The OM651 is a family of inline-four cylinder automobile diesel engines introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 2008.

Design

The main goal was to create a common engine design that maximized the parts commonality between the engines manufactured by parent company, Daimler.

One requirement of the design was the ability of the engine to be mounted both longitudinally and transversely. Improved fuel efficiency and compliance with Euro 5 emission standards were also design objectives, by 2010 being updated to the Euro 6 standard; four piezo-electric injectors fed with very high pressure fuel from a common rail inject fuel directly into the combustion chambers to improve combustion compared to previous Mercedes Diesel engines and recirculated exhaust gas reduces the oxygen in the cylinders to "starve" any reactions that would produce NO(x).

There are 6 variants in all. Of these 4 variants of the engine have the same 2.1 L (2,143 cc) swept volume, tuned to different power outputs 120 PS (88 kW) (badged x180 on rear wheel drive models 136 PS (100 kW) (badged x200 on rear wheel drive models) 170 PS (125 kW) (badged x220) to 204 PS (150 kW) (badged x250). The 170 PS (125 kW) and 204 PS (150 kW) versions employ a 2 stage (bi-turbo) charging setup with a small, high pressure turbo providing quick boost at low RPM fed by a large, lower pressure turbo providing increased performance at higher RPM, then at highest rpm ranges and loads, using both simultaneously. The lower output version has only a single turbocharger. There are also 2 shorter stroke "square" variants of this engine with 1.8 litre displacement 109 PS (80 kW) (badged A/B180) 136 PS (100 kW) (badged A/B200 and used only in smaller front wheel drive models like the A-Bclass). These two variants differ only in electronic tune, and have a single turbocharger.

Problems in the Sprinter

In January 2021, the Mercedes Sprinter equipped with the OM651 engine started to have major issues.

The problems seemed to come after a mandatory update of the Engine Control unit, more precisely, an emissions update.

A handful of customers in the colder regions of Europe started to experience engines seizing up or connecting rods breaking through the engine block.

It appeared to be a problem with water building up in the intercooler.

This water would eventually end up in the combustion chamber, very often cylinder 2 and 4, and cause engine damage.

The solution from Mercedes was first to remove a plastic trim piece under the intercooler, most likely to reduce some of its ability to cool the air.

Another solution was to install a new and different intercooler, where the lower pipe outlet was placed higher to minimize the ability to take in water that could sit in the bottom of the intercooler.

This seemed to remedy the problem.

See also

• List of Mercedes-Benz engines
• List of engines used in Chrysler products

References