Im currently doing a partial overhaul of my OM617.952 engine. It was leaking a lot of oil so I decided to replace all seals and gaskets. I had to pull the crankshaft to do the rear seal so I figured I should replace the timing chain and all sliders/tensioner. Ive been looking for a reasonably priced crimping tool specifically for the OM617 engine but have not been able to locate one.

I found this one that appears to the be the same as the one specifically made for the OM617. I was wondering if any one else has used one of these tools on the OM617? Yes I know it isn't listed in the compatible models on the auction. I also know that it is a very low quality tool, I only need it do work for one crimp.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Mercedes-Benz-W203-W212-Timing-Chains-Riveting-Tool-Set/303210715056?hash=item4698c457b0:g:8ekAAOSwsn9cDxsH


Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I just used a couple of hammers to get the pin mushroomed. Used a punch to make sure that the end was holding the link in place.

__________________
Milan Brown 1979 240D, rebuilt OM617.952 turbo diesel, rebuilt 722.315 transmission (my only daily driver)

Instagram: @maximed93

I've done a lot of research on this topic (mainly on this forum) and have seen many people say they just use the hammer method with something heavy behind the master link. I am sure this works just fine but I would be a little uneasy driving without doing the correct peen on the master link. I would much rather shell out $300 for the correct tool to have some piece of mind when I'm doing 110mph in my 300d. I like to drive my car like I stole it

Are you in free fall at that time?

I wasted a lot of money trying to find a crimping tool that would work and none did. I worried more about having a shoddy crimp than peening it with a hammer, which has been done for ages. Trust me, the only way you're getting a mushroomed pin out is to grind the end off, something your engine is definitely not doing while driving at the speed of light. At those speeds I'd be more worried about time dilation and reaching infinite mass.

-Rog

I bought one of the cheapie eBay crimper kits. Done 3 jobs and works.. does the job. They were in m104 engines but still should work for a diesel.

__________________
1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero

I can tell you that they do not.


-Rog

So buy the $500 crimper then

__________________
1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero

Don't know who is renting now-a-days

Tool Rental List
Tool Rental Master Member List - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Rog, thank you for the input. I knew someone on here would of tried one of those. looks like Im going with the expensive one designed for the OM617

The only way I'm able to see 110MPH in my car is because of the 5 speed manual trans and the rear diff gear ratio. although I'm sure its possible to go much faster in one of these if you messed with the IP.

I don't know about that. It lists that it works with an om642. I think the om617 use the same double row attachment as the om642.

Here is one that is similar and lists the om617.
1095 - Benz Timing Chain Riveting Tool Set - OM642 & OM648

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Spend the $250+ and let us know.


I bought every single "cheap" tool listed in one of the timing chain threads as suggestions of ones that might work and none of them did. I learned quickly that "looks the same" doesn't mean it comes with the correct attachments or is strong enough. $12 worth of hammers from Harbor Freight did a much better job of securing the pins.



-Rog

I was able to find a used tool for $130. A little more than I wanted to pay but it looks like it is a quality built tool that should last a while. Thanks for all the info guys!


Heres the one I ended up buying, the seller claims he has used it on a few OM617 engines.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Timing-Chain-Rivet-Press-Tool-Set-SINGLE-AND-DUAL-ROW-73136FG-SG-01-002/173938759581?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Please WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES while using any crimper! Somewhere on this forum is the tragic story of a cheap crimper which shattered and a piece penetrated the eyeball of the user, permanent loss of vision followed.

I've used the hammer / peen method several times, and compared to the rest of the factory peens on the new chain, the mushroomed end of the pin presents a far larger area of metal that would need to be worn off in order for that pin to come loose. In other words, I'm convinced that a factory peen will fail long before my home-made peen would fail. Use a heavy (10 lbs) maul as the anvil, and then many small taps with the ball peen hammer, takes more time that's for sure, but it gets the job done.

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC