Is the Mercedes OM617 turbo diesel engine reliable?
The OM617 was praised for its bulletproof reliability, often exceeding 500,000 miles with routine maintenance. It gained immense popularity in models such as the W123 300D and W126 300SD, particularly in North America, where cars with diesel engines were very scarce. The OM617 was a breakthrough for diesel engines in passenger cars, providing better performance than its four-cylinder counterparts while maintaining great fuel economy. The OM617 was praised for its bulletproof reliability, often exceeding 500,000 miles with routine maintenance.The OM617 is considered to be one of the most reliable engines ever produced with engines often reaching over 1,000,000 km (620,000 mi) without being rebuilt and is one of the key reasons for Mercedes’ popularity in North America in the 1980s, as it was powerful and reliable compared to other automotive diesels of the .
What is the disadvantage of a turbo diesel engine?
Disadvantages of a Turbo Engine Well, more power means more energy output per second. This means that you have to put more energy when you use it. So you must burn more fuel. In theory, that means an engine with a turbocharger is no more fuel efficient than one without. Compared to naturally aspirated engines, turbocharged ones can increase fuel efficiency by up to 10%. Also, turbochargers produce higher power than naturally aspirated engines.Therefore, you would expect a 50 percent increase in horsepower in a perfect scenario, but not all turbochargers are perfectly efficient. Factoring in typical inefficiencies, like the backpressure added from having a turbine in the exhaust flow, you’re more than likely going to see a 30 to 40 percent turbo HP increase.
Do turbos reduce engine life?
With proper maintenance and good driving habits, a turbocharged engine shouldn’t have any significant reliability concerns compared to a naturally aspirated engine. Rebuilding a turbo is usually much cheaper than replacing it with a new one. If the damage is relatively minor, rebuilding can be an affordable way to extend the life of the turbocharger. When you opt for a rebuild, the goal is to use many of the original parts.Cars with turbocharged engines often cost more to insure because they cost more to repair than their non-turbocharged counterparts. They also have more power and speed than a standard engine, increasing the risk of an accident.A diesel turbo rebuild involves the disassembly of the turbocharger to inspect and clean the parts, identify and replace worn and damaged parts, and reassemble it with new seals and bearings. Rebuilding your turbocharger can restore it to its original performance capability and save you the cost of a new turbocharger.Cons of Turbo-diesel Engines More Vibration: The excessive power generated by the engine causes more vibration and wear and tear. Increased Complexity: Turbocharger is an additional auto part which increases the diesel engine complexity. This can also result in increased maintenance costs.