Mercedes M274 gasoline engines with a capacity of 1.6 and 2.0 liters have been produced by the concern since 2011 and installed in cars with longitudinal arrangement of the engine, such as C-Class and E-Class. Similar motors for models with transversal arrangement of the unit have the index M270.
Technical characteristics of Mercedes M274 engines
| Modification | Type | Volume (cm³) | Power (hp) | Torque (Nm) | Compression Ratio | Environmental regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M 274 DE 16 AL (160, 180) | Royal | 1595 | 129 – 156 | 210 – 250 | 10.3 | EURO 5/6 |
| M 274 DE 20 AL (200, 250, 300) | Ready | 1991 | 156 – 245 | 270 – 370 | 9.8 | Euro 5/6 |
| M 274 DE 20 AL Hybrid (300 e, 350 e) | Ready | 1991 | 279 – 333* | 600 – 700* | 9.8 | Euro 5/6 |
*Total power and torque including electric motor.
The weight of the M274 engine according to the catalog is 137 kg.
Application of the M274 engine
M274 series engines have been used on the following models:
- Mercedes C-Class W204 (2012-2015)
- Mercedes C-Class W205 (2014-2020)
- Mercedes E-Class W212 (2013-2016)
- Mercedes E-Class W213 (2016-present)
- GLK-Class X204 (2013-2015)
- GLC-Class X253 (2015-present)
- GLE-Class W167 (2019-present)
- SLC-Class R172 (2015-2020)
- V-Class W447 (2015-2019)
- Infiniti Q50 1 (V37) (2014-2020)
- Infiniti Q60 2 (CV37) (2016-2022)
- Infiniti Q70 1 (Y51) (2018-2022)
Mercedes M274 engine construction and repair
The 4-cylinder M274 series was launched in 2011 and consisted of a 2-liter and a small 1.6-liter motor. We wrote about the M274 2.0 here, and we will talk about the smaller counterpart below.
This motor replaced the M271 KE16 and DE18 (both with 156 hp) and has an aluminum cylinder block with cast iron liners, and the cylinder diameter here is 83 mm. In the block is a short crankshaft with a stroke of 73.7 mm, this allows you to get a volume of 1.6 liters.
The cylinder head is made of aluminum, has 2 camshafts and 16 valves. Both camshafts have a variable camshaft timing system. The intake passages are 31.5 mm, the exhaust passages are 25 mm and the rod diameter is 6 mm.
The camshafts rotate with the help of timing chain, which resource is on average 100 thousand kilometers, but, with careful attitude, can go significantly more.
Direct fuel injection with piezo injectors is used here.
As it is a turbocharged motor, there is a turbocharger IHI AL0070, which creates pressure up to 1 bar, which allows to develop 156 horses. And controls all this hardware control unit Bosch MED 17.7.2.
For cars with all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive is produced version M270 for transverse installation, which had the designation M270.910. It had 156 hp variants for the Mercedes-Benz CLA 200, GLA 200, A200, B200; 122 hp (boost pressure reduced to 0.6 bar at peak) for cars with the numeral 180 on the trunk lid (Mercedes-Benz CLA 180, GLA 180, A180, B180), and 102 hp for the semi-live ones – A160 and B160.
The motor for classic rear-wheel drive Mercedes was designated as M274.910, had 156 hp and was put in C180, E180 and SLC 180. A special version with as much as 129 hp was intended for the Mercedes-Benz C160 W205.
All powertrains are identical in iron and differ in software, which allows firmware to add power to stifled modifications.
The year 2018 marked the release of the next generation of Mercedes-Benz engines for the youngest models called M282.
Mercedes M274 engine service regulations
| Service | Periodicity |
|---|---|
| Oil service | every 15,000 km (6.0 – 7.0 liters*) |
| Oil filter | every 15,000 km |
| Air filter | every 15,000 km |
| Fuel filter | every 120,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 60,000 km |
| Auxiliary belt | every 120,000 km |
| Coolant | every 2 years or 30,000 km |
*Oil volume depends on the version: 7.2 to 8.2 liters.
Failures and problems of the M 274 engine
Phase adjusters cracking
In the engines up to 2014, the phase adjusters began to crack quite quickly, then the manufacturer finalized the design and the resource increased to 150 – 200 thousand km. At about the same mileage, the grm chain is pulled out and many change them at the same time.
Displacement of the impulse disk
Many owners of cars with the motor of this family complain about problems with starting and the main reason is the displacement of the impulse disk relative to the axis of the camshaft. This is usually signaled by an error on the camshaft position sensor.
Piston failure
In 2015, the engines of this series were modernized and became a little more economical, but this led to more frequent occurrence of detonation with piston destruction. The direct injection piezo nozzles are also badly affected by poor quality fuel.
Engine overheating
It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the cooling system of the power unit, as the block head here can lead even from not very long overheating. The problem is aggravated by the rather low reliability of the thermostat and water pump.
Other breakdowns
Regularly occur leaks from under the valve cover due to a jammed valve VKG, as well as from under the front oil seal of the crankshaft or the gasket of the heat exchanger. Due to broken wiring, the variable capacity oil pump valve hangs up, the adsorber quickly clogs, fuel hoses often flow and the turbine actuator jams.
The manufacturer claims the life of the M274 engine at 220,000 km, but it lasts up to 300,000 km.