OM642 query

[milleplod]

Do the later 265bhp OM642s suffer from the same oil cooler seals issue as earlier ones, or had they been sorted by then?

Pete

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

It’s hard to find conclusive evidence. I thought the problem was resolved even by 2010, but some on here have said they had the issue as late as 2012…!

 

[ambjoinery]

Do the later 265bhp OM642s suffer from the same oil cooler seals issue as earlier ones, or had they been sorted by then?

Pete

Hope the attached helps.

Mercedes OM642 Engine Problems (320CDI, 280CDI, 350CDI, 350d)

This is the most complete list of Mercedes OM642 engine problems. This engine is found in almost all Mercedes cars with V6 diesel engines.

lifeonfour.co

 

[such01]

My seals were changed around 90k - car is a 2012 model. Now on 180k

 

[W1ghty]

I’d heard some problems up to and including 2012 .
Also worth bearing in mind that the earlier om642’s were a duplex cam chain in the 320/280’s but i think the 350’s are now a single cam chain ….might be worth bearing in mind if the miles are up . Combing the simplex chain with stop start isn’t a good idea long term either

 

[MrGreedy]

I don’t believe the purple viton seals will permanently cure the issue, but might slow down the occurrence.

It had been suggested to me by a specialist that they thought, on careful inspection having done too many oil cooler seals to count, that part of the issue was the location of the oil cooler, particularly come DPF regen time in slow traffic or generally sitting in traffic.
The thought being that many many high heat cycles causes microscopic distortion in the aluminium oil cooler, which allows some oil that has seeped past the seals to get in between the mating aluminium surfaces, which dries. Then another cycle. Then drying. And repeat. And many many microscopic layers of dried oil could contribute to a ‘jacking apart’ of the mating surfaces. At some point, this gets to the obviously leaking stage.

If the viton seals can hold their shape and flexibility better, this will be a delay. But I doubt any polymer can withstand 100degrees heat cycling indefinitely whilst maintaining original mechanical properties and performance.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Has anybody seen or heard of people replacing them for a second time, though? On forums and such. Plenty of high mile OM642s about now.

Or even the later design 642s from 2013 onwards... I assume they definitely use the newer seals, but ultimately it's the same engine. Do any of those leak? Even at 300,000 miles?

 

[mersum1es]

I remember reading one later design leak, like MrGreedy says, nothing last forever.

I can't remember when single row chains came, I think it was around 2015...

 

[kam09]

Someone has had cooler seals go on a w213 e350d with only 60k miles!

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Fab. Cars are pain