OM603 risks?
I am excited about purchasing my first G-wagen! My ideal is the 1992 350GDT. It has the modern interior of the W463, the diesel engine (I ultimately want to run this on veg oil), and the turbo for getting around the mountainous area I live in. In researching this however, I have found a few discussions suggesting the OM603 engine is less than ideal, particularly the one in the 350G turbo. (350GDT – bent rods…. 300GD – overheating)
Yet it seems to me that there are many more on the road running well, than the few problems I have read about. And I can’t imagine Mercedes supplying that engine for so long if the problem was known from the start.
So I am wondering how great is the chance that I will have engine trouble if I buy at 1992 350GDT? Do I improve my chances by going with a 300GD?
I understand there are always risks with these things and have experienced an engine blowing a piston when it seemed to be running perfectly seconds before. I do like the 350GDT, and am willing to take some risks, but don’t want to shoot myself in the foot either.
Any input is welcome.
Thanks
The early G350 TDs were notorious for having overheating problems. However Mercedes issued a fix and those who have the modified engines swear by them. I am not 100% sure when G350s came with the fix from the factory but I think it was around 1994.
But chances are if the seller has a G350 prior to this that has had the mods he will have the paperwork to support it.
If the fix has not been done I would stay very very far away from it.
The 300GD is nice but very slow and this will be compounded if you are living in mountainous terrain and at altitude.
Are you trying to import one to Canada? If so then of course you are limited by the 15 year rule. Which is a shame as the ideal diesel G is the G300 TD which was released in 1996-2000. The G300 TD is also the last year you can run vegetable oil without requiring you to modify the engine assuming you add some diesel during the winter months to keep it liquid enough.
There is a fellow called Warren in Montreal who is very knowledgeable about Gs and does sell them. It might be worth contacting him - particularly if the G you are interested in is already in Canada.
Well that pretty much does limit you to the G350.
You can actually run 100% veg oil in summer without the need for the heated tanks, lines etc. In winter you can run about 50-80% depending on how cold it is and what oil you use. Rapeseed is still liquid down to about -15C.
You might also want to consider trying to source a G with a Webasto Auxilliary Heater. Though you will need to connect this to a small tank (3-5L) running pure diesel as it won't function on VO. Otherwise they are very expensive to retrofit. But it will greatly help in the Canadian winters.
A good website to keep your eye out for a G is www.mobile.de and if you can read German or use google translator for the Vehice Description you will notice that Germans do tend to note if it has the updated or a replacement engine.
Warren frequents the US forum.
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Yes, I am in Canada and am therefore limited by the 15 year rule. So 1992 is my target year at the moment.
As for running the veg oil in the winter, there are suppliers here that offer heated tanks, lines and injectors to increase the viscosity of the oil in cooler weather and therefore allow it to be used with these engines.
I have been directed to 'Warren' in Montreal before, but so far nobody has had his contact. Perhaps he reads these and will contact me. I have two importers within a short drive from me. One specializes in Japan, the other in Europe. So finding the vehicle is not the problem, it is determing which one I want... provided it is 15 years old, and a W463.