Hey All,
Looking at picking up another 240d but this one has a broken timing chain. The guy says it ran like a top (111,000 miles) until this happened and when he went to put in a new chain the camshaft was found to be damaged.
Any assistance on what to look for when inspecting this motor to check that there is not more significant damage?
He says he pulled the head but did not see any signs of damage... Is this possible? I would think that at least one valve would have been in a position to hit a piston.
Thanks in advance for your input.

__________________
'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique

I wish I could agree with him. If the cam is broke. Something broke it and other things.
You will have some bent valves., will need to inspect pistons for damage. And may need to check conector rod's but not likely.This is the time to freshen up the top end. Valve job.New chain of course, and replace chain ramps. Don't let them mill the head if you don't have to. It make for more work and more money for machine work.
Good luck. Charlie

It's hard to imagine a broken timing chain on a diesel that does not bend valves at the very least. Charlie is right, if the cam is broken, it's not by coincidence. I also can't imagine someone taking off the head and then putting it back on without completing the job.

I'm suspicious. I would, however, pursue it further. Like Charlie said, as long as pistons are not damaged, and they probably aren't, then you can fix it up by doing the head. You are, however, at that point hoping that the pistons/rings/cylinders are in good shape, you have no way to do a compression check in the current condition.

Best of luck,

Thanks for the input...

__________________
'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique

I've fixed a 220D and a 240D with broken timing chains. On both cars the camshaft towers were broken and had to be replaced. The cam itself was OK, I did not pull the head on either engine.

Larry has made a great point here - Its quite a bit of work to fix this problem (even if the head does not have to come off) I would not be willing to do all the work unless I could verify the engine had good compression numbers and did not use oil.

W115 cars are pretty prone to rust also.

Good luck

Tim

Tim,

I have not seen you post in a while. Welcome back.

I would like very much to get your address so I could send you some payment for the headlight cleaner motors that you so graciously sent me.

Have a great day,