unfortunatly these are interference engines so you'll need the top end of the engine rebuilt and POSSIBLY the pistons. My uncle blew a timing chain on a 617 and I'm not sure the extent of the rebuild, I think it was just the top half

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

Could it be when he swapped sides on the sprocket, he lost crank/valve timing? thats what I'm putting my $ on.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

That mechanic messed up. After seeing what he saw, putting it back together with worn chain, then claiming "chains break!!! WTF!!!

Not cool.

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

There was a sequence of events which caused this, it is not just one man's fault.

The first cause was whoever installed that sprocket incorrectly. The second cause was being driven that way over that extent of time, allowing the chain to wear on things and become accustomed and worn to the irregular stress pattern, probably causing uneven stretch from one side of it to the other and causing it to wear more on one side. The 3rd cause was failing to tell the mechanic that it WILL be replaced now regardless of his opinion because we all know how parts that have been run in compromised situations are now compromised parts. Lastly, straightening the sprocket disturbed the chain, and now reset it to the original wear pattern, which it was not used to, and now placing a new stress pattern on a likely weakened chain due to improper wear, aside from now being made to want to ride out of the grooves it had most recently worn into the tensioner pads.
What I'm saying is, it was damaged, it was weak, and may or may not have lasted a while as it was had it been left alone, but it was only borrowed time, and halfway fixing it is exactly just that.

The circumstances suck, and you might be able to convince them to absorb it, not likely, but you might be able to get a bit of a discount at least. That mechanic can suggest things, but ultimately it is the owners responsibility to choose the work he does/does not want done. The true realistically liable party for this happening was the one that created the initial sprocket problem.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

Another vote for doing your own work. Things can still go wrong but at least the costs are usually more controlled and you only have yourself to blame then.
My guess is when the chain was running one side was wearing against metal as you stated. As soon as it was runnning straight a link with the ends ground down pretty bad slid back out. Whatever tension was holding the link in was removed. A good visual inspection of the chain might have seen the problem.
The real fault here was at some time someone did not assemble the engine properly. Too bad you have to bear the ultimate cost of that.
Also since the chain was rubbing on one side eventually it would have failed probably even if left as it was. I also understand how tough it is when these situations arise.

That's true, it's really hard to force somebody to fix something they messed up on. I've been there, done that, too. I guess the next thing to do now is to have it done right this time. Bong, who did the work if I may ask?

I was also wondering about the sprocket that was not installed properly, and why his answer was like it was a common thing to happen?

The iron filings may already be in the oil pan. Although it has a screen for the oil pump, I would still pull down the pan and check to be sure.

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The Philippines explains the $12 cost to have a Mechanic do the valve adjustment.
My Wife (12 years now) is from the Philippines and I have spent about 60 days there. During that time every car (especially Taxies) I rode in had badly slipping clutches and a multitude of other problems. The impression that I got is that if the vehicle moves at all nothing is going to be fixed.
My Wife also tells me that unless a Doctor did something extremely out of line (like Murder) there is not even possible to sue for malpractice in the Philippines.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I'm stupid!!!! I didn't realize his location.
Note to arse: Please remove head immediately.........

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

How common are 617 diesels over there, Its alot harder to screw up and engine swap vs an top rebuild. here in canada, you could find a half decent 200 mile motor for about $600 (usually attached to a rust bucket).
A swap is only about a days work.

Since labour should be cheap, id rather pay for a swap than a tear down,

Its pretty clear that the mechanic should have replaced the chain, but since he didn't and the damage is now done, I doubt hes gonna do anything about it.

Good luck.

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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

The non turbo is more common than the turbo which is the most desired of the diesels. So the prices tend to soar if you want to get a used turbo engine and considering they only made that engine in the US and in very rare European cases, it's not too common to have them in Manila. Even if labor is cheap the cost of the new engine offsets it so it balances out. Tough choice huh?

Anyway I hope Bong finds a solution to it. Let's wait for his reply

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That is why the mechanic is very cautious when he turned the sprocket so as not to affect timing. They claimed that it should have not started and idled smoothly if something was wrong.

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I have already given them $400 to buy the parts needed. That is still exclusive of labor charges. I will go there this afternoon and see how things are working around. This is a lesson learned for me of not insisting on replacing the chain. They are the authority on this and I trusted they know better. I will certainly replace it had they suggested. I should have asked for the consequence of a chain break coz had I known I would have insisted that it be replaced.

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Bong I guess at this point it's safe to say there probably wasn't anything wrong - everything was done right - but maybe the timing chain was just at the point of breaking and it was just the right time for it to go. Sadly that equates to being the wrong time for it to break for you.

How many miles does your car have?

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I have no idea who did the wrong installation from the PO. If you are asking who is doing it now? Still the same mechanic. The reason I did not post this at mbclub.ph is because I don't want this to be misinterpreted if it comes to his knowledge. He is not into internet but other members might blow it out of proportion. I am trying to be objective as I read other peoples opinion about my situation.

My idea is they probably have encountered a few cases done by other not so familiar mechanics. It probably happens when people have other cars of other make and they let their non-mb mechanic fix their mb. Until it finally lands in their shop.

I would have the oil changed and the pan checked.

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That observation is so true. You just have to choose a newer model of taxi to flag down.
And even if a doctor has "murdered" a patient, they usually get away with it.

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