Agreed, the spring should still be there, only difference between the two is the added ratcheter that prevents potentially jumping chain teeth from cranking/starting with no oil pressure behind or a loss of pressure during operation to keep the chain positively held. if yours is missing that spring, count your stars you had the ratchet type, as it probably has been what is saving your engine every time you started it up.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale