Mercedes Benz Diesel's in a Straight Truck

BillChaffey · Sep 7, 2013

With all the comments about the maintenance regarding Sprinters. Is there a major difference also in the larger engines in a Straight truck. In regards to a USA manufactured engine?. I would think that most shops are familiar with Cat, Detroit Diesel, Cummings.

Slo-Ride · Sep 7, 2013

Not really sure what your ask Bill.
As far as regular maintenance,,I would say not really..Dump the oil and filters regularly,, Run the rack every so often,,,keep a close eye on the belts and pulleys..Do everything ya can do to keep the RPMs as low as possible..Only issue I have had with my motor is while running at a high rate of consumption she has popped the fuel lines off the top of the injectors a few times. Other then that I blew a heater hose once. Been fairly trouble free for me so far.

layoutshooter · Sep 7, 2013

We have the MBE4000 engine, 450HP. It has almost 780,000 miles on it. So far, knock on wood, we have had no problems to speak of. The shops we have gone into have had no problems with working on it. The ONLY problem we have found so far is finding the air filters. We can only find them at a Freightliner parts store. Oil filters, fuel filters etc. are everywhere.

highway star · Sep 7, 2013

Layout, try filtermaxx.com.

I have the small Mercedes, MBE 900 with 645k on it. My experience is about the same as posted above. I've only had the fuel line problem once. The fuel economy is pretty good.

BillChaffey · Sep 7, 2013

Apparently I'm not being clear in my question. I have no doubt that Mercedes engines are reliable.
My question is can most Diesel shops work on them the same as a American product.

tknight · Sep 7, 2013

The injector lines popped on my truck at 20k they were part of a recall program and u should have gotten a notice on it but my notice came in a real fuel mess under the hood!

layoutshooter · Sep 7, 2013

BillChaffey said:
Apparently I'm not being clear in my question. I have no doubt that Mercedes engines are reliable.
My question is can most Diesel shops work on them the same as a American product.

We have had no problem getting work done. There are rebuild kits available.

Slo-Ride · Sep 7, 2013

tknight said:
The injector lines popped on my truck at 20k they were part of a recall program and u should have gotten a notice on it but my notice came in a real fuel mess under the hood!

Nice to hear about it now..properly won't do me any good now..I never never received anything from F/liner after buying this truck..Nothing,not even a Thank you..Will admit I was expecting at least A hat but nothing ever came thru.

Slo-Ride · Sep 7, 2013

BillChaffey said:
Apparently I'm not being clear in my question. I have no doubt that Mercedes engines are reliable.
My question is can most Diesel shops work on them the same as a American product.

Bill sorry if I derailed your thread..

I don't have the direct answer for you. Thinking I have heard for a complete rebuild let Detroit DIESEL do it??? I have only heard of one come apart on the smaller MB and it became a boat anchor and was replaced.
I understand ya can hang new bearings and rering the cylinders if done early enough before damage occurs.
Again I not really sure what to do when the time comes..

highway star · Sep 7, 2013

I take my engine stuff to the Detroit shop, mostly W.W.Williams. Most, if not all, Frieghtliner shops will have guys trained on them, but I stick with the Detroit shop.

roadeyes · Sep 7, 2013

You didn't say if you were looking for another truck or not but assuming you are, Just make sure you stay away from it if it also has the Mercedes transmission. A couple of horror stories on here about them.