oil chain?

[lefttownlance]

I'm wondering if there is a oil chain on my 81 300SD? I read a thread that there is a oil chain on this engine.Has there been any problems with this application? How long does a person have to worry untill possible reliabilty issues? My has 225,000 miles.Also if there is a chain I am assuming there will be a tentioner involved and what kind of life can I expect out of that part?Also is the tentioner difficult to change if need be?

[Matt L]

I thought it had no tensioner. It's a short chain. I've had and read of no problems with this chain, but have read a post here of someone shearing the key on the pump sprocket (from injesting metal).

[Pete Burton]

There is a chain that runs from a crank sprocket to the oil pump. It is just outboard of the timing chain. The tensioner is typically what will wear out first. If you are concerned about it, it is easily reached and changed. You remove the lower oil pan. Replace the tensioning plate, spring and pivot pin clip as well as the lower pan gasket. These parts are not expensive. When I rebuilt my engine at 248K, the spring had worn through the plate, at least 1/2 the spring diameter was worn through where it pushed on the plate and the clip was heavily worn too.