MBE Engines

I have been shopping for a truck for some time now and also noticed the price break in the mbe motors. Thanks for the input. Looks like I will put these in the categories of the acert and def system motors also....one not to buy.

 

I think the pre-'07 ACERTS have done pretty well overall.... you will never have an EGR problem with an Acert something you can never say with another '03 emisson engine.

Most of the teething problems have been dealt with and most guys are pretty happy with them from what I can tell.

A little tuning from Mr. Haney and you will have a happy motor...

 

M-B was not part of the Consent Decree. If you get the MBE4000 they were allowed to build non-EGR On-Highway Engines through 2003. These had less issues and better fuel mileage than EGR Engines. These were still available in Freightliners into 2005 production. If you go MBE400 avoid the EGR Engines.

If you go Series 60 the 2005 DDEC IV 12.7L and the 2005/2006 DDEC V are the engines to have. The farther from the Oct 1, 2002 Introduction of EGR the less issues the engines had.

My 2005 DDEC V had to have the Injector Tubes replaced but unlike the older engines they are top side serviceable so the head didnt have to come off. Those and one injector harness (wicking oil) are the sum total of Detroit parts Ive needed in 600,000 miles.

If I had to vote for the most trouble free 2004EPA engine available it would be a 2005 DDEC IV 12.7L (The Injectors are less troublesome and available cheaper if they need replacing). Those abound in the 2006 Columbia.

 

thanks tightwad

 

The pre-egr Mercedes had more than their fair share of water pump, idler pulley, fuel line, turbo, and head gasket problems. These issues may have been adressed by now, but 175k miles per head gasket was the norm, and turbos around that same mileage. Fuel lines were more frequent.

Those pre-egr engines did get good fuel mileage, and would pull down to 1100 real good.

 

Got an '05 Columbia with an MBE in it. Been in it 3.5 years. Here's the highlights (major repairs only, not including .10 CPM maintenance)- 3 complete engine rebuilds caused by leaking head gaskets (before 500,000 miles), 3 turbochargers, 2 exhaust brakes(the "butterfly valve" after the turbo). A new clutch for the automated trans, a new EGR valve, an XY shifter, 2 new EGR intercoolers, and that's not all.

It pulls good. Until it has to be shut off for fault codes and towed to a shop.

 

Mercedes must have fixed the exhaust leak where the egr pipe had a slip joint above the regular exhaust, or you would have died from carbon monoxide poisioning before 500k.

 

HOLY smokes! My choice is made and its not mbe LOL