YES it is possible to fit a Turbo into an old Hymer, but do I recommend it? NO

I've got the earlier OM617 3litre and a meagre 88hp. I've just replaced the timing chain and tensioner and fitted new nozzles from Bosio into the injectors. Its amazing what that has done to performance, lack of smoke and economy. I'd suggest that anyone with one of the older Merc engines does a simple tune up first.

The timing chain had stretched (probably the original) and was putting the timing out just marginally.

The injector nozzles are just great, the engine runs very smoothly now.

I also checked valve clearances which have not been done for quite a while >50,000kms - not one valve was out of spec.

I've thought about using a SsangYong Musso as a donor as well - but for a rear axle as there are diff locks available.
 
Nice work.

Nice work. I have been scheming of doing the same thing. Could you give us a breakdown of the costs? e.g. how much the new engine was? Would it have saved a lot of work to only put the turbo and pump etc across? Looking forward to hearing more about the results. :)
 
I've got all of 75 stampeding stallions in my non-turbo Ford Transit 2.5Di engine, which has to cope with 2 Tonnes or so of LDV Convoy Hi-Top to haul about.

At one time the lack of go would have had me going :banana:'s ... but not so much now.

Maybe some of it has to do with me being slightly older and less frenetic, more 'chilled' - especially in the camper :drive: ?

I know some of it is the draconian anti-speed war which means more Traps and lower limits, meaning that traffic is coming back to me, rather than me pushing my 75 Dobbins into keeping up with traffic.

Some of it is a trade-off - I like the lack of complication of my engine, associating simplicity with lower cost, easier maintenance and greater reliability - do I want more 'Go' and with it more 'Electronics' and garage bills?

My LDV doesn't have the suspension, brakes and handling to make anything other than a good A Road, Bypass or Motorway something it'd tackle much over 50 - 55mph anyway (it'll do it, but you aren't going to enjoy it and neither will the van). The limit is 60mph on Dual Carriageways anyway, plus faster than that and the fuel consumption takes a hit anyway so what is gained on the road is spent in the Fuel Stop - so 60-ish is a sensible ceiling anyway.

So, while more (in fact SOME) acceleration would be nice (my van does not so much 'accelerate' as 'gather momentum' :D), and hauling up hills with less loss of said momentum and forward motion would be welcome.... I'm just going to take the easy way out and live with it!

That said... I love that fact that there are still clever people out there doing stuff like this. I hope all the time, effort and money spent pays the OP back in miles and smiles - its well earned.
 
i had a automatic Hymer Mercedes S660 which had had a TB turbo retro fitted to the original OM602 engine

i loved that hymer, but with the turbo it gave me barely 13 miles to the gallon when i know a normal 602 engine gives over 20mpg

went to germany to follow the world cup in '06 with it, and over 1200 miles later proved that it really did give me 13! :-(

i sold that 660 with much regret due to the MPG, and got a non turbo version, that gave me, and still gives me, 20mpg +

i couldn't tell any difference between the performance either, both can get to 70 and hold it there on the motorway (most of the time!)

what i have noticed over the years is that the engine seems to return the same MPG whatever driving you're doing
 
We have the S700 on the 410D Transporter Chassis. Same OM602 naturally aspirated engine. 1992

2 year ago while working below the inlet manifold the fitter that does our services, said the vacuum pipes although looking good were soft and needed replacing. He did this and there was a vast improvement in the performance, although I still opted for the crawler lane.

This year in Spain we lost our servo assistance. Rock hard brake pedal and no engine stop. The vacuum (exhauster) pump had failed. We had a new pump fitted 450euro plus fitting and what a difference it made to the vehicles performance. I was able to overtake lorries going up hill and had watch my speed to keep within the limits. As well as assisting the braking the pump has a second function of speed regulation in the fuel pump and powers the engine stop.

Another S700 owner also found that replacing his vacuum pipes made a great difference to the performance of his newly purchased vehicle. That vehicle had been a hire vehicle and was decommissioned because the fitter couldn't find the diagnostic plug and therefor couldn't diagnose why the performance had dropped off.

Both of these jobs are not easy, due to location, but well worth it.
 
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