602 Timing Chain--Ever See One Break?
 

EXCLUDING the 602 engines that came from the factory with a defective timing chain (there was a service bulletin on this....mainly 1993 cars affected, if I remember correctly), has anyone seen the timing chain on a 602 engine break? If so, what were the circumstances (e.g. mileage, oil change regularity, etc...).

Thanks.

I havent seen one break but I did do one on a car with 111K on it, due to the horrible noise it was making, the chain turned out to be badly worn- after replacing it I saw "made in japan" stamped all over it. who knows when it was put in on a car with such low mileage, but surprising to see anyways.

Yep, mine this past weekend. 1993 300D 2.5 turbo. I actually had the chain inspected about 3 months ago (4 degrees of stretch). I was ready to replace it at the time, but my MB diesel specialist talked me out of it....I must have really pissed someone off in a previous life. Perfect car except for the toasted engine.

OUCH! That hurts.

How many miles on it? What was the oil history (type of oil, frequency of change)?

Since it's a 1993, are you confident that it was not in the range of units produced with the bad timing chain from the factory?

I have owned the car for about 1.5 years and have run Mobile 1 turbo diesel religiously at 3K mile increments. The car has around 170,000 miles on it.

It appears I am the 3rd owner. I do not have all the service records from the previous owners, but it at least appears the original owner took care of it pretty well as documented in factory service record book (MB stamps) up to around 80K miles. Not sure whether the chain was original or not (I didn't even think to review the service record book to see if any record of it...another oops on my part I suppose). My mechanic is currently looking at it to try to determine if the chain broke first, or something else broke followed by the chain.

So are you looking at engine rebuild or engine replacement? What's the extent of the damage? I'm really interested in this issue, having gone back and forth and (currently) deciding not to replace mine.

I just did a lot of work on my '87 190D. Original chain, as far as I know (but now I realize that I have no reason to know that it wasn't changed before). About 180K miles on it, zero degrees stretch. I use Mobil 1, don't know about the PO. I've had the car for about 25k miles.

I am waiting to hear back from the mechanic as to how bad the actual damage is. The car has a fresh transmission rebuild that still has 12K miles of warranty and everything else is in really good shape, so it is hard to push it off a cliff. The prospect of spending $4-5K (from what I've read) for a rebuild makes me sick.....current gut reaction is that the car is destined for salvage.

Nice used (but not abused) engine
 

svengruber,

A slightly used engine...You really have to look hard and long for one.
(Took me Years)

CI,

Thanks, that confirms what I figured. You don't see very many rear-end crashed 2.5 TD's. There doesn't appear any remotely cost effective way out of this problem without pulling the sheet over the patient.

602 Timing Chain Catatrophe
 

Thank God ,No

But,I've got a 602 that had it's Oil Pump Sprocket Bolt "back out"
(Almost as Bad) [I've heard of this happening to other owners!]

First thing I'm gonna do to the replacement engine is Loctite that bolt in.

Where are you located Sven? Some of us are suckers for buying patients for our transplant program.

Raleigh, NC

FWIW, if it were my car, I'd pay for a rebuild. If the rest of the car is in great shape (including a recently rebuilt tranny), and then to have in effect a new engine, $4-5,000, even though a lot of money in and of itself, is not bad for a used car in great condition. The assumption being that, if you don't fix this car, you'll have to buy another one (which may or may not be true).