timing chain
 

I have 125000 miles on my 1985 500sel. When should the timing chain be changed? I've heard between 125 and 150,000. Is this correct. Thanks in advance.

I have 268K on mine and I have no idea if or when it was last changed... but mine is just a $1000 car that I have already got my moneys worth out of. I am guessing that mine was changed somewhere around 120-150K by the original owner, as they owned it up to 200K.

I think if yours is original and as nice as it sounds like yours is.... I would change it posthaste.

The chain is not the problem per-se, it is the plastic guilde rails. With age they will deteriorate and could break with pieces making their way under the chain between it and the cam gear, particularly on the left side. Then you have big, big problems. The guide rails should be changed about every 10 years regardless of mileage. The chain will elongate but almost never break...but to change the rails you do 90% of the work to replace the chain so you might as well do it as it is only $100 extra and you won't have to worry about elongation of it again for another 100K miles.

Change the guides, chain and tensioner - cheap insurance!!

Cheers

Thanks
 

I will be changing these items in the next 30 days. Anything else that you can think of at this juncture? The car really is mint and I want to keep it this way. I have wanted a 500sel for a long time and I finally have it. Thanks again.

water pump?

Its not worth screwing with it, just change it.

Chain life...
 

As nhdoc mentioned, its the guides that'll get you and I think you're on borrowed time. Its heat and age that do it.

If you can't do it real (real) soon, at least listen for unusual/louder engine noise at first start. If it makes a metallic slapping noise at start up, I wouldn't run it for a minute.

Shut mine off because of this noise - had it towed and, sure enough, broken upper rail (at 97K miles). Probably would have lost it had i driven the 4 miles...

Kevin

I do not have that "slapping" noise, but I have a "ZZZZZZT" sound from the engine bay, as the oil pressure needle goes up when I first start it. It stops as soon as the needle reaches "3", which is very quickly. It does it for about a second. The warmer it is outside, the less it does it. I do not recall it doing it when temperatures are above 80°. No idea.

@ any rate, if I had a nice MB like it sounds like he has, I would not run it for a second W/O a new chain/rails/guides.

When you "price" getting this done, be sure you ask how much more for the rails and guides and tensioner. I was told $500 when I asked about the chain replacement, but when I asked how much more for the rails and guides, the price went up about $300, because he said much more work was involved in replacing those. :rolleyes: :confused: I think that is what steered me away from having mine replaced.... I was all ready to pay the $500, but that additional $300 was the kicker. I paid $1000 for the car and I was not about to pay $800+tax for this.

Keep us posted.

going in tomorrow to get it done
 

will post when I get back. Thanks.