Mercedes now has an engine with a Cam Belt...urgh!

[Vlad]

Well I never thought I would see the day, but the new Mercedes A Class fitted with the smallest 1.5 diesel has a cam belt rather than a chain

Reason for this.....the 1.5 diesel is supplied by Renault!

Whilst I don't like many things Renault....apart from RenaultSport products, their little 1.5 is a cracking little diesel.

 

[grober]

While cam belts can have their problems - in particular when people don't renew them together with associated parts such as tensioners and sometimes water pumps [ VAG??] at the correct intervals they do tend to be quieter. Timing chains can have their own problems witness the Mercedes in the 80's single chain on their V8's and early M102 = good for about 70,000 miles only. The noughties EARLY LANCHESTER SHAFT M272 V6 PETROLS--- You don't want to go there! and I am waiting with some trepidation on how the new single chain twin cam drive on the new high performance OM 651 diesels is going to fair in the longer term--- that's the one at the BACK OF THE ENGINE!!! fitted to some A and B class. There already have been vague rumours of mods to some early 200cdi OM 651 engine timing gear which has surfaced in high mileage E CLASS taxis.

 

[st4]

While cam belts can have their problems - in particular when people don't renew them together with associated parts such as tensioners and sometimes water pumps [ VAG??] at the correct intervals they do tend to be quieter. Timing chains can have their own problems witness the Mercedes in the 80's single chain on their V8's and early M102 = good for about 70,000 miles only. The noughties EARLY LANCHESTER SHAFT M272 V6 PETROLS--- You don't want to go there! and I am waiting with some trepidation on how the new single chain twin cam drive on the new high performance OM 651 diesels is going to fair in the longer term--- that's the one at the BACK OF THE ENGINE!!! fitted to some A and B class. There already have been vague rumours of mods to some early 200cdi OM 651 engine timing gear which has surfaced in high mileage E CLASS taxis.

BMW had a lot of problems with cam chains on n47 engines, latest 4pot diesels with chains at the back. BMW forums full of issues.

 

[flango]

Yep while I'm not a fan of anything French, I have to admit that 1.5 dci is a sweet little number better than anything MB ever made in diesel. Also the new PSA 1.6 twin turbo diesel now being fitted is also a cracking engine, you can see why premium manufacturers aren't developing their own and using the proven units of others

 

[Vlad]

While cam belts can have their problems - in particular when people don't renew them together with associated parts such as tensioners and sometimes water pumps [ VAG??] at the correct intervals they do tend to be quieter. Timing chains can have their own problems witness the Mercedes in the 80's single chain on their V8's and early M102 = good for about 70,000 miles only. The noughties EARLY LANCHESTER SHAFT M272 V6 PETROLS--- You don't want to go there! and I am waiting with some trepidation on how the new single chain twin cam drive on the new high performance OM 651 diesels is going to fair in the longer term--- that's the one at the BACK OF THE ENGINE!!! fitted to some A and B class. There already have been vague rumours of mods to some early 200cdi OM 651 engine timing gear which has surfaced in high mileage E CLASS taxis.

Grober...worrying re the OM651 engine...I presume that a variant of this engine will be fitted to the larger capacity A Class diesels, although in the A Class it will be mounted transversely which if the rumours are correct will at least allow the chain to be changed more easily in the A Class.....it is frustrating through that a manufacturer can spend multi millions on engine development and then fit sub standard chains or other components such as the shaft bearing in the V6 Petrols......question is, how many of these failures are down to extended service intervals? Would they suffer if the oil changes were at 12,000 rather than @20,000

I supose Mercedes are not alone...BMW with the stretched chains on their 4 cylinder petrols, VW with stretched chains on their 3.2 V6 Petrol which is also mounted at the rear of the engine!

Now that we talk about it maybe that little 1.5 diesel with the cam belt is the engine to go for!!!!

 

[Rory]

While cam belts can have their problems - in particular when people don't renew them together with associated parts such as tensioners and sometimes water pumps [ VAG??] at the correct intervals they do tend to be quieter.

We have a VW in the family which has a belt and it does irk me that VW UK seem to scam UK owners on the change interval. They seem to have gradually reduced the mileage until it lines up with max time interval of 4yrs.

Yet in other markets they call for the belts to be inspected and either not changed at all, or changed at very high (ie 120K) miles.

 

[Sp!ke]

But to choose a Renault engine???

why oh why?

 

[grober]

Grober...worrying re the OM651 engine...I presume that a variant of this engine will be fitted to the larger capacity A Class diesels, although in the A Class it will be mounted transversely which if the rumours are correct will at least allow the chain to be changed more easily in the A Class.....it is frustrating through that a manufacturer can spend multi millions on engine development and then fit sub standard chains or other components such as the shaft bearing in the V6 Petrols......question is, how many of these failures are down to extended service intervals? Would they suffer if the oil changes were at 12,000 rather than @20,000

I supose Mercedes are not alone...BMW with the stretched chains on their 4 cylinder petrols, VW with stretched chains on their 3.2 V6 Petrol which is also mounted at the rear of the engine!

Now that we talk about it maybe that little 1.5 diesel with the cam belt is the engine to go for!!!!

The original reason given for putting the valve gear drive at the rear of the engine was to shorten the overall length of the powertrain. This helped lower the bonnet line to assist with new pedestrian collision protection legislation and made the whole thing easier to fit in a transverse engine layout. It's true the chain drive in the OM651 is much shorter since it only really drives the camshafts -everything else being gear driven so perhaps these fears are unfounded -- only time will tell.

 

[Charles Morgan]

A friend has a 1.5dci Clio and it is a cracking little unit - hers has given her zero issues in 5 years and regularly gets in the high 60s mpg.

 

[DSM10000]

A friend has a 1.5dci Clio and it is a cracking little unit - hers has given her zero issues in 5 years and regularly gets in the high 60s mpg.

I have driven one of these and as Charles said they have a lovely engine, very responsive with a mid range pull that belies 1500cc, third gear was good from 15mph with strong and even torque.

The rest of the car was not to bad either with precise steering and progressive braking. The interior it must be said was a little low rent but it is hardly an expensive car.

I would happily have one for my commute.

 

[BTB 500]

I assume this is the engine used in the new M-B Citan van, since that's basically a Renault Kangoo.

 

[bernie driscoll]

But to choose a Renault engine???

why oh why?

"The K9K is a family of straight-4 turbocharged diesel engines co-developed by Nissan and Renault"

Nissan engine.

 

[DSM10000]

But to choose a Renault engine???

why oh why?

Why not?

Blind prejudice against the French is a national sport I know (and one I have indulged in!) but they do make and sell a lot of cars and I believe that the majority do not blow up?

 

[Bellow]

While buddied up to Renault, MB may learn how to make corrosion free cars (and vans) as Renault currently have the best rep for rot free motors.

 

[markjay]

While buddied up to Renault, MB may learn how to make corrosion free cars (and vans) as Renault currently have the best rep for rot free motors.

My Renault seems to be made up of plastic, mostly, the front wings definitely are, yet it scored full five-star NCAP rating.

 

[markjay]

As other said, can belts are only an issue if neglected. And the engine is cheaper to make.

I wonder if the new engine happens to be a non-interference design... that would be nice.

 

[st4]

As other said, can belts are only an issue if neglected. And the engine is cheaper to make.

I wonder if the new engine happens to be a non-interference design... that would be nice.

That would be excellent, but doubtful.

You mention plastic front wings. Body panels play little part in the crash performance of the car, it's the chassis rails and safety cage and front crash structure. The wings are merely cosmetic. I wish more of my car was plastic body panels.

 

[BenzedUP]

i have to admit that 1.5 dci is a sweet little number better than anything mb ever made in diesel.

lmao, you joker.

 

[Vlad]

"The K9K is a family of straight-4 turbocharged diesel engines co-developed by Nissan and Renault"

Nissan engine.

In the Nissan/Renault alliance.....Renault do the diesel engines and Nissan supply the expertise for the petrols, as they didn't have much expertise in the way of small or clean diesels

 

[artyman]

Had a rubber band on my previous Skoda, changed at 60K if I rember correctly, never gave any problem. Surely it's just a maintainence matter.