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#1
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w202 timing chain - do I really have to change it?
did some research and saw many people suggesting changing the timing chain on their Mercedes engine after a certain miles. My car is a C220.
but from my experience if you have 4 cylinders and a timing chain you should not have to worry about it at all unless there is serious chatter that annoys you. I have only seen ONE timing chain break and that was on a beat Nissan motor with a spanner behind the wheel doing shift-locks or what not to get some sideways action and just blew up the chain instead. M111 is an SOHC engine correct? so the chain only connects the crankshaft to ONE timing sprocket.... I would think it'll never ever need replacement for the life of the engine.... I don't know about V8s but at least on a lil Inline 4 engine I really haven't heard of the term "regular change of timing chain" before. What's your experience? Anyone blew a timing chain here? Last edited by hk20000; 02-03-2007 at 03:47 AM. |
#2
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I've seen TC's blow on VW VR6's as their tensioner design are a weak point along with early Jag V8's.Haven't heard about one going in a well taken care of W202.
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#3
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111 is dohc
__________________
1980 500SE/AMG Euro 1981 500SEL Euro 1982 380SEL 1983 300TD 1983 500SEC/AMG Euro 1984 500SEC 1984 300TD Euro 1986 190E 2.3-16 1986 190E 2.3 1987 300D 1997 C36 AMG 2003 C320T 4matic past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350 |
#4
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I'm not a mechanic, but I've never heard of a timing chain requiring replacement on an M111 engine.
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Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron". |
#5
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ok thanks guys. It's DOHC? That's cool too.
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#6
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All M111 engines are DOHC 16V four bangers with a large dual-row timing chain that is VERY robust, BUT like all things, will wear out. What influences the life of your chain? OIL CHANGE HISTORY. The chain is bathed in engine oil, and a poor history of oil changes means dramatically shortened chain life.
My dealer freaks out and says all M111's chould have a new chain/tensioner by 160,000kms (100K-miles) but I call BS on that. My indie mechanic has never seen an M111 chain worn at that mark, even with uneven oil changes. However, he usually starts checking them for stretch at 200K (125M) and finds that by 250-300K (150-190M) that he changes them out for peace of mind. However, he has had new customers come in with engines at over 350K and the chain was original and while worn, not in bad shape. A new chain/tensioner runs about $500 P/L, and compare that to the cost of a new head or a buch of bent valves. Cheap insurance. I'll probably have mine done at the 250K or so mark (about 150K-miles). A long time ago when the M111 was new, one of the local dealers had a Mercedes rep with an opened unit, showing off the new engine. It was one of the reasons I didn't hesitate to buy an M111 equipped car. Massive crank bearings, overbuilt block, big dual-row chain, and so on. Overengineered like it's M104 cousin, and laks the head gsket problem of the six-pot engine. Like some other MB engines, an M111 will never wear out its bottom-end if you change the oil/filter on a regular basis. Every other part of the car will wear out first...
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John Shellenberg 1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif |
#7
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I don't know what to do about this one. I'm at 144k miles, and while I am unsure of the initial-owner maintenence (was a Starmark car, 1 PO) I have run Mobil 1 of 15w50 and now 5w40 (dealer) changed every 5k since 60k miles. The only thing I'm concerned about that could affect it's life is hard driving. My car gets vigorous exercise on the highway. I'm a bit trigger-happy when passing, etc, so it sees 5-3 kickdowns and redline probably 2-3 times a day. I wonder how negatively that would impact its lifespan.
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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL |
#8
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Quote:
I had to replace the valve cover gasket on my engine at 190K, and my tech checked the chain then, and found no wear, but I'll change it out at 250K regardless. Then I know the tensioner is new too.
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John Shellenberg 1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif |
#9
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(I have run Mobil 1 of 15w50 and now 5w40 (dealer) changed every 5k since 60k miles)
IMO, if you change oil every 5K then you don't need to use Mobil 1 , especially with MB engine where oil reservoir is 7.5 qts. I've used Mobil 1 because I am too lazy to get under my car so I've changed oil every 10K... for several yrs now, and no problem at all . Save your money |
#10
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^ not a surprise. BMW has oil change interval set to 15000km and they have no issue with that whatsoever.
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#11
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Run 200k-250k miles on it then yank the valve cover and inspect the guides and check for stretch. MB's inline engines can go almost forever without touching the chain. I have only heard of a small handfull breaking but those seem to be mostly fluke's.
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#12
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Does not apply to the single row chain on the M103 engine. Despite their short path and no direction changes, the single row chain wears faster than the double-row chains of the later DOHC engines.
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John Shellenberg 1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif |
#13
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MY two cents is that you never know when it will break,you can check the back lash to see how much ware it has but that only tells you change it now,if you let it go you are sitting on a time bomb, MB. is looking out for there rep. by giving you a change time.Our 420 has 160 + and the original chain,but I dont jump on the gas for any reason,I hope mine will last a long time yet BUT I chose to take that chance.JNT
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#14
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so did yours blow on you? 160K is in mile?
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#15
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I'll assume the 420 in question is the M116 4.2L V-8. The timing chains and guides in those engines are ticking time bombs. Nothing in common with M111 four cylinder.
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John Shellenberg 1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif |
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