L400 engine mileage

cd_photo · Post by **cd_photo** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 8:31 am

After dropping a significant amount of cash recently on my '94 L400 with 180,xxx km on it, I have been wondering what kind of mileage I can expect to get out of my engine. Generally I know diesels last longer than gas engines and it's not uncommon for them to go to 400,000 km or more if properly maintained.

I take good care of my engine, full synthetic oil changed regularly, air and fuel filters done regularly, no overheating or other cruel and unusual punishment. It is a daily driver, so gets started and stopped a lot. So I'm wondering if anyone knows what the usual high mileage mark is for a 4M40 that has been well treated?

majormalfunction · Post by **majormalfunction** » Fri Jul 08, 2016 10:13 pm

Same here
I know work on them is pricey so I'm curious too
Mine has 195k now
I bought it at 180k

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Sat Jul 09, 2016 5:21 pm

In My Humble Opinion:
I've got a 1992 Starwagon (L300) with a 4D56T Mighty Astron engine. I bought her in January,'08 with 61,XXX kilometres on her. She now has 218,500 kliks on her. This engine (and maybe the 4M40) has a 21:1 compression ratio, they are built strong. Having discussed this with the engineer of the MV Queen Of Naniamo, whose two Mirrlees National KVSSM twin turbo V16 diesel engines were installed in 1964, I'm thinking that my girl's going to last if I look after her. Perhaps there will be a major service at one point, in the meantime I'm checking fluids, joints, grease her every two oil changes, &c.. If you "drive it like you stole it" ~ she won't last, you'll blow the head or something. When you hear expressions like "these engines are bullet proof" ~ remember that these are expressions and they really won't stand up to 50cal, for that matter I doubt they will stand up to .22, at least not the IP. No, if you want them to last ~ drive them like diesel trucks. Gear down when doing big hills, watch your engine temperature, don't try to break any land speed records driving over the Coq. Best to understand your wagon. My old man bought a Mercedes Benz 300D in 1975 and drove her until 2006. The vehicle out lasted the driver.

Your tools are your friends. You look after your friends ~ they look after you.

Falco.

P.S.: I warm her up first start of the day. Takes about four minutes at 1,100* RPM for the coolant temp needle to move, which means the thermostat has opened, which means the engine is now operating at ambient temperature, which is what all the nuts and bolts are torqued for. If you start and go immediately with a cold engine then you will be putting undue stress on an engine that hasn't expanded into operating temperature (rattle, rattle ~ shake, shake...).
*Corrected.

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Sat Jul 09, 2016 7:23 pm

FalcoColumbarius wrote:Takes about four minutes at 11,000 RPM for the coolant temp needle to move...

I'd expect *everything* to move, probably in a random scatter pattern, and a lot sooner than after four minutes!

I see plenty of 4M40 engined Delicas and Pajeros for sale with over 300,000km on the engine. I believe the head gasket and head are the weak points- head gaskets do fatigue and become more prone to failure over time, commonly around 250,000km, but if you catch it in time and don't crack the head then there's no reason why a new gasket shouldn't do another 250,000km.

majormalfunction · Post by **majormalfunction** » Sat Jul 09, 2016 8:04 pm

11000 RPM????

WTF?
Are you talking about a motorcycle or did you mean 1100 RPM?????

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Sun Jul 10, 2016 2:53 pm

majormalfunction wrote:11000 RPM????

WTF?
Are you talking about a motorcycle or did you mean 1100 RPM?????

Hahahaha.... I thought that looked odd! I meant 1,100 RPM.... my bad. Yes guys ~ avoid idling your Delica at 11,000!

Falco.

cd_photo · Post by **cd_photo** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:17 pm

No idling (or otherwise running at 11000 rpm. Got it! Thanks for the insight, Falco. The warming up part is something I'm not so good at, as I'm often running late or at the verge of being late. It's bad especially in winter here in the Kootenays. I hit the highway shortly after starting, so the engine gets to revving pretty quickly. I try to stay slower and not rev too high until the temp gets up. But still probably not the best. This year I'm going to use my coolant heater more!

majormalfunction · Post by **majormalfunction** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 1:04 am

i have a remote starter on mine so first start or when its cold its fine
I do a lot of 15 - 20 minute driving so its always on and off
what could be the downfall of that??

prairiefire · Post by **prairiefire** » Thu Jul 14, 2016 9:49 am

My 95 L400 just rolled over 280000 kms. Still going strong!!!

Shaun Van Ramen · Post by **Shaun Van Ramen** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 3:22 pm

I agree with Falco - even in the summer let her warm up. But most recently (in Princeton) over the holidays at -18c it took 20-30 min. to get her warm. And that was after a dozen or so cranks of the starter to get her fired up. I'm just glad I put in a fresh battery last year - that definitely helps.

The down-side is keeping heat in the engine (and also the cab) when rolling down hills in those temps. I have a wind block plate down by the skid pan but that is not enough to keep the heat. Trying to find the proper cold-weather thermostat but nothing so far.

RickJ · Post by **RickJ** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 8:07 pm

FalcoColumbarius wrote:In My Humble Opinion:
I've got a 1992 Starwagon (L300) with a 4D56T Mighty Astron engine. I bought her in January,'08 with 61,XXX kilometres on her. She now has 218,500 kliks on her. This engine (and maybe the 4M40) has a 21:1 compression ratio, they are built strong. Having discussed this with the engineer of the MV Queen Of Naniamo, whose two Mirrlees National KVSSM twin turbo V16 diesel engines were installed in 1964, I'm thinking that my girl's going to last if I look after her. Perhaps there will be a major service at one point, in the meantime I'm checking fluids, joints, grease her every two oil changes, &c.. If you "drive it like you stole it" ~ she won't last, you'll blow the head or something. When you hear expressions like "these engines are bullet proof" ~ remember that these are expressions and they really won't stand up to 50cal, for that matter I doubt they will stand up to .22, at least not the IP. No, if you want them to last ~ drive them like diesel trucks. Gear down when doing big hills, watch your engine temperature, don't try to break any land speed records driving over the Coq. Best to understand your wagon. My old man bought a Mercedes Benz 300D in 1975 and drove her until 2006. The vehicle out lasted the driver.

Your tools are your friends. You look after your friends ~ they look after you.

Falco.

P.S.: I warm her up first start of the day. Takes about four minutes at 1,100* RPM for the coolant temp needle to move, which means the thermostat has opened, which means the engine is now operating at ambient temperature, which is what all the nuts and bolts are torqued for. If you start and go immediately with a cold engine then you will be putting undue stress on an engine that hasn't expanded into operating temperature (rattle, rattle ~ shake, shake...).
*Corrected.

All very good points. I would like to add though, being I spent 8 years as an engineer on the Queen of Nanaimo, I would like to say that we cant really compare the Mirrlees to the Mitsi. The Mirrlees spent their life at 320 max RPM. I am happy to report though that the nanaimo's forward bow thruster diesel engine is a Mitsi S6R MPTA.

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Tue Jan 10, 2017 7:56 pm

Awesome!!!!! Do you know Pat? That guy gave me a a very comprehensive tour and we talked for much of the ride.
I'll bet the Mirrlees don't have aluminium heads, either, nor do the Delicas have the same tonnage as the Naniamo.

Would love to talk with you about those Mirrlees ~ and the bow thruster, for that matter.

Falco.

RickJ · Post by **RickJ** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:59 pm

No, Its been 11 years since I last worked on her. Other ships since. Same company. I did however, spend a month in the drydock on her sister. It was quite fun actually. Almost identical. The biggest difference was that rather than having 3 Caterpillar 398's for the ships service generators, she was fitted with 3 more Mitsi S6R gennis.

Feel free to PM me about the Nanny.. I am happy to answer any questions, of course, if I know the answers :)

VanVonVan · Post by **VanVonVan** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:20 am

I am at about 286,000, I bought my deli at 220,000 and have had it for a few years now. I haven't done anything other than regular maintenance and I see no problems with it going to 400,000. Full synthetic is a must being in Winterpeg. It being -30 this morning, in my garage plugged in, started like a dream.

Pajero · Post by **Pajero** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 8:26 am

My l300 now has 312000 and starts great in the cold was -30 yesterday and even after sitting for 4hrs un plugged it started. Still runs strong...the previous owner replaced head but thats it...

Joe

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