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#1
07-26-2004, 02:03 AM
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timing chain and vacuum modulator
Hi there
I just bought my first mercedes, a 84 380sl.(I should have done that 20 years ago!!!) I have heard about a timingchain upgrade ( double roller type).How can I tell if my engine has been upgraded? I tried to look in at the oilfiller but it is hard to see. Is this upgrade neccesary? If so how much does it cost or is it covered by a recall? The other question I have is regarding (hopefully) my vacuum modulator. Sometimes the exhaust emits very white smoke and LOTS of it,then after a while it stops smoking. Since my tranny fluid is going down I suspect a defect vacuum modulator that lets tranny oil getting sucked into the engine. I have bought a new modulator. It says on the box that the unit must be adjusted properly to prevent tranny or engine damage before the vehicle is driven. Does anyone have knowledge about these things? Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks Otto 
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#2
07-26-2004, 09:14 AM
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I believe '84 is the first year for the double row timing chaine here in the US.
I'm sure one of the experts here can verify.
__________________
Rick '85 380 SL (sold) '85 Carrera Flatnose '71 280 SL Signal Red/Cognac
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#3
07-27-2004, 04:00 PM
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LATE 83 WAS THE INITIATION OF DOUBLE ROW TIMING CHAINS. YOUR 84 SHOULD BE FINE/SAFE.
REGARDING THE WHITE SMOKE, BEWARE THAT WHITE SMOKE IS ALOS EVIDENCE OF STEAM/WATER COMING THRU THE SYSTEM. AS FOR THE VACUUM MODULATOR, WHAT KIND OF SHIFTS ARE YOU EXPERIENCING - HARD OR SOFT OR IRREGULAR? DID YOU CHECK THE RUBBER SEAL AROUND THE MODULATOR (MOST USUAL SUSPECT)? I DON'T KNOW AT WHAT SETTING NEW MODULATORS ARRIVE IN THE BOX BUT THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO CALBIRATE. ONE IS TO INSTALL IT, FEEL THE SHIFTS AND ADJUST AT 1/8 OR 1/4 TURNS TILL YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE FEEL OF THE SHIFT. TOO HARD AND IT WILL GRAB VIOLENTLY AT THE NEXT GEAR. TOO SOFT AND YOU WILL BURN THE TRANS FLUID AND DO DAMAGE TO THE TRANS. THE OTHER WAY TO ADJUST IS BY PRESSURE SETTING WHICH THE EXACT PRESSURE IS LISTED IN THE REPAIR MANUAL. I THINK YOU SHOULD GET SOME MORE DETAILED DIAGNOSTICS TO LEARN THE CAUSE OF THE WHITE SMOKE.
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#4
07-27-2004, 05:20 PM
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I wouldn't bet on the chain either way in '84. If you cant see it through the filler hole, you can lift the driver's cam cover up enough to get a look. I recommend the driver's side because the fuel lines are in the way on the pass side.
You need a 10mm socket and a 6" extension, preferably 1/4" drive. Loosen all four bolts and lift the front just enough to get a look at the chain. Be sure to keep the gasket on the lip of the cover. Then put it back - not too tight on the bolts - and check for leaks. This is much easier on a cold engine. Recommend you get your modulator installed and adjusted by a qualified shop, unless you feel like crawling under the car repeatedly to get the shifts right.
__________________
Chuck Taylor Falls Church VA '66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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#5
07-29-2004, 11:12 PM
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Thanks for the help so far.
I pulled the left valve cover(10 min job) and ta-da......double timing chain! Sure made my day! Installed the new vacuum modulator but it didn't cure the intermittend exhaust smoke. This morning after driving for about 10 min it started smokin again as if someone threw a smoke granade, then the smoke cleared up and it's been fine ever since. Seems like oil is building up somewhere and then burns up. I know now that it is engine oil that's burning since that's the only fluid that is going down. now what????????????
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