Timing chain at 15,000miles?????!!!!!!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DaimlerChrysler · #1 04-30-2005, 10:22 AM

Right before I bought my 1984 380SL the timing chain broke on it and the PO had about $6000 worth of work done on it which included:

New double row chain
new chain guides
all new valves and seals

and being an alloy engine the block had to be heli coiled. This was all done by a Mercedes-Benz dealer (name withheld)

The car had 115,000 miles on it at that point(4 years ago), it now has 130,000. Last week I had to have a transmission leak repaired and when I picked it up the indy repair guy (who has been very fair and competent in the past) told me that when he started the car he could hear the timing chain SLAP

When I started it sure enough there was a weird noise that goes away after the car starts to idle.

My 2 questions are:

1. Is it REALLY possible for OEM MB parts like a tensioner and guides and the chain to go bad after only 15,000?

AND

2. If they are bad how do I get MB to fork over what I consider to be their share of the bill?

The car hasn't been abused since I've owned it and I change the oil every 2,500 miles with Mobil 1

HELP!

stevebfl · #2 04-30-2005, 12:03 PM

Believing your motor to be properly handled at the previous repair, I would suggest that what you are experiencing is normal and of no risk.

The risk to those motors comes from this normal activity occuring on old petrified chain rails which your newly worked motor hopefully doesn't have.

During the time in the early 70's when I worked at a MB dealer, we went after these ratlers for warrantee. After 30 years I can tell you that a good chain tentioner is extremely likely to have a rattle event occur, infrequently, but it will happen. Usually after sitting and especially after changing the oil.

There is a check ball valve inside the tentioner that keeps the oil pressure from the last running. A bit of dirt easily can cause it to lose the hydraulic effect.

If the rattle happens every time, you probably should replace the tentioner. Unless you paid to have it done in the last year I doubt there is any warrantee. If you took it apart and cleaned it, it would be good as new, anyway.

DaimlerChrysler · #3 05-01-2005, 01:04 PM

Thanks! I appreciate your knowledge!

pentoman · #4 05-01-2005, 05:36 PM

I often get a clack-clack-clack sound for 2-3 secs on startup until oil pressure comes up.

Presumably this is not worth worrying about too much (at least not as much as a timing chain about to go...)?

I am approaching 100,000 miles on the old 1986 M102.. chain/tensioner time yet?

Russ

Hatterasguy · #5 05-01-2005, 05:50 PM

Would it be worth the gaskets to pull the valve covers and take a look? On my 603 the chain is right their you can inspect it. I would imagin you could see most of it and the guides with the V8's.

stevebfl · #6 05-01-2005, 05:51 PM

I'm more likely to guess you have a lifter leaking down on that motor. It has a ratcheting tentioner that doesn't sag with time and loss of oil pressure. While I have seen a couple 102 chain problems they all were atleast twice as many miles as yours.

Hatterasguy · #7 05-01-2005, 05:56 PM

Yeah my engine has several loud annoying lifters, they will get changed later this year when I have time.

I was talking about the 380SL, if he thinks his chain could be failing he should pull the valve covers and check it out. It is possible the people that did the change messed up the job.

Rockman59 · #8 05-01-2005, 07:23 PM

Pentoman Said: I am approaching 100,000 miles on the old 1986 M102.. chain/tensioner time yet?
________________________________________________________________
Since the engine is now 19 years old and most MB experts say the chain and related parts should be replaced at 100K miles and/or 10 years.....I'd say you are ready now. If the plastic guides fail and a piece gets into your chain and you jump time.....then be ready for major engine work. The plastic guides are white color when new....and when old they become dark brown and fragile. Better get the job done soon.

Johnhef · #9 05-01-2005, 08:33 PM

Also its possible for the chain tensioner gasket to be installed reversed, therefore blocking oil from the tensioner. I actually did this on my 560SEL and didn't realize it. I thought I had a broken chain rail because it DEFINITLY had slap. Boy did I feel dumb when I discovered what I did

pentoman · #10 05-01-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockman59

Pentoman Said: I am approaching 100,000 miles on the old 1986 M102.. chain/tensioner time yet?
________________________________________________________________
Since the engine is now 19 years old and most MB experts say the chain and related parts should be replaced at 100K miles and/or 10 years.....I'd say you are ready now. If the plastic guides fail and a piece gets into your chain and you jump time.....then be ready for major engine work. The plastic guides are white color when new....and when old they become dark brown and fragile. Better get the job done soon.

Cheers I'll hopefully do it soon along with the valve stem seals.. must've spent money enough in oil top ups to have bought another entire engine by now.

Can chain 'slap' only ever be heard on startup? Are there any worrying chain associated noises to be heard whilst going along?

Sorry for the thread hijack by the way.. very annoying of me

DC - You could take the car to the dealer who did the work and mention what the independent garage said (in an entirely friendly way). They may want to check it out (for free?) And if something does fail you have yourself pretty well covered.

good luck

Russell

DaimlerChrysler · #11 05-06-2005, 03:25 PM

Okay, my Indy replaced the tensioner last wednesday. The car sat until this morning. I went to start it up and yep, it's worse than before! When I called the dealer that initially did the work the tech told me that some rattle at the begining is "normal", caused by the tensioner "leaking down" he said that if it only does it after the car has sat without being started for 24 hours its okay. If it ever happens after the car has been driven then I should bring it right in. Does that sound acurate?

jhodg5ck · #12 05-06-2005, 09:32 PM

I have seen this problem more then once on a 380..everything new etc and still slaps a bit. What weight oil are you running? You might try something lighter/synthetic so that it will make it's way to the tensioner faster.

Hope that helps..

Jonathan

Strife · #13 05-07-2005, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

Also its possible for the chain tensioner gasket to be installed reversed, therefore blocking oil from the tensioner. I actually did this on my 560SEL and didn't realize it. I thought I had a broken chain rail because it DEFINITLY had slap. Boy did I feel dumb when I discovered what I did

Wow, did you dodge a bullet.

DaimlerChrysler · #14 05-09-2005, 07:52 AM

I've been using Mobil 1 since I bought it 4 years ago

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