Cryin' Time?
 

Greetings all, not one of my best days. My 85 380 se was being driven for the last month as a favor to someone who had car problems. Being nice, they offered to change the oil and filter as it was due. After adding the oil and replacing the filter the key was turned and rattle, rattle, bang!. Timing chain, something blew right thru the drivers side valve cover. Car was shut down immediately but I guess it's too late. This car has new trans, new this, new that, and is in excellent shape for 232 K miles. It runs (did anyway)perfectly and was about to be repainted. What are my options and what is the probable extent of the damage done? Thanks for your input
Rainman (Bill R)

Yikes! Sorry to hear that.

Heads will have to come off, so that you can replace the bent valves.

While you're in there, you can replace the chain rails, the tensioner, the chain (was it the double or single row?), the valve seals. Might as well do the lifters too, since you're in there...they are not very expensive.
Check the cam for wear too...especially the passenger side.

Somebody else will add other things to do.

Again.. sorry to hear of your misfortune.

If it is a single row chain you will probably need to upgrade to the double row chain. Any records on when the chain was last done? It probably is a double row if it made it that far.

You will basicly need to send the heads out to have valve jobs done on them. Once the heads are off you will know if anything else is damaged.

I feel your pain.
 

Here was my post about the same thing. I do feel your pain eventhough the car was not mine to begin with. That "something" was likely a piece of guide rail broke off and caught between the chain and cam gear. There is very little clearance between the chain and valve cover so when the rail get caught in between, the chain raised and rubbed against the valve cover and broke it off. It also messed up the timing and in the process bent the valves. The heads have to come off to exam the damage.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/112321-free-1991-420sel.html

Mr. Newr, what's the latest? Engine in and running properly? Car like new?

Your principal option is to have the car towed to a salvage yard and then try to forget that you ever owned it. If the car had 100k it wouldn't have any market value - this one's got 232k. The car would not be worth the cost of the engine repairs when you were done.

Why not get a used engine and drop it in? If you really like the car then I would do that. Many used engines to be had for a lot less than what the factory rebuilds cost.
I had an engine dropped into a Mazda I had several years ago for $500. The engine was $350 - got it from a salvage yard with a guarantee.

The 85 380SE has a double row chain, unfortunately it reached it's limit before it was changed. The value of the car is personal, if it were mine, I would search for a good used engine and replace.
Try these guys:
http://www.mercedespartsused.com/
or
http://www.silverstarrecycling.com/
Both of these guys are in California where I get my parts from when needed.
Good Luck!

Oil change procedure
 

Sorry to hear about about your problem. The chain probably jumped when you tried to start the car after an oil change because the oil had drained from the hydraulic chain tensioner. A friend of mine who runs an independent shop here says that it can happen with older cars and that he always cranks the engine with the coil disconnected until there is full oil pressure before trying to start the car after an oil change.
I know that it will not help you now but thought that I would pass it along for other members of the forum.

Rainman (Bill R)
 

Are you the Rainman (Bill R) in the Bimmer forum? If so, I can't imaging you owning a 380.

Check the update. :)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/112321-free-1991-420sel-3.html