Help, Engine swap, w201 1988 190e swapping 2.0 for a 1.8

[Edward Whittaker]

Hi all, I've recently started restoration on my 1988 w201 190e and I have a few questions,

Can I swap the 2.0 with a 1.8 without any modifications etc?

What's the difference if any in these engines?

(this would be a short to mid term change whilst I rebuild the original unit to refit)

I've tried getting the engine running, it started after a lot of turning, was very very rough then as soon as accelerated would cut out, managed to get it revving for a while but was still rough, thought it was fuel distributor so tried rebuilding it but made it worse I think, now it won't start at all, wanted to swap out the engine and maybe do a full rebuild of the original one.

Thank you very much for any help you can offer.

 

[brianbrian]

Why not get the engine running first?

 

[Edward Whittaker]

Why not get the engine running first?

Hi there, well I'm not a 100% on the issue, it could be anyone of the electronic components on the intake manifold which I'm unsure how to diagnose, and I would now probably need to get a refurbished fuel distributor, as I think I messed it up (unless anyone has an comprehensive rebuild guide for me lol)

 

[brianbrian]

You could have problems with another engine, try with the engine you have, EBay will have the parts you need.

 

[LostKiwi]

Engine swaps are fraught with pitfalls such as things not lining up, fouling other parts, not fitting etc.
Fix what you have or swap like for like (but only if the engine codes match).
Swapping like for like also means you have a complete set of spares (sensors, manifolds, injectors, fuel distributor etc).

 

[Edward Whittaker]

Hi all, thanks for your advice, the issue is I'm not finding any 2.0's available, I was hoping the 1.8 would be essentially the same engine but I'm not 100%, I have a 1.8 coming I could use from a donor car that I purchased for the interior,

thanks again,

If anyone has any ideas on something to try to get the 2.0 going (maybe a common electrical component? It's definitely getting a spark, I'm fairly confident it's a fueling issue of some sort.

Or

Any more information on the difference between the 2.0 and the 1.8 engines I would really appreciate it

 

[Edward Whittaker]

Any more advice anyone?

Thank you

 

[LostKiwi]

Sorry, no idea what the differences are and there could be differences even between 1.8s and 2.0 engines.
My own m119 V8 has many differences depending on age, varying from mechanical/electronic injection, distributors or coil on plug, open or closed deck blocks for example and that's all within the same engines used in the same model of car.