mercs600boy123

Hello to all. I have been lurking around for some time now. I have pulled the motor from my 2007 s600. It has damage in 3 of the cylinder liners, probably from an overheat problem. I have decided to replace with a used lower mileage engine. My question would be, will any m275 engine from 2003 thru 2013 work in my vehicle. thanks, Kevin roasting in Phoenix.

George993

in theory they are the same and should work, but before 2007 it was a different W220 body and chances are there could be some electronics problem where computers would not interoperate

So I would look for the 2007-2013 donor to be safe

mercs600boy123

Thanks for your reply. I think that would be the smart thing to do. I have not always done things the smart way. Actually the 2007 and up motors are much more scarce than 2003 to 2006. I have sourced a 2004 with 72 k on it. I figure I may have to change some sensors, motor mounts and possibly exhaust manifolds etc. That is not a problem. Just hoping that is the only problems I will face. Kevin

George993

Or depending on what you are looking for, if you want comfort, reliability, low maintenance costs, great fuel economy without high performance, I would look for older, reliable, simple straight 6 Mercedes diesels and install one of those in a stand alone configuration (unless you are in CA or some other place like that where DMV will block any attempts to register and will fail you on smog).

If you stay with V12, prepare to spend many thousands in service costs right after you install it

mercs600boy123

Thanks for your suggestion. I prefer to have the smooth power of a v12. Maintenance costs will be something I have to deal with. I have always done all my own work and now that I am retired, I have plenty of time. I thought this car would be harder to work on than it is. Motor came out in a snap and it is just like any other car. Just nut and bolts and electronics. Not scared of it. Kevin

George993

Kevin, in this case I would also consider 2000-2002 V12, again with some "stand alone" controls, which should not be too difficult to make as it is a simple, no turbo engine. Those are almost free and available as they have a terrible (and deserved) reputation for oil cooler leaks etc. But once those are fixed, those are great engines.

The best part would be to add equal length headers (also should not be too hard to make, or buy from Japan and maybe some other places, it has been a while since I was looking at such project). This gives you a smooth, high revving V12 engine which sounds like early Pagani Zonda or some older Formula 1 cars - those are considered some of the best sounding cars in the world

It would not be smart, but it would be fun :-)

mercs600boy123

It would certainly fun. Thanks for your perspective on my project. Most of those kind of fun projects are in my rear view mirror. I will be turning 70 soon, so I am just looking to have a nice cruiser with a little bit of fun on the highway entrance ramps. Thanks again. Kevin

lionsfan54

I've owned my V-12 for 3 years and are nowhere near that number. The engines themselves are quite reliable. Motor mounts can be spendy but he fix that easy enough when he swaps it.

George993

lionsfan54 congrats, good for you :-)

(I've owned 3 Mercedes V12 for many years and I have not been that lucky)

mercs600boy123

I guess we all have our tolerance level for having to maintain our cars. If I don't have something to fix I go crazy. I guess that is why I have 4 cars. This site is a great place to get information and perspective.

DaleB

Then you're going to love your S600 to death. Trust me.

mercs600boy123

I look forward to the challenge. I am sure that with help from you and all the other knowledgeable folks on this site I can overcome any and all obstacles presented to me.

DaleB

Haha! There's always something. As you have noticed, however, these really aren't that difficult to work on. A few new tools, a few new concepts. No biggie. I've flushed the brake system, replaced the intercooler water pump, replaced the valve cover gaskets, dissected and reassembled the transmission. Yes, they do require more maintenance -- much more, in fact -- than most "regular old" cars. You gotta understand the German mindset, I guess. They're worth it, though you'll question that when something new breaks. Like whatever it is that's peeing blue coolant all over my driveway right now. Again.

A couple words of advice. If it were me dropping in a used engine, I'd take some time beforehand to do a few things that will be a real b!tch to do once it's in place. Replace the valve cover gaskets. Trust me on this, just do it, they're cheap. There are a couple of stainless lines on each side that carry coolant from the rear of the block to the turbos. Pull them and replace ALL the gaskets and O-rings. Carefully pull the coil packs and change the plugs, unless they look like brand new. And for God's sake, keep the old coil packs! Even if they're bad, you may want them later as cores. Keep the turbos too. And the voltage converter for the coil packs, and the throttle body, and the -- well, you get the idea.

And if you want to swap in something that will be super reliable and runs on kerosene, screw the inline 6... go straight for the PT6.

mercs600boy123

Appreciate the advice. Thanks to everyone here, I have gleaned a lot of info already. It is nice to get your positive reinforcement on this. I have ordered the coolant line orings. the oil line gaskets, new vc gaskets. As you say spark plugs are a must. I also ordered a crank position sensor, it looks hard to change when engine in place. I also decided to do the following before installation. Rear main crank seal, new coolant hose at rear that goes "I believe" to the heater valve, new upper and lower radiator hoses, new water pump, new radiator, all new idler and tensioner pulleys, orings for ps pump lines abc lines, ac lines etc. Also new motor mounts. I have serviced the transmission while waiting on my engine. Of course I will flush abc and ps system when it goes back together using a new 3 micron filter for the abc. If I have had a senior moment and forgotten anything that is near impossible with the engine in, I am open to suggestions. Thanks again.

MBCO

Do you have DAS Xentry? Might need it for integrating any electronic content on replacement engine into your vehicle’s present systems. Keep us posted on your progress.

mercs600boy123

I do not have DAS Xentry. I am going to change all of my sensors etc from my original engine and of course use my ecm. Hopefully all will be well. If not..... I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Good thought. Thanks

DaleB

You'll probably want to pick up a laptop loaded with it before long. It's almost a requirement for anything you do on an S600. An OBDII scanner like the ICarsoft is OK for some things, like resetting errors, but not a lot. I don't know where I'd be without the laptop I have. I bought a used Dell for $140 from an eBay seller, picked up the Tactrix passthru interface, and had @MBENZTECH set it all up. He's been really great about supporting it. I have the ICarsoft tool also, bought it first. I still use it occasionally when I need to just reset a CEL and I already know what caused it, and I loan it to my son for his E550. The laptop is a must, though, if you plan on servicing the car yourself long term. It's really the only way to run any sort of diagnostic tests, and it also lets you do things like actuate individual systems -- window shades, lights, coolant pump, fuel pump, and so on.

Also -- make sure you have the EPC (Electronic Parts Catalog) and WIS (Workshop Information System) if you don't already. Those are pretty cheap, and invaluable for looking up part numbers and service information.

mercs600boy123

I agree with you totally. I know I need it, just didn't want to go off on my own and get something that doesn't work properly. I may rely on you for further guidance if that's ok. Thanks

JohnLane

OP....

The lump is out. Don't miss this opportunity to give it the six liter!
Buy one with turbos as they are sized bigger then the 5.5 liter got. A truly complete engine will be frightfully close to a plug and play replacement.
When my 275 spat a main bearing shell into the chains I found one with low miles in Chicago. It got delivered on a pallet.
Aside from the sheer volume of work to be done it is a fairly straightforward repair.
You are smart replacing the radiator now! Mine failed a year later.

I'm in Goodyear. Yes; toasty. Let me know if you need someone to laugh and point at it.

mercs600boy123

I did manage to get a lower mileage "73k" motor out of Texas. Being shipped now. Not 6 liter but fits my needs. It will take a little work to do the things necessary, but worth it not to have to go in again.