I noted this at the end of the torque specification question, but since I could use an answer I am starting another thread.

I had the head on, the cams in, the sprockets on and lined up with the little holes facing each other and in line with the little plate connecting the front of the chain box to the front of the head proper, the chain on with the little "White Out" marks aligned with the same marks on the chain sprockets, al torqued up and ready to put the valve cover on. And then I thought I would turn it over by hand. And I did, but before putting the chain tensioner in, and the chain promptly slipped a few links.

Out came the camshafts, out came the sprockets and we turned it over by hand until a screwdriver resting on the top of the number one cylinder came up, and the white dots on the chain were still skewed. So I concluded the chain actually slipped all the way around. So now I want to find the actual top dead center mark on the balancer attached to the front of the crank so I can be sure I am timing things correctly. This engine is very dirty in the front, and all I can make out on the balancer is the nib sticking out. Anyone familiar with what this lines up with? My plan is to find TDC, then install the cams lined up with the little holes, put the chain tensioner in and call it a day. If I am missing something please pipe up. Thanks, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

The actual TDC is when the screwdriver reaches the highest point before starting to descend. The timing marks can be confusing so go with the screwdriver. When you are sure you are at the very topmost point, set the cams using the drill bit in the hole technique. Follow the directions for installing the tensioner to the letter to avoid damage to the chain.

Tim

not sure if this will help, look at the document below.

Thanks a million. I will post the results tomorrow. Going to Bed now. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

jim


i just got back a 16v cylinder head from the machine shop an planning on doing a switch -a roo this week , after reading the WIS 102.983 engine sevice manual and the haynes , it tells TDC is the 0 mark on the crank not the dowel , but i lik e the screw driver method better, the cams have to be lined up at 3 and 9 oclock facing each other , then torqued up to 12Nm the top mark should be around 12 0 clock too




timing in the crank angle degress at 2mm vavle lift

intake valve opens after TDC
left 7 deg
right 0

closes after BDC
left 26 deg
right 0

exhaust Valve opens before BDC
left 0
right 32 deg

Exhaust Valve closes before TDC
left 0
right 13 deg


good luck


190e 16V
C36 AMG
911 Iroc replica

Well, things are not going well, I cannot consistently get a good timing mark on the crank and keep the two timing marks on the camshaft sprockets lined up at TDC. I may just give up and have another mechanic do the job before I bend a valve or 16. At the moment I get within one link of being perfect, and am now 1 link "late" on valve timing. If it is ok to run this way I will have a new chain rolled in by the mechanic and call it a day. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

4 to 5 deg is within specs anymore you wil need a new timing chain

DaveCT,

So I take it what is happening is the chain stretch is collected between the sprockets and there is not much I can do about it and maintain the factory timing. It appears to be a fraction of a link off, and I cannot keep it tight enough as once the springs on the valves are active, they push the camshaft around within the play of the chain stretch. So, I will put it together and fire it up. Yesterday and today were very hot, and I am exhausted. I still have a radiator coming and have a few dozen little items to screw back on the head and block. Looks like the weekend after the fourth to be all done. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)