I have a bias against VW engines just because they involve a gaggle of wires and a timing belt which can swallow rocks like a crack dealer and cause seizures.
OM617 engines were built for Somali warlords and are overbuilt. Actually overbuilt is an understatement. No electronics, enclosed timing case, oil cooled pistons, Ti nitride crank, rods made from some clandestine German steel recipe, WET BORE read SLEEVED cylinders (Cummins B series are parent bore aka Bored into the block) Famously bulletproof Mercedes cam train (wide cam lobes, was copied by Datsun)
>>Check the timing chain stretch cuz it will dog you >>Run it cuz Mohammed Farrah Aidid wouldn't run a VW >>Make sure you run Diesel oil
https://mercedessource.com/store/617-turbo-diesel-timing-chain-replacement-kithttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_OM617_engine
