Nearing 100K mi on my 95 c220 - what to look for?

my 95 c220 has about 97K miles on it and Im beginning to wonder about things I should be keeping an eye on or replacing. Aside from following the service manual, these are things I have had changed due to problems or symptoms through the years:

1. Engine, Coil, and Air Pump Harness (new)
2. A/C Compressor and Drier (rebuilt)
3. Serp Belt (new)
4. Water Pump (new)
5. Alternator (rebuilt)

thinking about changing my OVP per all the stories here.

would you guys have other recommendations as to things that might start needing replacing or watching out for?

1. Spark Plug Wires?

2. Timing Chain? Symptoms of going bad?

Thanks for your time!

Well here are some of the things I think about at your mileage, that is if you're not already doing and or should have been doing right along (you did say you'r following theservice manual:

Wheel bearings - all wheels.
Timing chain or belt and associated hardware, guides, etc - not sure about your car if it's belt or chain, I think all Mercs are chains.
Flush all flushable fluids.
Alternator / brushes, mine crapped out at 100,000.

I am sure there are a ton of other items. I would replace stuff just to replace though.

For example, front end suspension and stearing components will probably need attention soon but there are a lot of variables as to when they'll need to be replaced.

Joel

thanks for the reply. fluids have been flushed per the service manual and my alternator has been rebuilt at around 85K miles.

i know the delaer once told me to replace the steering wheel shock absorber but the vibration feels fine to me, didn't seem to be needed.

as for the timing chaing stuff, any tips on what symptoms may be a sign of time to change?

also can you explain more about the wheel bearings...thanks!

Hey,

The timing chain is definately a preventative maintenance thing. Not sure if your motor is an interferance motor? In other words if the chain breaks your valve might hit the pistons and could cause all kinds of damage depending on how fast you where going when it let go. Could break piston crowns, bend conecting rods etc. Long story short in an interference motor, a timing chain failure at spead is potentially a catestrophic event.

Wheel bearings in my opinion get a lot of wear and tear, other members may have diferent opinions than me (they are mostly certified techs and I am an accountant by trade and Mercedes Tech wanabee). Wheel bearings are not huge money and should at least be inspected regularly, not exactly a catestrophic event if they fail but could be dangerous if one was to seize up, could effect handling. Anyway, they spin really really fast, a lot and deserve some attention. One easy inspection, kind of a find it after it's a problem is to put car on jack stands and grab tire with both hands and give tire / wheel a wiggle, if bearings are getting worn you'll feel a little shimmy almost like a click, just a little play, indicates wheel bearings are getting worn. By the way, other problems could result in shimmy, ball joint for example. Another way to tell if bearings are getting a little worn is to feel the wheel for excessive heat build up.

Taking hub apart I am sure would be the best way to inspect for worn wheel bearings. Again, others on this site much more skilled than me regarding this subject.

Just some thoughts,
Thanks,
Joel

[Southern]

My experience with wheel bearings is that if they are repacked when you do a brake job then they should last another 100K miles.

I would not recommend replacing the timing chain as a preventive maintenance item since they far outlast timing belts.

As long as you keep up on the filters and fluid changes you should enjoy your next 100K miles.

When you get over 100K miles on a car pay attention to strange noises and fix the problems when they are small problems.

Some other things that are suspect to wear are engine mounts, hoses, shocks and ball joints.

I appreciate the info on the interferance.

Joel

[G-Benz]

I believe ALL MB engines are interference engines...

hi rjohnnie thanks for your advice. On my next oil change I will have the indep mech check for the stuff you recommended.

i also thought timing chains last longer then timing belts which typically are replaced every 75K mi. im trying to get information on timing chain replacements but am coming up empty. if the timing chaing needs replacement, i should be able to hear it coming right?

[blackmercedes]

I've seen a few M111 DOHC engines with 150-200K miles, and the timing chain was not replaced, and not in need of replacement, either.

This engine has a dual-row chain, and is very robust. Also, unlike some V-8 chains, it follows a relatively short route without radical direction changes.

At your low mileage I wouldn't get worried about the chain, but if it is keeping you awake at night, have the dealer check it for stretch.

[royaiii]

I dont think MB engines have timing chain failures. They might stretch but I dont think they would snap.

[blackmercedes]

Originally posted by royaiii
I dont think MB engines have timing chain failures. They might stretch but I dont think they would snap.

There are some M116 4.2L V-8 owners that might beg to differ. They have guides that collapse and cause chain failure. The chain will break eventually if the wear limit is exceeded, as the chain flops around inside the engine.

That said, the M111 engine in question here is coming on ten years old, and has no history of premature chain failure.

97,000 miles is very early in the timing chain life of this particular I-4 engine.

hey alright thanks for the info!

i always listen to the engine when i drive and i haven't heard anything anomalous pointing to the timing chaing, during startup cold/warm and when its been running for awhile. During a cold startup, there is a high whine (but not high rpm) for about 1 min as the engine warms up which has been with me since i bought it at 40K and I believe that is a normal thing.

interesting is that a mercedes parts website (can't remember the name atm) says the timing chain can break and recommend replacing it...that's what got me to getting curious and posting this thread.

ever since i replaced the wiring harnesses, the car has performed much better with better acceleration and it feels like a different car. naturally the harness got replaced when the check engine light came on and the codes poured out knock sensor, O2 sensor etc etc...but none of these have triggered the light again...i think its only a matter of time for the 02 sensor seeing how its getting close to 100K. the dealer also recommended replacing the charcoal cannister valve but said it wasn't immediately necessary. I don't recall replacing that one since I got the car at 40K and I do see it to be a seperately serviceable schedule every 60K or so?

now to get that warm engine start symptom erased...got the OVP on order so crossing my fingers.

do you guys think the spark plug wires/boots need inspection too?

[blackmercedes]

Originally posted by imaginasian
During a cold startup, there is a high whine (but not high rpm) for about 1 min as the engine warms up which has been with me since i bought it at 40K and I believe that is a normal thing.

Yep. Part of the emission system. Perfectly normal. Also, when at op-temp, the engine might make a "tick-tick" noise that is also normal, due to some valve in the emissions system.

MB plug wires last quite a long time, but you could check/have them checked for proper resistance, as the car is close to eight years old now.

If you replace the plugs, don't fall into the Platinum Trap. Most MB engines don't use 'em, and run bad with 'em. Follow your owners manual.

thanks for the confirmation blackmercedes. I usually let the whine go away before motoring off from a cold start - figured it can't hurt to let the engine warm up

and what do you know on my way home today i started hearing a slight rattling from my gear shifter when accelerating and now have more play in the shifter then before, sounds a lot like the shifter bushings are going...ole the joys of a 100K mi car!!!

i'll have them replace the bushing soon (shouldn't be $$$ right?) and then check out the flex disc/spark plug wires/hoses per all of your recommendations.

Thanks so much for the inputs - i recently stumbled onto this forum and love all the knowledge i am learning!

[Southern]

Since I didn't notice in your posts that you have changed your spark plugs, I would recommend replacing your spark plugs with the OEM type if you havn't already done so.

I agree with Blackmercedes regarding the plug wires.

I usually monitor the gas mileage on my cars, when I notice a drop in mileage then I check the condition of the plugs, wires, distributer, etc.

From other posts it appears that the chain tensioner, guides will wear before the chain does. I've havn't experienced either yet.

Keep using your eyes and ears for anything abnormal with your car and enjoy your next 100K from your Mercedes.