Mercedes-Benz OM601 engine

Mercedes-Benz OM601 engine

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1983–2001
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz OM612 engine
Displacement	2.0 L (1997 cc) 2.2 L (2197 cc) 2.3 L (2299 cc)
Valvetrain	OHC
Fuel system	Fuel injection
Fuel type	Diesel

The Mercedes-Benz OM601 engine is a 4 cylinder diesel automobile engine that was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz.

Two variants of the engine were built, a 1,977 cc (120.6 cu in) model and a 2,299 cc (140.3 cu in) version built for the US market. Both were rated by the manufacturer for 72 bhp (54 kW) at 4200 RPM and 96 ft·lbf (130 N·m) of torque at 2800 RPM; the increase in displacement reduced emissions in order to meet US automobile emissions requirements.

The OM601 was built with an aluminum head on an iron block.

Common complaints are blown head gaskets and warped cylinder heads due to overheating.

The camshafts and fuel injection pump are driven by a duplex chain from the crankshaft. A separate single row chain drives the oil pump from the crankshaft.

Fuel injection is indirect via a prechamber arrangement. The OM-601's injection pump is a mechanical fuel injection unit with a 5,150 RPM (+ or - 50 RPM) mechanical governor, automatic altitude compensation, and a 'load sensing' automatic idle speed control. The pump is lubricated by a connection to the engine oil circulation.

Use of the block heater was recommended in climates where it drops below 10 °F (−12 °C) for long periods.

In the November 1984 issue of Car and Driver Magazine Brock Yates describes the OM601 powered 190D versus the Gasoline M-102 powered 190E 2.3 around a track as, “…The Diesel is a Diesel. Nothing more nothing less. It is superbly quiet and well mannered as the breed goes…”