A140 W168 Engine Replacement - any advice would be appreciated

[Moski]

Hi All,

I have a year 2000 (W-Reg) A140 classic and recently the engine has given up the ghost after 80000 miles (really noisy engine, followed by no compression in cylinder 4).

My question is can I use a year 2001/2/3/4 engine as a direct replacement for my old engine or are there differences between the mounts, looms, sensors etc?

Also I am aware that there are two different engine codes for the A140 (one of them is identical to the A160, i believe?). Are there any major differences between the two engines or are they interchangeable as direct replacements for one another?

Thanks in advance,
Mo

 

[BlackC55]

It will be MUCH easier if you stick with a A140 engine with the same first six numbers (166***)

 

[Moylesey]

Don't

Just tried the same in reverse and it's a complete ball ache.

Mercedes changed stuff on the engines every year and there are more things to consider than you might imagine.

DON'T!!!!!

 

[Moski]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I take it then that the easiest solution is to source an engine from a W-Reg A140 as that is surely going to be like for like.

Where is the engine number located?

Thanks,
Mo

 

[miro]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I take it then that the easiest solution is to source an engine from a W-Reg A140 as that is surely going to be like for like.

Where is the engine number located?

Thanks,
Mo

With UK prices the way they are now, i would just buy another car. WhaT I paid for my A-Class in Australia would easily fund a used CLK55 in the UK.

 

[Moylesey]

Engine number should be on the V5.

Take real care - I'm enduring a personal nightmare at the moment having had two breakers send me engines that they assured were compatible only to find they weren't when they arrived - both times the breakers were given VIN number, engine number and car index number.

My car has now been on a ramp for three weeks and I still can't source an engine that matches the one that's come out of the car - it is not easy...

NB A new replacement has been costed at just over £4,000.

I paid £4,750 for the car.

 

[Moski]

Thanks for the advice Moylesey - here was me thinking all I need to do is go to the breakers and find a car that looks like mine and nab the engine from it

NB A new replacement has been costed at just over £4,000.

I paid £4,750 for the car.

£4000 for a new engine?! I think my car is worth, at most, £2,800!

Don't know where you are based, so I don't know how useful the following will be, but when i used breakeryard.com for engine prices there was one place called Goldenarrow engineering in Bethnal Green, London that gave me a quote of £1195 for a reconditioned engine, price inclusive of VAT, FREE fitting and a 5 Year / 60,000 miles Warranty.

Their number, if your interested, is 0208 985 4425. They are open till 6pm today.

I haven't called them yet as to be honest £1195 is out of my budget range.

The most i can stretch to is £600 for an engine as myself, bro-in-law and nephew will be taking on the job of changing the engine ourselves!

Hope that helps,
Mo

 

[Dieselman]

The most i can stretch to is £600 for an engine as myself, bro-in-law and nephew will be taking on the job of changing the engine ourselves!

Have you got access top a 2 post lift and a transmission jack. If not changing the engine is going to be a major challenge and probably rather dangerous. It has to come out of the bottom still mounted to the subframe.

 

[nick mercedes]

Have you got access top a 2 post lift and a transmission jack. If not changing the engine is going to be a major challenge and probably rather dangerous. It has to come out of the bottom still mounted to the subframe.

Two men can lift an A-Class body and wheel barrow it backwards off the running gear, not as easy as a ramp admittidly.

 

[Dieselman]

You still have to get under it to undo everything, so then it's possibly either too low to get under or too high to get the body over.
You have lifting equipment to make this easy, the O-p is going to be on the drive. I think it could be rather awkward.

I've used that trick before but not for years, the last car was a Triumph Dolomite. It was hard work.

 

[nick mercedes]

You still have to get under it to undo everything, so then it's possibly either too low to get under or too high to get the body over.
You have lifting equipment to make this easy, the O-p is going to be on the drive. I think it could be rather awkward.

I've used that trick before but not for years, the last car was a Triumph Dolomite. It was hard work.

A decent trolley jack and a pair of stands should get it high enough to undo everything, not idea I know, but do-able.

 

[Moski]

Thanks for the all the advice, much appreciated.

My brother in law used to be a mechanic so he has a lot of tools, jacks etc plus he likes a challenge!

It will be MUCH easier if you stick with a A140 engine with the same first six numbers (166***)

I looked on the V5 and it just has a 6 digit number - so I am assuming they only list the unique digits on the V5.

Anyone know where the engine number is located on the engine? I had a look today and could not see it anywhere

Thanks
Mo