617 timing chain breakage - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

79300sdtd · #1 07-01-2007, 07:33 PM

so here is the situation. car sat for 8 months, new tranny (which is smooth as butter), jumped in and drove 1300 miles nonstop. the last fuel up i heard the timing chain slapping. i thought i could make it the 100 miles to the end of the trip. i was wrong.

I know the worst case and best case senarios. so in preperation for the worst, what all should i plan to do and how long will it take?. Most importantly retiming the IP and restringing the chain.

Thanks in advance.

junqueyardjim · #2 07-01-2007, 08:02 PM

What happened? Did it quit? Did it just continue making noise. Were you doing highway speed and you think it let go? What have you found so far - we aren't good at guessing.

lietuviai · #3 07-01-2007, 08:14 PM

The worst part will probably be bent valves or broken cam followers and to thread in a new chain.

#4 07-01-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79300sdtd

I know the worst case and best case senarios. so in preperation for the worst, what all should i plan to do and how long will it take?

Find a used engine and swap it with your broken engine. About 6-8 hours.

The cost of repairing your engine will likely be more then the price of a good used engine.

t walgamuth · #5 07-01-2007, 09:28 PM

probably broken cam and at least one broken cam tower. possibly bent valves too, and less likely piston damage.

about 1500 to 2000 minimum to repair by an independant mechanic.

good luck

tom w

79300sdtd · #6 07-01-2007, 10:56 PM

i was going 70 down the road on I-70 outside of cleveland, heard one thunk, engine stopped. i did not try to crank it, got out valve cover above the timing chain is cracked from the front to the oil cap. i am going to take off the valve cover tomorrow and hope that not too much damage is done. the camshaft looks straight, but that is looking through the oil cap hole.

just trying o get a guestimate here and hoping for the best ( ie some how the valves still closed at the right times till the engine stopped.)

Scott98 · #7 07-01-2007, 11:16 PM

I wonder if your tensioner failed, causing the chain to loosen and then snap or if the chain itself just snapped? Please let us know what caused it if you can tell.

Scott

79300sdtd · #8 07-01-2007, 11:49 PM

Will do. gonna check it out tomorrow. Fingers crossed that because i did not hear alot of clatter that i did not do any damage to the valves. when it stopped i let it alone to hopfully minimise the damage.

oh i am safe in PA right now.

TheDon · #9 07-01-2007, 11:53 PM

Man that totally sucks.. you waited soo long to get it running..

if the chain is still in one piece you can try and crank the engine over by hand and see if it allows for it to happen.

Who is out in PA that could give our buddy a hand here?

how those euros doin (to lighten things up a bit)

lietuviai · #10 07-02-2007, 12:02 AM

Oh that sucks to be so far from home to have major failure like that.

DrewGerhan · #11 07-02-2007, 12:02 AM

I'm in Cleveland with a known good 617 that is sitting in my garage. For the right price I would sell it. I have the tools and what not to install it. Let me know if you want help.

79300sdtd · #12 07-02-2007, 12:10 AM

don, the euros are not in yet i still have to figure out the wiring for them cause all of the wires were cut.

lietuviai, i have a lot of friends out here, i came back to visit my home town. and all of my family is still here.

young, what would a fair price be? just trying to figure out all my options here first. i have about eveything here too. sans a hoist and the 12pt torx for the headbolts. and i am really good with the transmission

cause i just took it out three weeks ago and put it back in on thursday. I boke down just outside of fairview. exit 198 on I-70.

i get on vacation to work on the car 1500 miles away from where i call home. it is all good though.

thanks all for the prompt help.

DrewGerhan · #13 07-02-2007, 12:19 AM

I honestly don't know what a fair price would be. I have a reciept from the PO for $500 for it. It does need some parts swapped over to it. Glow plugs, water pump, off hand and a good going over to be 100% sure. I know nothing about it except it had 120k when bought and I was told it ran great. I have a cherry picker to use but I dont have the 12pt. I'd rather sell it as a whole rather than just the head. Although I suppose I could.

79300sdtd · #14 07-02-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungBenz

I honestly don't know what a fair price would be. I have a reciept from the PO for $500 for it. It does need some parts swapped over to it. Glow plugs, water pump, off hand and a good going over to be 100% sure. I know nothing about it except it had 120k when bought and I was told it ran great. I have a cherry picker to use but I dont have the 12pt. I'd rather sell it as a whole rather than just the head. Although I suppose I could.

if i bought it for a swap i would prolly just buy the whole thing.the problem lies in that i am just outside of pittsburgh and so is the car. no way to get it over there.

lietuviai · #15 07-02-2007, 12:23 AM

Trev, you couldn't be in a better place then.
Good luck!