After some reading, thinking, driving, and listening to my motor it appears that the T-chain is ready to be replaced. The vehicle has questionable history for oil changes so no tellling how the soot effected the chain in its life. Also read that the 603 ones usually need to be replaced around 200-250K due to max stretch, so I'm right around that too not to mention how cam timing with IP timing effect the idle...

I figure about $220-225 in parts (chain, guide rails, tensioner, gaskets, beers, etc ).

But the big question is how long should this project take me with the Factory Service Booklets? 3-5 hours?

Thanks for some input...

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Its not too bad. I did one today on a 602, it went a lot quicker than I thought it would. Warranty time is only 1.7 hours
I was surprised, the car I did it on only had 116K (showing) on the odometer, but it definitly wasn't the original chain, unless MB bought timing chains from JAPAN(!) This one ran like crap, hard miss right off idle. Had 5 degrees of stretch.

Definitly get the MB holding tool, it can't be too expensive and will save you the chance of having the chain jump time. its a 602 589 XX XX XX part number...

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I haven't yet needed to replace my timing chain, but I wonder, should not the gear cog's, there are two of them? be also changed?

Listen to me carefully........TURN in a clock-wise direction, your engine crank-shaft...to O--zero position, non less +, or -, now look at your cam shaft position....(got to pull the valve cover, look at the little embossed line) must be straight up (12-O'Clock) you may be able if you are tech, to understand how many degrees-off, or- advanced, your timing chain is! On the pull-directional side ( never reverse-turn) your engine, counter-clockwise, ......go figure...but 4% is within except able parameters...................BB

Oh the book calls for that low of time? That's a plus so it's not too indepth of a swap.

I'll verify before springing but how this car was half maintained... I think that soot got to it.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

It doesn't look to hard I'll be rolling a new one on mine sometime this winter. Dealer quoted me $170 for the chain. For a timing chain I am going to straight to the dealer, I am not taking any chances.

I assume the only guide to replace is the top one that is like $5? The others seem pretty hard to get at. The valve cover gasket isn't expensive I think Fastlane's got them for $20. The gears are metal I would only replace them if they looked worn.

I have no idea of the service history on my engine to 233k miles. However when I got it I looked inside the valve cover and it seemed real clean so the oil was probably changed. I am changing the chain because several people have told me that 603's are not tolerant of any stretch.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

$170 parts and labor? If so, what all parts were on the bill?

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

$170. for parts and labor??

Something is amiss. The chain has to be at least $125. at the dealer.

They have to get two hours for the job at about $100. per.



EDIT: I figured it out. $170. for the part!!

Maybe it was $150 then I don't remember exactly. Labor would be mine, the only labor on the dealers part would be handing it to me over the parts counter.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

See if you can get the M/B p/n. I'll check it out for you.

Ok, I am doing the sunroof/wood over winter break. (Dec-Jan) I'll probably do the chain in Feb. So sometime in the next few months I'll get you the part number if you want, I am really in no hurry as you can see.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I just picked up a new timing chain for my 603 for $160, I'm supposed to put it on this weekend if I can find someone to assist. I also had to get a new cam gear because of some missing teeth, that was $50. I didn't buy guides yet because I haven't figured out how to get them in and out of the engine. Maybe I can get someone to take pictures so I can post a "how not to" on changing out the chain.

__________________
1987 300SDL 167k
1992 Volvo 740 140k
1990 Volvo 740 250k
1989 Volvo 240 269k

Anyone want to trade an old Volvo for an '87 300sdl?

I've found some excellent tutorials on topics such as "glow plug testing" & "installing new timing chain by 'rolling' a new chain in", both with excellent picture's to go with the the text at www.dieselgiant.com . www.peachparts.com might have a similar tutorial. Though my timing chain tutorial from dieselgiant.com was not my 220D, the principle's hold. Number One: Don't drop the chain. Number Two: Don't the split link down into the deep block recesses. The biggest problem in dropping the chain is that if it come's off the injection pump drive gear, the IP needs to be retimed. Retiming the camshaft is easy. Also keep in mind that if your present timing chain looks in good shape, just a few degrees off at the crankshaft, for some models, such as my 220D, there are offset Woodruff Keys with various offsets to bring camshaft timing back to specs or near specs with swapping out the chain. This procedure involves removing the camshaft sprocket (a single bolt & don't drop the washer behind the sprocke when removing) and removing the old key and replacing with the new Woodruff Offset Key. You just need to look at the balancer to determine how much offset you need. Good luck.

The most difficult/unpredictable task is pulling the guide rail pins. Everything else pretty much goes as quickly as you can turn a wrench.

You can drop the chain in a 603. It won't come off the IP or crank sprockets.

Sixto
87 300SDL

The upper chain guide (visible with valve cover off) thrust pin came out easily. The pin for the tension rail took me a day of using washers and a bolt to get out. Next time I'm buying a slide hammer.