Timing chain, replace it at 5* stretch now? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #8 01-22-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBNRA

I'm looking at the timing mark on the Camshaft and lining it up with the matchmark on the cam tower while rotating the engine in the normal direction of rotation by turning it at the crank pully. When the Camshaft mark lines up at the cam tower, the harmonic balancer marks are 5* degress late, maybe a slight bit less.

First this not an indication of stretch, this is cam timing. There is like a 4* or more error margin the way you have measured it. Measure it with 2mm lift method. There is no need to replace the chain, bad crimps (common enough) lead to short lifespans. They make offset keys for this purpose and there is no need to crack the chain. There is no specified replacement interval in the FSM, I think they expect the chain to last all the way to the last offset key. Not that I would go that far but I believe 6* is the first offset, you are in spec but if you have the time its probably worth it.