When I did mine a couple of years ago I didn't want to take a chance with such a vital part. So I went to the dealer got the chain, guides, and tensioner. Sure I probably paid an extra $100, but if the chain lets go it will cost me at leat $5k to replace the engine.

I also got the proper MB crimper from the tool rental program here.


Don't take chances with the timing chain, this is not the place to save money.


I'm more familer with 603's. On them with good oil changes you will see about 1 degree of stretch every 100k miles. 603's are more picky than 617's with timing, they really need to be dead on +/- 1 degree at most. 617's will be happy 3-4 degrees off, I bet 95% of the people on this forum wouldn't notice the difference. So on a 603 say around 250kish check it, see what you have and change if you need to.

Of course you never have to change it, if you are willing to accept slightly less then perfect preformance you can run the original chain to well over 400k miles; many people do.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

o.o where have you been?

__________________
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

I have a 99 E300 Turbo Diesel with 145,000 on it. How do I know if I should check the chain stretch. At what mileage does everyone recommend looking into this. I've been using synthetics ever since I've owned it (82K) and have no problems starting even in cold weather.

__________________
1999 E300 Turbodiesel
179,000 Miles

Ive been here, where have you been? Workin the corners again for me? Wheres my money?

As to all the timing chain discussion.... Have replaced plenty of motorcycle chains in my life, I know what a worn one looks like. I have yet to see a MB chain I would consider worn. Show me one story of factory chains snapping with a tank full of oil.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

After reading all of the responses I'm leaning toward, It never needs to be changed? Engine running strong (currently at 200,000) It's like my wife " The more I beat her, the better she likes it"

I've repaired 2 engines that snapped the timing chain. I have replaced a number of chains that were stretched more than few degrees.

Run 100k more miles on it, and then ask that queston.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Happens a lot actualy. 617's seem to snap their oil pump chains around 300k, and I have lost track of the number of 602's that have done it.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

This has all the answers you need, some with pictures.

Diesel Timing Chain Link Thread
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/162071-diesel-timing-chain-thread.html#post1251434








Have a great day.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Timing Chains DO NOT STRETCH!!!!

(the rollers and plates wear and increase the clearance between these items)

BUT THEY DON'T STRETCH

(its just easier to say "stretch")

We now bring you back to your regularly scheduled programming

__________________
84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Ive always thought it was a good idea to replace the timing chain when the engine is approaching 300k. My 84 300d was about to get a new chain, then got totaled. But someday, that engine will get a new one before I begin using it again. My uncles td had 250k on it when he snapped his timing chain, he loves the wagon so much hes having the engine rebuilt right now. When he bought the car, it wasn't in that great of shape mechanically, which tells me maybe the engine maintained was neglected, leading to an early timing chain failure.



Ive also heard that when your chain is near snapping, you'll hear a tick, or some strange noise. I believe it though, my uncle had driven the car to our house from LA (400 miles) and it was having that tick before he left. Went home and a week later it snapped.

__________________
1981 300SD 512k OM603

I do think it's prudent to replace them someplace in the 200-250K range (about half the engine life before a full rebuild). Of course, it depends on the overall condition of the vehicle and how long you expect to drive it.

My 300D is on it's third timing chain and second oil pump chain at 416K miles. I replaced the timing chain around 200K (just because) then it was damaged by a vacuum pump incident and replaced again. The oil pump chain was replaced with the oil pump before 400K miles (the pump failed and the chain was in very tough shape, it would have broken soon).

Frequency of oil changes will dictate the usable life of a timing chain as well. The chain wears much faster with infrequent oil changes.

If you leave it in service too long it will make a mess of the sprockets as well. Stretch must be checked periodically.

That is also the only way to tell usually if it has been changed before as most these cars come to us with little or no history. The other reason to check is the tweaked odometers on these cars. Most total indicated miles on the majority of them are not accurate. So it is really unwise to go by indicated milage.