Mercedes ML550 M278 Bi-Turbo V8 Engine Teardown. Unavoidable Failure?!

Uhmmm, you don't really do cars mate, you undo them. :)

I'm three hours into watching this teardown while running 1.5 speed and it's only to the second valve cover.

Eric! Cut out a section of filter paper out and squish it in a vice. You will see all the forbidden glitter

Conclusion? I would say the skirts of the pistons are to short. Therefore the piston presses itself into the cilinder wall.
Maybe the viscosity of the oil wasn't optimal either.
What else? Well it could be that the engine wasn't run in that well. Or the owner(s) stepped on the gas while the engine was still cold. But I think it's the to short skirt thing mentioned above.

its a true shit engine

God fkr complicated

I have a '14 GL450 with this engine. I'm aware of the bore scoring, and mine does use a little bit of oil, but runs perfect, no misfires or funny business like that. I have a lift in my garage with full intention of pulling the engine whenever it decides it is time. Love the vehicle. The ONE thing that worries the hell out of me is the fact that you've now broken THREE head bolts on M278s. If I broke one that would either be a machine shop handover or a junkyard handover. I'm not even sure how I would go about extracting a broken bolt that far down in the block. When my time comes though I'm sure going to be using this video for a reference!

Loved the water pump routine!

Can't believe you ruined that perfectly good water pump. :(

What a behemoth!!

M158 too, smh

What do you so with all the bolts. You must have a mountain of them.

I was worried there wouldn't be a water pump throwing shot.

I have the 5.5 naturally aspirated engine in my E550. The following year had this engine with the twin turbos. I wanted to buy this twin turbo model but I’ve had such good luck with all my 5.5’s I’m afraid to go to the 4.7 Twin turbo. 😅

Ragged on really bad! Not much would survive this abuse.

Best ending ever

What would cause the piston to hit wall like that.

We lost that $11 Brett!!

There is no way you can do anything on the exhaust if the engine is in the car.

What a contrast to the classic Mercedes iron inline (overhead cam) 6, 4.5 V8, 6.9 V8

Is this the first time he hasn't thrown the water pump? 😂

How in the hell are you supposed to service this thing with it in the car ???

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE MOTOR HAVE YOU SEE IT NOW..!! WHAT ABOUT THE SERVICE DONE ON THESE ENGINE...!!!?????

Anyone know where I can find a Spectre/K &N cold air intake filter with a 7'' flange, came on the used truck I bought. No one has hit, not even Spectre.

Excellent German design engineering trashed by people who don't keep to the strict service schedule, and expect to turn the key and press the gas pedal forever = sign of the times.

A great example of engineers vs. technicians.

Beautiful engine architecture, ruined by a single ridiculous and unnecessary(?) design feature. Why do the Germans consistently and repeatedly do stuff like that, and why do the people that buy these think they’re “better” than a Hemior LS? I’ve never seen bore damage like that as the primary failure on any good ol ‘murican V8. Just because it has pushrods doesn’t make it inferior in any way, shape, or form.

Was thinking of using a engine block for a table. What would you charge for this one?

This looks like a classic case of someone not allowing a turbo engine to warm up enough before pushing it, but I'm not familiar enough with these Merc engines to say for sure.

👍👍👍👍👍 Eric , do you have an opinion on marvel mystery oil ? p.s ❤ the show . Thanx , Neil

So little dumpster target practice - very disappointed :->

The poor guy that desperately needed that water pump. 😢

Ohh and open deck boosted block with a MLS gasket covering the water ways freaks me out. They could of filled out the deck where the gasket sits and join up the bores.

It nipped up, got hot and lack of lubrication. Check the bore squirters. Have a look under the crowns of the pistons.
Direct injection sucks.

As well as the expected grot on the inlet valves from DI, there was a lot of shit on the piston crowns. Is that poor quality oil and/or too long between changes?

No comments on the postlude?? That was screamingly funny! Give yourselves a holiday treat and watch the ENTIRE video, folks!

Why would this need turbos to make 400hp. The materials have been better used to make a boat anchor.

M278s are horrible. Especially in an s class, ML or GL. Seem to only last in the E class. They make killer power on e40. But hardcore cylinder war scoring

That poor water pump! It's like the Super Dave Osborne of car parts (might be before your time). "Bore score and 7 engines ago....". Thanks

hahaha the end with the waterpump I love it 😆

Every time I watch one of these videos and think about doing any amount of this work with the engine in the car, it makes me glad I decided to work on aircraft for a living and not cars!

😂😂 geeze thats alot of carbon build up, mind you with all scoring on the cylinder walls its no supprise.. what's really strange is the exhaust dosen't look like its done lots of miles or look like the motor has been thrashed.

😂😂 geeze thats alot of carbon build up, mind you with all scoring on the cylinder walls its no supprise.. what's really strange is the exhaust dosen't look like its done lots of miles or look like the motor has been thrashed.

Hi, my name is Gary and I was wondering if you could do a tear down on an Audi 4.2 ltr V8 as I own one. I have watched everyone of your videos and absolutely love your channel. Cheers.

The M276 is not prone to bore scoring, despite the video comment. That engine has steel liners in earlier years or nanoslide TWAS coating on later engines.

Nice Work

4.7 L bi turbo gives only over 400hp?

Everytime I think about buying an exotic car, I watch your show.

Do you really think that the people that buy the vehicles with this engine give 2 $hits about gas milage or pollution?