Yet Another Chain Stretch Thread

[bluetypewriter]

A few days ago I was double checking my valve adjustment and noticed some marks on the inside of my valve cover where the chain had been rubbing.



I got a few responses in someone else's thread but I promised to take some photos and start a new thread.

Here I did the simple chain stretch test today. Here's the results.





Am I okay? Should I go ahead and replace the chain, tensioner, tensioner rail, tensioner gasket, and tensioner spring?

[vstech]

that looks dead on. I'd say it's wear from a previous problem. in other words somebody already fixed what caused the issue.
does the chain feel tight on the gear? looking down into the chasm, do you see any broken parts?

[bluetypewriter]

Originally Posted by vstech

that looks dead on. I'd say it's wear from a previous problem. in other words somebody already fixed what caused the issue.
does the chain feel tight on the gear? looking down into the chasm, do you see any broken parts?

I haven't noticed any broken part and the chain feels pretty tight, but as with most things I'm doing to this car I have nothing to compare it to.

It could be from a previous problem but so many things appear to have never been touched. (Today I found the OEM tool wrap and what possibly is an official Mercedes Benz rain pancho.)

Then again, this car is almost as old as I am. Maybe the chain got loose when I was in the second grade.

[vstech]

the chain rivits don't look uniform. what brand is the chain? do you see IWIS stamped on any of the links? how about the tensioner? does it look smooth, or grooved?

[jkubica]

Originally Posted by bluetypewriter

A few days ago I was double checking my valve adjustment and noticed some marks on the inside of my valve cover where the chain had been rubbing.



I got a few responses in someone else's thread but I promised to take some photos and start a new thread.

Here I did the simple chain stretch test today. Here's the results.





Am I okay? Should I go ahead and replace the chain, tensioner, tensioner rail, tensioner gasket, and tensioner spring?

Hi
I also would like to check my chain stretch on my 1985 300td (617) - but can't seem to find the timing marks. Have you removed something in order see yours in the picture? Am I correct that you took the picture from the top?

I asked for help on this with another thread but was beat upon and locked out for the sin of failing to state the year and model of my car.

All help appreciated!
Joseph

[vstech]

in his pic, he removed the SLS pump from the head to get the pic.
of course, he also removed the valve cover... but you knew that right?

[bluetypewriter]

Originally Posted by vstech

in his pic, he removed the SLS pump from the head to get the pic.
of course, he also removed the valve cover... but you knew that right?

I removed the SLS pump to rebuild it, but it helped me take a better picture too.

Yes, this is from above. If you look at the photo you can see the double alternator belt. That should help you find the timing marks. My marks were covered in oil so I had to clean them off, maybe yours are too.

[jkubica]

Originally Posted by vstech

in his pic, he removed the SLS pump from the head to get the pic.
of course, he also removed the valve cover... but you knew that right?

Hi
Removing the valve cover is for seeing the cam sprocket/tower marks rather than helping see the crankshaft damper timing marks - right?
Thanks,
Joseph

[vstech]

yup.

[bluetypewriter]

Originally Posted by jkubica

Hi
Removing the valve cover is for seeing the cam sprocket/tower marks rather than helping see the crankshaft damper timing marks - right?
Thanks,
Joseph

These particular marks

[jkubica]

Originally Posted by bluetypewriter

I removed the SLS pump to rebuild it, but it helped me take a better picture too.

Yes, this is from above. If you look at the photo you can see the double alternator belt. That should help you find the timing marks. My marks were covered in oil so I had to clean them off, maybe yours are too.

Hi & thank you,
I still haven't seen the marks but thanks to your help - I know exactly where they are.

As you suggest, the whole thing may be covered by sludge. I'll spray the area with Simple Green and then use the garden hose jet to try to clean things up.

Is pulling the SLS pump much of a problem? New gasket?

Regards,
Joseph

[bluetypewriter]

Originally Posted by jkubica

Hi & thank you,
I still haven't seen the marks but thanks to your help - I know exactly where they are.

As you suggest, the whole thing may be covered by sludge. I'll spray the area with Simple Green and then use the garden hose jet to try to clean things up.

Is pulling the SLS pump much of a problem? New gasket?

Regards,
Joseph

I posted a simple walkthrough regarding SLS pump removal earlier this morning. Search for it.

One tip regarding searching, I like to use the site search, but limit results to only "Titles Only" in "Diesel Discussion." This filters out a bunch of extra results. If I can't find what I'm looking for using this method then I use the Google search of this site.

[jkubica]

Originally Posted by bluetypewriter

I posted a simple walkthrough regarding SLS pump removal earlier this morning. Search for it.

One tip regarding searching, I like to use the site search, but limit results to only "Titles Only" in "Diesel Discussion." This filters out a bunch of extra results. If I can't find what I'm looking for using this method then I use the Google search of this site.

Hi
Thank you very much for your help
Regards,
Joseph

[bluetypewriter]

Originally Posted by vstech

the chain rivits don't look uniform. what brand is the chain? do you see IWIS stamped on any of the links? how about the tensioner? does it look smooth, or grooved?

Lots more photos. Let me know if you want links to the high resolution versions.










Video of me attempting to move the chain. There is a little play when moving it from side to side but almost none to speak up when pulling up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8tVPcsP6I0

The chain is stamped IWIS. I ran out of daylight before I could get to the tensioner but I'll try and get in there tomorrow.

[vstech]

looks good to me. no clue where the marks came from, but not from that chain unless the tensioner is defective. IWIS is a good thing.