I just checked the chain stretch on Karl and either I have 0° or 1.5° as I am unsure of which side of the arrow to believe.

Also, are there any ways to identify a stock chain versus a replaced one? I have some orange paint marks under there and it seems to me that the car wouldn't leave MB like that...

Lastly, how can you tell the tensioner is acting up or working properly?

Thanks

__________________
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]

Here are the pics I took, best I could get.

__________________
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]

First I would like to ask what method did you use to determine stretch?
I don't see a dial indicator so I'll just assume you used the marks on the sprocket. It also doesn't look like they are lined up right.
That said it looks like the timing indicator is exactly on zero. Figure a slight margin of error and your still in good shape.

I don't know about the orange paint marks on the sprocket do you have any info from the previous owner? Do you know if the woodruff key is stock or if an offset one has been installed? If your not absolutely sure about this then you can't be absolutely sure about the chain stretch.

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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Mine has 3.5-4 degrees of stretch at 254k miles. I used the MB timing tool so I know thats accurite.

If your chain has that little stretch it must have been replace at some point. If you really want to know mark one of the links and rotate the engine around looking for a link that doesn't look the same as the others. Their has to be a master link in their somewhere.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

After I had it buttoned up I noticed the pic didn't show the marks lined up and didn't want to take it off again for a better pic. It took me three tries to get it on the mark.

Nope no info from the PO, just that I know the place(s) that wrenched on the L was beyond stupid. Incorrect bolts, missing brackets, wiring in the wrong places, etc.

Other factors that make me think the chain was replaced was the pin that holds the dampner for the belt was pushed all the way in so to remove the chain guide.

__________________
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]