion chamber with a more favorable surface-to-volume ratio than an oversquare engine, reducing heat losses to the coolant. The turbo bandit kits are a little much even though they are all great deals. Here's the thing, He says the M104 is less reliable, He thinks its not a good motor, the 12 valve is better. These six-cylinder engines were originally adapted from the Volkswagen VR6 due to Mercedess need for a compact, efficient engine for use in their Vito van. As such, the 2000s are considered by many to be one of the greatest eras of Formula 1. Not to mention the induced air boosts its ponies, but we have something more iconic. On most factory exhausts you should find that the flow rate is ok even on modest power gains, but when you start pushing up the power levels you will need to get a better flowing exhaust. The apparent differences in these engines are the gradual increase in displacement and power output. Please help us improve these tips by sending us your feedback in the comments box below. Something suitable for one model of car may be completely unsuitable for another - so we can only provide generic theory. This can be caused by a number of things, including a leaky radiator cap, a damaged hose, or a coolant reservoir that's cracked. Theyre all great options, Read More 4 Common Mercedes M276 Engine ProblemsContinue, The Mercedes-Benz M112 engine was a four-stroke internal combustion V6 engine utilized in various models from 1998 until ceasing production in 2015. Any small excerpts and quotes copied must be accompanied by a link to the source material. the modifed car gallery, project car updates and exclusive member only areas. Submit! Mercedes M104 Engine: A High-Performance Option for Luxury Automobiles The Mercedes M104 engine is a high-performance option for luxury automobiles. Mass airflow sensors indicate if an engine is receiving the proper amount of airflow. Dmitry has been an editor and author at Cararac.com since 2015. If you suspect this is the cause of your leak, continuously monitor your oil level if it's draining too quickly. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence. Subaru EZ30 Engine: History, Specs, Problems And Reliability, Chevrolet LS1 5.7 : History, Specs, Reability and Problems, Dodge Viper Engine: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Dodge Dart Engine: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Chrysler Voyager Engine: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Chrysler Town and Country: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Chrysler Pacifica Engine: Oil Type and Oil Capacity, 0W-30,0W-40,5W-30,5W-40, 5W-50,10W-40, 10W-50,15W-40, 15W-50. Fast and reliable. Replacing the radiator cap is a relatively simple process that can be done at home. The M256 is turbocharged to develop high output from a small displacement, and that meansthere is the potential of turbo lag under some circumstances. These engines are renowned for their durable construction ability to reach high mileage without expensive or severe repairs. If it fails, the coolant will not be able to do its job and the engine will overheat. Of course, the problems started right at the dealership, with an MSRP of $180,000. This erosion will most likely be first noticed in your brake pads and rotors, eventually leading to the breakdown of various electrical components as well. See details for shipping. And the tuning capabilities will remind you of some of the legendary JDM tuners out there. Symptoms of engine overheating issues can include: Problems surrounding the mass airflow sensor are commonly reported by many Mercedes M104 drivers, especially in those that have reached higher mileage. Mercedes M104 engine tuning Redesigns of the 3.2 to 3.6 engine are very popular, but not economically viable. Free shipping for many products! This device operates on 48 volts, which looks to be the future standard in automotive electronics because it can efficiently provide for the increasing power requirements of modern cars. All of the engines consist of a cast-iron block with an aluminum head. When these burn, they produce particulates. city 14.0 However, a primary factor that you have to consider if you're planning on owning one is the scarcity of its replacement parts. The best wiper I've ever used was OE which are now very reasonable.probably because they're third-world made, but they work great. There are common areas of failure for every engine, with some being over specified and some only just able to handle stock power. Mapping - remapping provides the most advantage in terms of cost savings, aftermarket ECUs, and piggyback ECUs are all alternatives. Thanks! The M103 and the M104 on paper were designed to be 400,000+ mile engines, both. The payoff for this technology is an output of 429 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque at 1800 revs in the version of the engine used in the AMG 53 models. Unfortunately, engine overheating can have a variety of different causes; and Mercedes M104 drivers often report difficulty in identifying the primary cause of this issue. In conclusion, the Mercedes M104 engine does not have many blatant flaws. Furthermore, engine overheating issues can be prominent in older M104 engines, especially those that have not been maintained properly or driven aggressively. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. The intake and exhaust durations will alter depending on the chosen cam profile, so large torque gains are on offer for cam upgrades. This innovative combination resulted in. Due to the fact that the M256 engine was introduced in 2017, many problems and issues are still being determined. Mercedes makes some of the most fanatic cars on this planet and even crazier engines. This is because a competition cam causes a very lumpy idle, and makes the car more prone to stall or jerk along in stop start traffic, sadly though many ignore this and end up ruining a perfectly good car and having to revert back to a fast road, or OEM cam profile. and get all the new deets right in your inbox, Leaders in automotive prformancee and tuning guides, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. When the engine is fitted with a turbo tuning mods are going to net you a larger power gain and most turbocharged engines are built using harder and stronger components. They made the engine substantial and can be able to do over 300,000 miles. Mercedes makes some of the most fanatic cars on this planet and even crazier engines. For one thing, large turbochargers are more efficient than smaller ones because the gap lossescaused by the space between the spinning elements and their housingsare relatively smaller. JavaScript is disabled. While the new inline-six was launched in Europe in .css-xtkis1{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#1C5f8B;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;font-weight:bold;}.css-xtkis1:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}the revised-for-2018 S-class, Mercedes sent the United States a fresh twin-turbo V-6 in that car instead. Nevertheless, there are a lot of advantages to the Mercedes M104 engine. However, certain issues can commonly occur in these straight-six engines. Unfortunately, there are many different reasons why engines can overheat, and Mercedes M104 drivers frequently complain that it is difficult to pinpoint the root of the problem. Your feedback and comments are used to keep this page up to date, and help improve the accuracy of these M104 tuning guides which get regular updates and revisions. 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