124 - 1990 300CE Timing Chain Replacement

Does anyone know how many miles should the timing chain be replaced in these cars?
What’s the average cost or how many hours does this procedure take?
Should other maintenance be done with timing chain replacement?

Thanks
Tony


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Tony Malgapo
91 MB 300CE
89 Porsche 911 Cabriolet
84 Porsche 944
92 VW Corrado VR6 SLC
87 Audi 4000S

[Michael]

I can't give you a complete answer, but I can tell you my experience. My 300TE wagon has 155k and the head gasket just began to leak. So, I'm doing the head gasket, timing chain (sprockets were essentially perfect, as they often are), water pump, lifters (a couple of them were bleeding down), valve guides, seals, and a valve job.

My brother-in-law went thru the same thing with his '88 wagon at 225k mi (approx); his got more miles/yr than mine, but time-wise they went at about the same age.

If it were my car, I would go to 200k mi. before I looked to pro-actively start ripping that motor down and replacing stuff.

My total cost I expect to be around $1,500, including all parts & labor (remember, the water pump alone is several hundred $$)

Just my $.02...good luck

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All the best, Michael
500E
300TE

Tony,

Assuming this is an M103 engine, and I believe that it is, Benzmac has said that the timing chain on this engine very rarely, if ever fails. This engine has a ratcheting tensioner which prevents slack even with loss of oil pressure.

All you have to do is ensure that you have a single cam, M103 engine.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles