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  #1  
Old 06-11-2001, 05:21 PM
Gregg Vurbeff
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Greetings! My wife's 84 300TD has 205,000 miles on it and we are about to take it on a trip up to Colorado (with the four kids and our dog!). I asked my mech. about how often the timing chain needs to be replaced?? He said that Mercedes rec. every 100k but didn't seem that interested in replacing the chain for $495!! The engine is really tight and burns not a drop of oil! My poor old 78 300d burns about 3/4 every 500 miles. Every now and then I look for a up-to-date model (1984) but have yet to find one in as nice of shape as my 1978. Hey I could go on and on.... But I do love it when I drive up to the gas station here in San Diego and have to only pay $1.55 a gal. compared to $2.10 for normal unleaded. I LOVE IT!! Sorry, I need to stop! Thanks for your wisdom..

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  #2  
Old 06-12-2001, 10:11 PM
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"Mercedes rec. every 100k" is incorrect for the 617 engine, only certain gasoline models of Mercedes.

David
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  #3  
Old 06-17-2001, 10:04 PM
fryerpowered
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timing chain

I aquired a 300TD-T a couple of months back and it came with a huge thick three ring binder full of stamps and maint. schedules etc. from the time the car was new. After going through it I noticed that the same Mercedes Shop had performed all the Maint. for the last 15 years. So, I called them and inquired about the fact that the car still had the original timing chain and the injectors were in fact also the original ones installed in Germany. The answer was " Sir, if the car isn't loping at an idle and isn't smoking excessively, and your fuel consumption hasn't changed significantly, then you don't need to replace either of these items" Look, I'm NOT stupid. I'm a pretty fair diesel head too! This car has 352K on the odometer and it's still on the original chain and injectors!!! The injectors haven't been pulled and checked for pattern or pressure either! Sir," If your not loping at an idle...." I guess I have a lot to learn/relearn about diesel engines???? I pull my injectors every 60K on the VW per the Bently maunual and test them, wonder if it's really neccessary?
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Old 06-18-2001, 02:40 AM
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FryerPowered,

A question. When you take off the valve cover to do a valve adjustment (if you have not already done so) I am curious as to how much chain stretch there is. The reason I’m asking is that my newly acquired 300D with 198,000 miles showed absolutely ZERO chain stretch. I don’t know if this is the original chain, but I’m pretty sure that it is. I wonder what other people’s experiences are with the Mileage/Stretch ‘ratio’. Anyone want to pipe in on this one?

Thanks Everyone!
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  #5  
Old 06-18-2001, 06:28 AM
engatwork's Avatar
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I replaced the timing chain on my 300D at around 219k miles after purchasing the car with 217k miles on it. I checked it and it looked like the chain was stretched to the point where the crankshaft pulley was showing (if I remember correctly) around 3 or 4 degrees off when the cam indicator was centered. I went ahead and changed it just because I could. Changed the tensioner too. The rails looked fine. When I completed the job the cam indicator was aligned with the crank at 0 degrees. Car runs great now
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  #6  
Old 06-18-2001, 07:27 AM
LarryBible
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My experience with 123 diesels is that if you are changing oil frequently which prevents a buildup of microscopic particulate in the oil, the chain will outlast everything else in the engine.

My 240D went to 380,000 miles on the original chain. Even at that point there was no stretch. I've had a number of other 123 diesels and have never replaced a chain.

Change oil hot and change oil often,
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  #7  
Old 06-20-2001, 03:04 PM
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Replace Timing Chain??

I just had the timing chain, tensioner, banana rail, upper slide rail, pressure spring and the 2 upper sprockets changed at 375,000. All of these items were original. Due to age, mileage and stretch 5 degrees it was probably time. If your chain stretch is under 5 degrees and you change the oil regularlly you are OK. At the same time, the injectors were changed, also original. Generally I have heard injectors are good for 200,000 plus. I think I was pushing it. Also had the new model of rack dampener bolt changed, $18 item. Engine runs great. I'm getting better mileage, engine is quieter. Idles more smoothly due to injectors and new mod bolt. The 5 cylinder diesels are very easy on their timing chains. Keep an eye on the stretch degrees.

Eric Eliel
377,000 84 300D
Original Engine
Original Trans.
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  #8  
Old 06-21-2001, 10:24 AM
headstill
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Rookie question

How do you deturmine the chain stretch once the valve cover is off?thanks for any help.
300CD in SC
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  #9  
Old 06-21-2001, 12:41 PM
Icesailor
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headstill,

On a 1982 300D turbo, I cannot speak for other engines:
Line up the timing mark on the cam sprocket washer (the washer seen between cam sprocket and cam bearing mount) with the mark on the cam bearing mount, then look at the timing mark on the crank balancer and any deviation on the crank balancer from TDC indicates the degree measurement you are looking for.

Rick
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Old 06-21-2001, 01:23 PM
LarryBible
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Simply lining up the marks on damper and cam does not give you an adequately accurate indication of timing chain stretch. These marks are simply put there to be close enough to see that you get the chain on the right teeth of the sprockets.

There is a procedure in the repair and overhaul manual that tells you the exact measurement with a dial indicator over one of the number one lobes.

That said, if you hand turn the engine clockwise, slowly to top dead center on the balancer while on the compression stroke, stop exactly at the TDC mark and then look at the cam, if the mark on the cam is PERFECTLY lined up, you are most likely okay. If it is trailing behind the perfect match of sprocket mark and cam bearing stand mark, follow the dial indicator procedure to know for sure, or replace the chain.

Good luck,
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  #11  
Old 04-22-2004, 07:32 PM
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Quote:
That said, if you hand turn the engine clockwise,
Clockwise when seen from front to rear (I stand in front of the car seeing the steetring wheel)?

Which part should I hold with my hand to rotate the crank?

When I put the cam cover back, what is the recommended torque?

By the way, mine has some pipe above the cam cover. Is it a job for novice to remove and replace the pipe?

Thanks.
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124.128 chassis, 602.962 engine, 722.418 tranny.
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  #12  
Old 04-22-2004, 07:49 PM
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I think the engine that they were refering to was the 3.0L 5 cylinder diesel. I don't know if you would check your '92 2.5L engine the same way as you would the 3.0L.
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84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012
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  #13  
Old 04-22-2004, 11:59 PM
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Zen And The Art Of Diesel
 
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Re: timing chain

Quote:
[i] I pull my injectors every 60K on the VW per the Bently maunual and test them, wonder if it's really neccessary? [/B]
I get 200-300K using clean fuel, timely filter replacement, a heavy foot, and ocasional fuel additive. The 81 is aproaching 600K miles and is probibly about due again. I've learned to leave well enough alone with most diesels.

The 300D at 255K has the original injectors and glow plugs, all is well, but replacement would not hurt I imagine. Have yet to check chain stretch, but running something like that past 300K worries me for no good reason. Shame it's a little $.

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