The Mercedes Benz 601 diesel Engine, technically referred to as the OM-601, while not the most exhilarant engine, was a revolutionary powerplant that paved the action for closest diesel engines. The four-cylinder OM601 is famous for its incredible durability when maintained properly. Many owners of Mercedes Benzes with this Engine keep seen the engines endure 300,000 to 400,000 miles or and. The engine was introduced in 1983 and powered the 190D sedan in 2.0-liter (European) and 2.2-liter (U.S.) versions.
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Technical
The OM-601 is the smallest member of the OM-60X family of Mercedes engines and utilized a cast iron block with an aluminum head and featured a paired overhead camshaft arrangement. To supply added under-hood clearance, the cylinders are canted 15-degrees to the side rather than arranged vertically.
Since the aluminium imagination, the Engine very weighed some 100-lbs less than the OM-61X that it replaced. The OM-601 produced 72-bhp at 4,200 rpm and 96 ft/lbs of torque at 2,800 rpm.
Potential Problems
While the OM-601 has a legendary designation for reliability, there can be a uncommon issues whether the engines are not maintained properly. Due to the use of an aluminum head on a cast iron block, blown headgaskets often result in a warped head.Fuel Mileage
In its age, the Engine returned fairly impressive fuel economy figures that all the more gaze admirable nowadays. M201 chassis cars that used the engine returned approximately 30+ mpg municipality and 45+ mpg freeway in the 2.0-liter history. The 2.2-liter was much deeper impressive, and could morals 36 mpg in the megalopolis and 55 mpg on the freeway.
Maintenance
Along with typical oil changes, conforming all diesel motors, it is recommended that the engines be purged once a year and the glow plugs exigency replacement every sporadic senility. Every 150,000 miles the fuel answer lines duty replacement. Though the serpentine band seldom breaks, it is essential to recorder its context and modify provided damaged, because a broken sash can intention the Engine to overheat.
A duplex chain that runs off of the crankshaft drives the camshafts and fuel injection pump. There is a seperate chain very on the crankshaft that drives the oil pump.One of the notable features of the OM-601 is the fuel injection, which utilized a pre-chamber imitation that stayed in Industry until it was Last of all replaced by CDI rail-injection. The fuel injection pump was a Bosch PES-4M.
Therefore, diligent replacement of the headgasket is recommended. The timing chain also needs to be replaced at the recommended service intervals.
The fuel lift pump for the fuel injection pump is oiled by a connection to the engine's oil supply, and the seal between the two is also prone to leaking. Though replacing the seal is time-consuming and must be done precisely and correctly, it is possible for an accomplished home mechanic. Fortunately, the OM-601's use of hydraulic lifters means that the there is no need for valve adjustments for the life of the motor.
For emissions reasons, California cars had an EGR valve to recirculate the exhaust gases. If not functioning correctly, these can cause driveability issues.
Fun Facts
For colder environments, the engine features a block heater with an external cord that can be plugged in externally. This means that on cold mornings the block can already be heated, provided heat for the occupants as soon as the car is started.
