Change timing chain or not?

[sokoloff]

Bought an '88 560SL about six months ago. It has 39,000 miles and AFAIK the timing chain and all the rails are original. After 20 years, regardless of the low miles, should I change the rails and timing chain and replace the cam oiler tube inserts?

[JFawcett]

Wouldn't worry about chain itself....I would change the tensioner, upper rails, cam oilers.
Sucks when it breaks.....

[Alkraut]

I agree that the chain should be fine. The tensioner should also be fine. The plastic parts are what degrade with time. The three upper chain guides and the cam oiler plastic parts are candidates.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by Alkraut

I agree that the chain should be fine. The tensioner should also be fine. The plastic parts are what degrade with time. The three upper chain guides and the cam oiler plastic parts are candidates.

I will add to that the tensioner rail plastic. It doesent generally cause the catastropic problems of the others but onece your in there it's a $20.00 part without much more labor. The tensioner itself is fine.

John Roncallo

[sokoloff]

Thanks for the replies guys. John, was it you that did the write up about doing the timing chain yourself? I'm not sure if I feel up to doing that job myself, but I'd like to do some reading about it before I do farm it out.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by sokoloff

Thanks for the replies guys. John, was it you that did the write up about doing the timing chain yourself? I'm not sure if I feel up to doing that job myself, but I'd like to do some reading about it before I do farm it out.

I have several posts about various steps in doing it but there is a good write up in the DIY Links (See tab up top). Also check the Tech help area I generally post stuff related to engines in Tech help because the proceedure is applicable to anything with an M117. Im sure there is more stuff in tech help than here for that reason.

John Roncallo

[Alkraut]

Here is the posts with pictures that I did last Spring:
Timing Chain Replacement on My 560SL

[sokoloff]

Thanks Alkraut - that's the one I was thinking about.

Len