E500 5.5 V8 Engine development

[jumperjohn]

Hello.

I'm wondering about the development of this engine, maybe a bit sad but I like to learn.

I know that this engine was put into the E Class facelift from 2006 but where did it come from, i.e. a develpoment from the 90's or was it brand new? Also is this engine the exact same as in a new E500 and is it the same for the C63 apart from the addition of turbos?

Lots of questions but a google search doesn't answer anything.

 

[Stratman]

As far as I'm aware, the 5.5L engine is a Mercedes block which has been worked on by AMG. The engine in the C63 is a 6.2L AMG designed and built unit.

 

[jaymanek]

Its the M113 bored out.

Mercedes-Benz M113 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
The engine the facelift 211 E500 is an M273, which was developed from the earlier M112 (V6) and M113 (V8) engines.
I would post a link but if you do a search on wiki it should give you more info.

 

[jumperjohn]

It seems like this series of engine developments are all to do with different bores and strokes?

 

[st4]

Is there any problems with timing chains or tensioners in this engine. I know some V6s have a weak design...

 

[Auto-mobile]

Is there any problems with timing chains or tensioners in this engine. I know some V6s have a weak design...

Both v6 and v8 Mercedes engines are bomb proof, I have only seen 2 chain failures in 14 years working on mercs

W124 with a 102 engine
W210 with a 111 engine

O and c63s are n/a no turbos

 

[Alex Crow]

Both v6 and v8 Mercedes engines are bomb proof...............

Not quite true I am afraid, as Steve suggests the earliest 272 and 273 engines suffered excessive balance shaft/idler gear wear, meaning very expensive repair bills.

Later production used a different gear with no problems.

 

[BTB 500]

I have only seen 2 chain failures in 14 years working on mercs

There have been at least a couple of V8 chain failures posted on here. But they are pretty rare.

 

[Alex Crow]

Mercedes chain failures...

The first 116 380 engines had single row chains, and failed, not seen on UK market cars.
All the 116/117 range can suffer sticking tensioners, which can cause chain flap, rail breakage, and consequent chain jumping/valve bending.
The 102 single row chains and gears wore very fast, as has been suggested.
The cosworth single row 2.3 16v engine used to jump timing, on occasion.
The 271 engine is appaling, suffering chain and sprocket wear, with many bent valves as a result.
The 272 and 273 engines suffer balance shaft/idler gear wear, with engine warning lights being the only reported consequence - so far.
EDIT: I should add, this is not an exhaustive list!

Mercedes chain success stories,
Mostly all the rest are pretty good, the twin row chains are usually fine in all applictions (with the above exceptions), and some single row chain setups - eg M103 - are amazingly good, with little wear. Odd really that the 102 single row was so poor, yet the 103 will go for 500,000 miles (in a 300SE that I know).

 

[BTB 500]

From a quick search of threads here:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-wanted/93703-wanted-urgently-r129-sl500-engine.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-wanted/55043-sl500-m119-5-0l-engine-needed.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/112622-snapped-timing-chain-clk230k.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/102543-bust-timing-chain-class-ditch-repair.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/42911-snapped-timing-chain-slk-230k.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/76681-vito-108d-timing-chain-snapped-please-help.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/52772-class-broken-cam-chain-how-much-fix.html

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/47597-a140-broken-timing-chain.html

 

[MD5]

Not quite true I am afraid, as Steve suggests the earliest 272 and 273 engines suffered excessive balance shaft/idler gear wear, meaning very expensive repair bills.

Later production used a different gear with no problems.

Does anyone know when the different gear was introduced into the 273 engines? I'm looking at a 2007 R230 SL 500, which I think has this engine.

 

[Vlad]

I could be wrong but I think its from 2006 onwards