missing link 240D? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stevo · #1 08-21-2002, 09:26 PM

My daughter and I pulled the head on her 240D yesterday. My back is still tripped out

so the help is much appreciated and she actually enjoyed helping to figure things out. When we bought the car the PO had not adjusted the valves in TOO LONG and one cam lob (intake) was cupped noticeably. We got a cam, towers, and rockers at the U-pick. When we washed the engine we could see very tiny bubbles coming out between the head and block by #1, hence we figured it was time for a head gasket and timing chain as we had about 6 degrees stretch. the car runs fine but I wonted to do this before she started grad school in the big city. Anyway the head is off getting magnafluxed and the timing chain is hanging by shock cord from the truss in the shop. I can not see where the sister link is. They all look the same.

I tried grinding (4 inch grinder) a pin flush with the side plate and punching it through, no luck. I could of course just cut through the entire chain but can I then attach the new chain? I do not want to screw this up so any advice would be appreciated and I did do a search but couldn't find the answer to " not being able to find the sister link" What now?

leathermang · #2 08-21-2002, 09:41 PM

I do not understand what you mean by "Sister Link".... when you take one link out you will have a way to attach the master link on the end which you will be pulling into the engine... and the other will have an empty set of holes for you to attach a wire to for pulling on .... With that many 240d's I am assuming you have a copy of the MB engine manual ????? Or the Haynes manual for the 123 ?????

Stevo · #3 08-21-2002, 10:35 PM

Thanks for the reply Leatherman

Yes I have all the manuals but i can not see anything about separating the old chain. Sorry,I thought a "sister link' referred to the conncting link,maybe thats 'boat" talk, Anyway it does say in the manual when doing a complete re build to use a "endless chain" so if my chain has never been replaced, which it most likely has not its "endless" but I still dont see how its separated so you can attach the new one to run it through. I must be missing something right in front of my nose? So how do you "take one link out"?

leathermang · #4 08-22-2002, 12:00 AM

You said you ground " a " pin flush... you will need to grind two adjacent pins belonging to one link...and you may need to attach your wires and try to reduce the tension on the chain to get the link out... I am sure you have loosened the tensioner stuff... right ? They make a tool which will press out one link... if you look at it it might give you an idea for using something else.. but basically you will have to put pressure on the two pins which make ONE link... at the same time... to get it out....That same tool , when putting the chain back together, will crimp then ends to secure the side plate...If the one you have is "endless" it just means all the links were put together exactly the same... there is no master link , usually distinguished by a retaining clip on motorcycle chains... but my preferred method of retaining the sideplate to me is peening it like a rivet... but much has been written about that in other threads...

Stevo · #5 08-22-2002, 01:08 AM

Leathermang..... With the head off and the cam sprocket off I have plenty of room to mess with this. Yes I have read lots about peening the new link and am not worried about that part. I ground two pins flush, that is the two pins on one side of the plate.
I then tried to punch those through the plate and they would not go. I think that is what you mean when you said "you will need to grind two adjacent pins belonging to one link.." I will give it another go tomorrow afternoon. I have another chain I am practicing on and when I figure it out I will attack the main objective. Sorry to be such a dunce, it did look to be an easy thing, grind off the head and punch it through. Hummm

engatwork · #6 08-22-2002, 06:43 AM

If you grind the WHOLE plate off on one side you will make it alot easier on yourself. You will still have to take a screwdriver and "pry" the link out from the other side. Keep rags or paper towels stuffed down in the hole below where you are working. You will know you have ground enough of the plate off when you can distinctly see the link portion in the "holes" of the side plate.

leathermang · #7 08-22-2002, 09:22 AM

On a double chain just " punching " it out would be unusual... you will need some sustained force because what has normally happened is the chain has worn some internal grooves which act just like 'c' clip gooves... and the metal is so hard that it takes only a slight grove for you to need a lot of force to overpower it... or sustained force and you moving the chain enough to get it centered...That is why they made that link remover with screw threads... to put a lot of force on it at the right location.... since you are replacing the chain perhaps just grinding through it with your 4 inch grinder would be a surer deal....and lots of sparks for a great show.... invite neighbors and throw something on the barbe for the event

engatwork · #8 08-22-2002, 10:17 AM

The sparks flying in the garage impressed my 9 year old

.

Stevo · #9 08-22-2002, 10:41 AM

AAA HA Well I was embarrassed too say, but thats how I got the one off the "80" engine that I am rebuilding, ground that sucker right in two. So I don't feel like such a nerd after all.

This '"80" 240d engine should be back from the machine shop any day and my MB friend is going to close his shop down for a day and help me reassemble it. That will give me a chance to see the right way to do things. Thanks allot for your help.

Guess I can just grind it till I have the right hook up to attach the new chain.