The OM617 engine is a 5-cylinder indirect injection diesel in-line engine from Daimler-Benz. Its production started in 1974. It is a direct continuation of the 4-cylinder engine OM616 and differs from it only in the additional cylinder.
OM617 is considered one of the most reliable engines, often reaching over 1,000,000 km, which is one of the key reasons for Mercedes’ popularity in North America in the 1980s.
The turbocharged engine was the first diesel engine suitable for use in S-class and mid-range cars. Daimler-Benz was interested in meeting the fuel consumption targets set by the US government. This is how the 300 SD (S-Class Diesel) and 300 CD (Coupe Diesel) models appeared, the first (S-Class W 116, Coupe C 123) and the second body version (S-Class 126 series).
Specifications
| OM 617 1974 | |
| Displacement | 3005 cc |
| Fuel system | precombustion chamber injection |
| Power output | 80 hp |
| Torque output | 172 Nm |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R5 |
| Cylinder head | cast iron 10v |
| Cylinder bore | 91 mm |
| Piston stroke | 92.4 mm |
| Compression ratio | 21 |
| Engine features | no |
| Hydraulic compensators | no |
| Timing drive | double-row chain |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 6.5 liters 5W-40 |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | Euro 0 |
| Engine lifespan | 600 000 km |
| OM 617 1979 | |
| Displacement | 2998 cc |
| Fuel system | precombustion chamber injection |
| Power output | 88 hp |
| Torque output | 172 Nm |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R5 |
| Cylinder head | cast iron 10v |
| Cylinder bore | 90.9 mm |
| Piston stroke | 92.4 mm |
| Compression ratio | 21.5 |
| Engine features | no |
| Hydraulic compensators | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 6.5 liters 5W-40 |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | Euro 0 |
| Engine lifespan | 550 000 km |
| TURBO OM 617 A 1979 | |
| Displacement | 2998 cc |
| Fuel system | precombustion chamber injection |
| Power output | 115 hp |
| Torque output | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R5 |
| Cylinder head | cast iron 10v |
| Cylinder bore | 90.9 mm |
| Piston stroke | 92.4 mm |
| Compression ratio | 21.5 |
| Engine features | no |
| Hydraulic compensators | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | yes |
| Recommended engine oil | 6.5 liters 5W-40 |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | Euro 0 |
| Engine lifespan | 500 000 km |
| TURBO OM 617 A 1982 | |
| Displacement | 2998 cc |
| Fuel system | precombustion chamber injection |
| Power output | 125 hp |
| Torque output | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R5 |
| Cylinder head | cast iron 10v |
| Cylinder bore | 90.9 mm |
| Piston stroke | 92.4 mm |
| Compression ratio | 21.5 |
| Engine features | no |
| Hydraulic compensators | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | yes |
| Recommended engine oil | 6.5 liters 5W-40 |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | Euro 0/1 |
| Engine lifespan | 450 000 km |
Frequent problems
These diesel engines are considered to be very reliable, but they are noisy and vibrated. The most common problem with this unit is a leaking crankshaft rear oil seal.
The resource of the timing chain, as well as dampers, rarely exceeds 200-250 thousand kilometers. In terms of fuel equipment, the pumping pump of the high-pressure fuel pump sometimes fails. A number of engines of the first years of production had defects in casting and low-quality turbines.
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