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  #1  
Old 11-06-2006, 01:11 PM
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Exclamation SL500 no need to change timing chain forever?

I spoke to two mechanics recently, and they both said that the timing chain on my 97 SL500 doesn't have to be changed, as long as they are not loose. I also looked on Alldata's service intervals, and it doesn't list timing chain as one of its items, as far as I can tell.

Is the life of the timing chain on this car indefinite, sort of like the transmission fluid (which, I've changed, btw)?

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Old 11-06-2006, 05:20 PM
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The guides are plastic and can break and cause all sorts of problems. I think it's a good idea to change the guides and tensioner somewhere in the 10 year / 100k to 150k range. The chains themselves don't seem to be a problem but many think you should do it anyway - maybe in the 150k to 200k range. Try a search - there's lot of opinions on this and perhaps even some facts.
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Old 11-08-2006, 02:41 PM
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My mechanic positively says not to change unless it rattles (I have a 99 which has the newer 113 motor). However, received wisdom on this site is to change the chain, tensioner and rails at about 150k.
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  #4  
Old 11-09-2006, 06:14 PM
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Red face What does a timing chain rattle sound like?

What does a timing chain rattle sound like? Does it sound like ticks, or some kind of chain slapping?

I have ticks from my 97 SL500, and I checked my oil tubes and motor mount, and they're fine as far as I can tell.... But, I'm hoping that it's not my timing chain!
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Old 11-09-2006, 08:25 PM
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The chain will rattle on startup. It sounds like piston slap.
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Old 11-13-2006, 11:20 AM
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Red face

Thanks for the info. I'm nearly at 150,000, so I've been searching this forum and others about when to change the chain, but the consensus seems to at either 150,000, 200,000, or when it rattles. I just might take the middle ground and change it at 200,000. But I have two questions:

1) When I took my valve cover off last week, I was able to push the chain (at the midpoint of the intake and exhaust) with my thumb about a 1/4 inch, and with both hands about 1/2 an inch. Does this indicate anything? I would think that because the chain is so long and windy, pushing the chain at that point wouldn't give any useful information....

2) I did find that the top left guide was broken in a few places in some minor ways, and I couldn't find the pieces anywhere (I'm going to go through the sump pan next week). That might account for the ticking noise I've been getting. But could it also indicate that the chain is too lose or stretched, and it's vibrating, causing the breaks in the guide? Or, was the break inevitable, given the car is 10 years old with 150,000? After all, if the chain was vibrating and causing the guide to crack, wouldn't the top right guide crack as well?

Thank you all for any insight.

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