It looks like were picking up an SEC sometime in the next month. Stack of records, and alot of known history. Clean Carfax too.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I know its a long thread but it came up on a search of the timing chain so I brought it back up again.

Anyway I'm close to 197,000 miles not knowing when the timing chain was replaced.

It passed smog past summer but they had to tune it down for emmissions.
Now its a little loppy.

Now my concern is this noise from the engine about every 20 seconds or so I hear a hissing sound in the engine over the usual tapping sound of the lifter? It sort of sounds like a rattlesnake tail shake but its not constant it seems to cycle every 20 seconds & last for 10 seconds. Could this just be an exhaust sound or could it be the timing chain?

I hate to go to Enrique all the time to make him listen to the engine but I donlt want to use it if the chain is sounding but I really donlt know what its rattle really sounds like & if the sound I hear is the chain but I would think if it was the chain it would be a more constant sound not intermittent. PM me again with the details of the chain & maybe I should take it into E to make sure & if I have to have it replaced?

Thought I found sound bits of a bad chain on line once but I couldn't really make out the sound in the recordings.

Guess best thing is to take it to Enrique



Sadly, the records were never produced I donlt know if they ever existed.
The guy lied about who owned the car
said it was his father inlaws & it turned out it was donated to charity by a doctor.
Why not leave the records in the trunk with the car cover?

The car is a good car but it needs a key still made for the aftermarket wheels & the locks are getting old. I'm hoping a locksmith can rekey the lock, One day I have to invest in that as now if I get a flat I;m screwed.


It passed smog past summer but they had to tune it down for emmissions.
Now its a little loppy.


Trouble now is the Volvo is getting a dry clicking sound when you shift thru the gears from R to N to D & that cincerns me too so both cars now are old & in need & guess its best I try to make one of these cars road worthy.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

That rattle snake noise is a worn chain and tensioner. And just just like an angry snake,it will bite you!!
You can do it yourself,just do a search here regarding it and buy a chain,tensioner,the top three rails ,three pair of quality vice grips and you are ready to go.
BTW,how do you tune down a car to pass emissions?
it sounds like they leaned out the idle mixture. a sure way to destroy the exhaust valves. Get "them" to retune the engine correctly.

I can't handle a timing chain job.
Can I drive it 10 miles to the shop for a sound check?
Enrique always never heard anything but I think this sound is a different sound then the normal tapping of my valves.

I guess they leaned it to pass..the smog place did it. I went to the one Enrique recommened & they did pass it & this car has a hard time from passing for many years as it wasn;t used much.

I guess if it needs a tune I can bring it to Enrique
I haven't been using the car til I source the problem which if its the chain I know is not good.

Thanks

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

No problem driving it,BUT,there is no need to do a sound check,just get Enrique to remove the cam covers and see what color the plastic chain tensioner rails are. if they are coffee color,it is time for the chain to be replaced. I make a point of doing it on any merc V8 I buy ,regardless of service history.
It isn't the chain breaking which causes the problems but the left hand inner tensioner rail breaking off and going into the left hand cam wheel.
The cam stops,the engine is still going( for a short brief sad moment) and all the valves on the left bank and probably a piston or two are destroyed.
The chain goes through the cam cover and smashes that too.
here,on ebay.au last week were several 380 SE/SEl's ,all cheap,all with broken timing chains,all on the left side.
A noisy loose chain will cost you money with poor economy (Even BO can't fix that...) besides making a noise that shouldn't be there. these engines in good order are silent running so don't put up with poor excuses from mechanics etc.
Regular oil changes (10,000 for recommended intervals,but 5000 for fussy owners and cars which don't see too much highway use) will keep the hydraulic tappets quiet. Because they are self adjusting ,the easiest way to shut them up is to run Autotrans fluid in the engine about 200 miles before every oil change. The change in the engine is usually dramatic,cleaning the inside and making them run better.

I would take the car to Enrique and pay him to check the chain and tension for stretch. He removes a valve cover(passenger side and looks at the chain and upper guide. then does a stretch test if warrented.
On Abigail we knew the Chain had never been replaced and it might be a single row chain. So he did the check and test. It was a double row chain and the stretch wasn't that bad yet, but I opted to change out the chain anyway.

If you'd like I can come down and check under the valve cover and all it'll cost is the price of valve cover gaskets. It doesn't take that long.

Also on the locks on the wheels, I believe they are Centra wheels Right? if so I think they are either a 3 leaf clover pattern or a 4 leaf pattern. A flat screw driver of the correct size will get the locks lugs loose(a hint from the tire guys at Affordable tires in Palmdale Ca). I watched them take my wheel off as I was looking for the key.........so much for being theft proof.

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1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

Centra should still be able to supply a key for them too. i used a socket from a socket set to get some undone...12mm i think.

It only takes a few minutes to get a cam cover off,and the gaskets are neoprene and can be reused several times so unless they are pouring oil out,just use them again.

BTW, Bruxner highway(from the coast to Inverell ) runs at right angles to the main highway,which is the new England highway. I know where Douglas street is.
Brisbane is fine and sunny,max temp is 26 C at the moment but no rain for some weeks now.

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice.

I asked Enrique way back to check for the chain & he just said to listen for the rattle. He doesnt have a boroscope don't think so anyway.

I just called him to ask about the sound. He'll have to listen to it but he says the chain sound is heard on cold start ups so he doesn;t think my sound is the chain.

I would feel better knowing what it looked like inside but Enrique doesn't want to check. Guess he is saving me money. How long would it take to get to the valve cover take it off & reinstall it?

The wheels are SND & I can't find much about them but did see them on a Bentley once. Nothing comes up on a recent google. What does centra have to do with SND & I can;t find a company contact for them either?
Darn.

Would be nice to get a key from the company but where to contact them.
Are they standard locks they have one key for all? I was thinking I might have to ask a locksmith if he can make a key from the lock if thats possible.

Looks like a round key with 4 leaf clover pattern? Thats' it
Where do I get a key? That would be grand!
Do you think a locksmith can get a key?
If they are standard you think I can find someone on the forum to make me a copy of a 4 clover design key?

It's really not good as I can;t rotate tires or even check brakes so its something I have to tend to but its been put off.

Chadar thanks for the kind offer to look under the valves.
Maybe I can ask Enrique again...he doesn;t want to do it.
Still a timing chain job is costly but would be nice to know condition/age of plastic under there. I'd be afraid of resealing the timing cover & condition of gaskets. might be opening up a problem.


Brissy Yep, your right NE highway thought its not much of a highway in Tenterfield & Mum is a few houses away from it

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Do you have a 4 leaf key? are they all the same? Maybe you can have a key cut for me if it would fit it would really be appreciated.

It seems wheel shops can get off wheels but Enrique can't rotate tires or check brakes or things so I really need to have a car where I can get the wheels off if I plan on using it.

Hey that's really nice of you to offer to check the condition of my plastic parts I guess by color? I don;t know why Enrique didn't want to do it. I did ask about it a while ago when I first got the car.

I think Jim is coming to see Enrique for his valve stems & I might have to make a list for Enrique to check some things next week.

You think its best on the car to check the AC for leaks & charge?
Enrique said if I donlt use it it will only loose the charge again
He didn't say if it was bad for the system though.
I don't want that but I'd have to be spending $ on the car I hardly use & I been putting it off.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Drive to a wheel store and see if they have or can get a key for you. They can get the old locks off and maybe have new locks and keys. Problem solved.
The tire changers at my tire place got mine off with a screwdriver. So much for being theft proof.

__________________
1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

You think a wheel store with new locks would be cheaper & better than getting a key for an old rusty lock?
Guess as long as they can get them off without too much trouble its worth it as the old locks look rusty & I have no idea how to get a key from the company & I was really thinking it might be better to call a locksmith to make a key.

I wonder how much four wheel locks would be compared to getting a key?
From what you are saying these wheel locks to a tire store are not a big deal?

Thanks

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Try a different mechanic, checking for chain wear is VITAL.
These engines,as I have said before ,should run silently and any noise is a cause of concern.
You won't ruin the gaskets ( generally about $5-$10 each) by taking the covers off and it's something you can do yourself .
But look for independent mercedes Specialists in your area ,most are ex dealer people and will be able to quote you a price for checking straight away.
Changing the chain is easy ,I know several people who have never changed a tire before look up the link and follow it through .And then change the chain themselves quite successfully .

Just curious is the cam cover in front or is that a valve cover? What side do they check to take a look at the chain. I guess I'll leave that to the experts. I suppose the passenger side is easier to get to as the drivers side has some plastic tubing over the valve cover or so I seem to remember.

Thanks for the advice & I have another benz mechanic I take my Volvo to but Enrique is a very trusted mechanic in the benz circle. I trust him to do whats right & he thinks the engine sounds fine. I can ask him how much & it seems like it is something under an hour labor? I agree this chain thing is scary & I would feel better knowing what the condition is but I have to trust him.

I'll ask him again.

As for valve covers I figure there is a bolt tightening sequence to evenly press the gasket & optimal torque on the bolts so would not want to attempt it myself.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

Only 4 10mm bolts on a valve cover?
Thought for sure there were more than that.
It seems there would be bolts in the center of the cover not just on each end?
Thought for sure there would be least 6 or more likely 8

Still not something I feel comfortable doing.

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83 500 SEC Euro 198K

They only need to tightened down so they don't leak,very simple in fact without any special method. Too tight and the covers distort slightly ,too loose and oil leaks from under the gasket.
"...it's a bit like a doctor,get them to show you in detail what you need to know ,not what they want you to hear...."
When they are this color the engine is on borrowed time.