Timing Chain Questions: Slack/Tensioner

[nhdoc]

I was replacing the cam oiler tube clips on my 1988 560SL and when I took the driver's side valve cover off I could see there was a lot of slack in the timing chain. I could lift the inboard side about 1/2" away from the guide. The chain was resting on the guide, in full contact with it when I opened it up.

Also, the chain guides were dark reddish brown so it looks like I have to first replace the chain tensioner and then have the guides done. Does that sound like a good way to procede? I don't think I want to tackle the guides myself but do you think it is OK to replace the tensioner and then I could drive it to a shop to have the guides done? I've attached some photos to see it, in the first is the chain as it looked when I removed the cover, but the second shows my finger lifting the chain off the guide.

One question here, does the gasket on the tensioner require sealant when a new one is installed??

The engine doesn't seem too noisy to me at idle, so maybe the tensioner is just draining down after sitting a while but still it didn't seem "normal" to have that much slack in the chain...am I right??

On the bright side the valve train looked nice and clean with no noticeable sludge (even the top of the valve cover was pretty clean) and there was no visible wear on the lobes so the oiler must have been OK all these years.