Mercedes-Benz OM639 engine explained

Mercedes-Benz OM639
Manufacturer:Mercedes-Benz
Production:2004–2009
Configuration:Straight-three engine
Displacement:1493cc
Bore:83mm
Stroke:92mm
Block:Aluminium alloy
Head:Aluminium alloy
Valvetrain:DOHC
Compression:18.0:1
Turbocharger:Single-turbo
Fuelsystem:Direct injection Common rail
Fueltype:Diesel
Coolingsystem:Water cooled
Power:NaN0NaN0
Torque:NaN0NaN0

The OM639 is a turbocharged inline-three diesel engine produced by Mercedes-Benz, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors.[1]

Design

The OM639 is based on the four-cylinder OM640 engine and features a dual mass flywheel, exhaust gas recirculation, and Euro 4 emission standard compliance.[2] It is transversely mounted behind the front axle and inclined 60 degrees due to the sandwich floor design used in the Smart and Mitsubishi models,[3] so the engine slides underneath the floorpan instead of into the cabin in the event of a head-on collision to improve safety.[4]

Models

EnginePowerTorqueYears
OM639
DE15 LA R
500NaN0
@ 4,000 rpm
1600NaN0
@ 1,600 rpm
2004–2009
OM639
DE15 LA
700NaN0
@ 4,000 rpm
2100NaN0
@ 1,800 rpm

OM639 DE15 LA R

OM639 DE15 LA

Reception

Due to the relatively low sales of the cars the engine was placed in to (compared to the class leaders), the engine is in a niche between owners.

At the time, the 70 kW version was the world's most powerful three-cylinder passenger car diesel engine. Despite this, it was only used in the Smart Forfour (until discontinuation) and the Mitsubishi Colt (until its facelift in 2008, citing lack of demand[9]). Today, the most powerful three-cylinder passenger car diesel engine is the BMW B37, which achieves 116 hp.

The engine is reliable, with no common issues or widespread issues noted by owners, and no recalls issued.[10]

Lastly, real world MPG is very close to Mitsubishi's numbers out on the road, with it getting over 90% of its rated official MPG of 58.9 rated by owners of the vehicles.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Smart ForFour (2004-) - motoring.com.au. Butler. Glenn. 2004-10-01. motoring.com.au. 2018-07-17. en-US.
  2. Web site: Om639 Engine Internal Combustion Engine Diesel Engine. Scribd. en. 2018-07-17.
  3. News: 2007 Smart Fortwo @ Top Speed. Top Speed. 2018-07-17. en-US.
  4. News: Mercedes cuts sandwich but B-class still tempts appetite. 2012-04-14. The National Business Review. 2018-07-17. en. 2018-07-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20180706104044/https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/mercedes-cuts-sandwich-b-class-still-tempts-appetite-116687. dead.
  5. Web site: Smart Forfour (2004 - 2007) used car review Car review RAC Drive. www.rac.co.uk. en. 2018-07-17. 2018-07-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717183440/https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/smart/forfour/207455/. dead.
  6. Web site: Smart Forfour 1.5 Brabus review Autocar. www.autocar.co.uk. en. 2018-07-17.
  7. News: 2006 Smart Forfour @ Top Speed. Top Speed. 2018-07-17. en-US.
  8. Web site: Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 Di-D review Autocar. www.autocar.co.uk. en. 2018-07-17.
  9. Web site: Used Mitsubishi Colt Hatchback (2004 - 2013) Engines Parkers. 2020-08-24. www.parkers.co.uk.
  10. Web site: Mitsubishi Colt Recall List. 2020-08-24. www.vehicle-recall.co.uk. en-gb.
  11. Web site: Mitsubishi Colt (2004 - 2008) 1.5 DI-D - Real MPG Honest John. 2020-08-24. www.honestjohn.co.uk.