HELP - Will this engine work in my 2013 GL550?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 5
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From: Fresno, CA
2013 GL 550, 2019 E 450 Wagon
HELP - Will this engine work in my 2013 GL550?
Hi everyone,
Our 2013 GL550 with over 150k miles is going through oil like it’s gas. Blue smoke clouds, many cranks to start (aka lost compression), fouls spark plugs leading to running rough Borescoped and there’s scoring on all the cylinder walls. We all know the drill.
I am planning on having the engine replaced with a lower mileage M278. During my research into this I saw a thread stating that in about May, 2015 Mercedes switched from the Siltec liners to iron liners and new cylinders and rings. My question is, will a later gen M278, say from a 2016+ GLS550, would work as a direct drop in?
I found one (attached photo) that is relatively good mileage to price ratio. Comparing parts numbers seems there are a few differences, one that comes to mind being exhaust cams and valves but there are a few more. I don't want this to become a bigger headache than it already it, say as in having to strip the new motor down to the block.
Or should I look for a low mileage engine from the same model year?
Our 2013 GL550 with over 150k miles is going through oil like it’s gas. Blue smoke clouds, many cranks to start (aka lost compression), fouls spark plugs leading to running rough Borescoped and there’s scoring on all the cylinder walls. We all know the drill.
I am planning on having the engine replaced with a lower mileage M278. During my research into this I saw a thread stating that in about May, 2015 Mercedes switched from the Siltec liners to iron liners and new cylinders and rings. My question is, will a later gen M278, say from a 2016+ GLS550, would work as a direct drop in?
I found one (attached photo) that is relatively good mileage to price ratio. Comparing parts numbers seems there are a few differences, one that comes to mind being exhaust cams and valves but there are a few more. I don't want this to become a bigger headache than it already it, say as in having to strip the new motor down to the block.
Or should I look for a low mileage engine from the same model year?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I'm not sure if it is true that they every switched to iron liners. My bet would be they used a ferrous metal coating on the piston like they used in years past or maybe even a ferrous coating on the cylinder liner. Either way, it is probably better than the Silitec coatings. Those are failing at a dramatic rate.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 77
From: New Jersey
GL 450
When i was researching for my replacement, as long as it was an M278 engine that was all that mattered. If it came from a sedan or couple you would need to re-use your oil pan, but everything else would work. Who is doing the work? Maybe confirm with them? I would bet what you found would work. Part numbers change all the time, even for no reason.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
2013 GL 550, 2019 E 450 Wagon
When i was researching for my replacement, as long as it was an M278 engine that was all that mattered. If it came from a sedan or couple you would need to re-use your oil pan, but everything else would work. Who is doing the work? Maybe confirm with them? I would bet what you found would work. Part numbers change all the time, even for no reason.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA
2013 GL 550, 2019 E 450 Wagon
I'm not sure if it is true that they every switched to iron liners. My bet would be they used a ferrous metal coating on the piston like they used in years past or maybe even a ferrous coating on the cylinder liner. Either way, it is probably better than the Silitec coatings. Those are failing at a dramatic rate.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 77
From: New Jersey
GL 450
Engine
I forget what year, it was a gl450. Not a gls 450. But it was a nearly new car that a woman crashed. This was 2018. The m278 engine blocks are the same, acceories could be different. My understanding is as long as it is a m278, regardless or year or donor, the block will work. I spent about 6 months researching before I invested in the repair.
As far as liners perhaps you could pull the Vin and it in an MB part finder and see what pops up.
As far as liners perhaps you could pull the Vin and it in an MB part finder and see what pops up.
Work is going to be done by the only local indie I could find that was willing to do it. I've spoken with him and he wasn't sure on interchange between years. He has done engine replacements but not specifically the M278 it seems. Based on your signature I am guessing you replaced the engine in your GL450. What year is yours and what year and model was your donor engine from? Did it end up being a straight drop in or were there any hiccups along the way?
