I have 1982 240D that was runnig fine until one Sunday morning, right in the middle of the road it stopped with a big thud. After towing to a near by garage, mechanic told me that timing chain is broken. He also told me that he did compression test (with water I believe) and I need to change the whole engine because the valves are damaged.
My question is: Is it true that when timing chain breaks, it damages valves and then replacing/reconditiong valves is less economical than replacing the engine?
Some other mechanic told me that generally for diese Benz, clearance is very small and hence valves get damaged but not in case of 240D because it is not high powered.

If I have to replace the engine, does any one have it and how much should I pay and what should I look out for while buying?

I am completely newbie and I bought this can because of EXCELLENT interior and exterion condition. It had 193,000 miles when I bought and I ran it for 2000 miles in one year on WVO and diese 50% - 50% mix.

Any help is appreciated.

How could he do a compression check on an engine with a broken timing chain?

To answer you, yes, the valves will be damaged as it is an interference engine, meaning you do get valve and piston contact when a timing chain breaks.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

That's thing that bothers me. I think, he is telling me that engine needs to be replaced so that he can chanrge me a fat labor to install a new engine.

I am sure that he did not replace timing chain because I asked him to give me an estimate JUST to replace the timing chain. I am at the crossroad now. If I spend the money to replace timing chain to do the compression test and valves are indeed damaged then I am wasting money. What is your suggestion? Just replace the engine as chanes of valves being damaged are 100%. Please let me know.

Most importantly, thanks for your prompt reply.

I would look for a used engine to put in. Other Forum members will also chime in.

To get accurate compression readings, a new timing chain would have to be installed, and timing set correctly on the engine and the IP (only for proper fueling on the IP).

Some people get lucky and no damage, but that tends happens only if the engine is idling.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

If the chain broke, I think your best bet is to replace it with a used engine. A used engine could probably be found for around $500.
Given what your mechanic said, I think you need to confirm the diagnosis. he probably has the valve cover off so you should be able to see the missing chai

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If you're not able to make a personal determination that you need to replace your engine, you may not be willing to attempt the task of removing and replacing your engine, much less paying someone else to do the job, which may render you upside down financially.

I've been looking for a 240D with a bad engine. I recently missed out on a 240D with a broken timing chain. I had assumed it needed a new engine based on the owner's description. Was sold before I could get there.

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This area is typically used to brag about one's current or former automobiles.

No, I am not going to do it myself because I can't and I don't know how to. I have located an engine but individual is asking $1000 which way too much. More over, what should I look out for while buying used engine from an individual like does it drip oil, when was timing chain replaced the last time, etc. Any suggesteion?


Kerry: Thanks for your input but I looked at the car and mechanic did not open the head (he dod not have valve cover off).

I don't trust this mechanic of yours any further than I can throw a piano. I think you should find a new mechanic, or have the thing towed home so you can evaluate it yourself.

That much being said, if the timing chain is broken, a used engine is probably your best bet.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I think you should get a clear explanation of how your mechanic determined the chain broke.

You could rotate the engine with a 22mm socket off of the power steering pump slowly, to determine if the valves are hitting the tops of the pistons.

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

First off, welcome. This is the most friendly, and helpful MB site around.

You should include your location in your profile or signature, just somewhere so that it appears when you post.

You never know, you might be close to a forum member who is willing and able to help you out. As it is we have no idea where you might be. Most of us work on our own cars for several reasons:
1) We enjoy it--it can be therapeutic
2) We can't afford to pay someone else to maintain a MB.
3) We've had it with stupid "professional" mechanics who over charge, and then do not do the job properly.

These cars can be expensive to maintain. Its best if you can do some, or even all of your own work.

Is it a lack of knowledge, or space, or tools, or desire that keeps you from wanting to do your own work. Be honest--the people here can help with almost anything except the lack of desire.
I agree with the above posts that express a degree of doubt of you current mechanic's ethics, or abilities.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

The only explanation given to me was that he ran a water hose and tested it for compression. No other explanation and I was no comfortable accepting that explanation.

Thanks for an excellent suggestion of disclosing location. I will edit my signature accordingly. I am in Daytona Beach, FL area.
I work from 7 AM to 8 PM 7 days a weeks and that is the prime reason I cannot work on MB myself, seconf I don't have knowledge and tools to do it. If any fellow in my area is willing to help me, I will pay him. PM me.

When chain breaks on OM.616 (240D) or any OM.61x engine- the pistons will hit the valves that are open at the time.

Often the force is sufficient to break the camshaft and maybe even the bearing-towers that carry the camshaft.

Expect between 2 and 6 valves to be bent, possibly the guides cracked as well...

Whats more worrying--IF you were to attempt repair of existing engine--is the state of the pistons and connecting-rods and their bearings, as the force that they would have sustained in the impact is tremendous...

So, IF The Chain Broke, Its not unreasonable to expect to replace the entire engine, as repairing the original could well be much more expensive...

(In the UK, we have a Very common small diesel engine, -the Peugeot XUD9- a 2 litre engine used in a lot of makes. This has a belt driven cam. This often breaks and destroys the cam.
--But the cam is a Lot more 'feeble' than an M.B. cam and breaks more easily.--Often a replacement cam and bearing-caps will restore complete operation, no bent valves or other damage amazingly. I know of at least 10 engines this has happened to and just a belt, cam and a few other parts fixed 'em--Main difference being, The Cam is Fragile in comparison to the Cam in the M.B.)

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http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...0TDnoplate.jpg

Alastair AKA H.C.II South Wales, U.K. based member

W123, 1985 300TD Wagon, 256K,
-Most recent M.B. purchase, Cost-a-plenty, Gulps BioDiesel extravagantly, and I love it like an old dog.

W114, 1975 280E Custard Yellow,
-Great above decks needs chassis welding--Really will do it this year....

What are the possibility of replacing 240D engine with 300D non turbo engine? Do I have to change the transmission also or only flywheel? I am trying to explore various routs because individual wants $650 for engine and NO guarantee/warranty. Any feedback/suggestion is highly appreciated from newbie.

I don't trust this mechanic any further than I can throw Skippy AND the piano.
Testing compression with water? Huh? Hmmmm.....Was it distilled water? lol?

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6