On borrowed time...good news and bad news
 

Well as suspected by a couple of you guys on at the GTG at Mr MB (at lunch later) I'm on borrowed time with my timing chain. Last two mornings I started it cold by standing out side and turning the key.........Timing chain slap was heard both days. Yesterday more so than today.

Being built 2-84 puts it in early 1984 Build. I have read elsewhere that "...up until 1984 the 116 engines had a single row timing chain." then I have heard "...Mid year 1984 they changed to 2 row timing chains."
Is there a definitive cutoff date for the switch? Engine number? Or??

Matters only for peace of mind getting it to Enrigue to get the chain and the guides replaced.
IF mine is a single row I would like to change it to a 2 row if it isn't going to be cost prohibitive. I can do the chain and the guides , but I don't have a garage and I live in the dirt...desert. Not condusive to opening up an engine. So if it isn't too expensive, I'll have MR MB do the job.

Any ideas about swapping to a 2 row chain over the single or keeping the single row?

Now the good news. After 2,500 miles the flat spotted tires are coming out of the "thumps". Had it out on the freeway today and the vibration is almost totally gone up to 80 MPH(too much traffic to go any faster), the speed of the traffic flow this afternoon.

Maybe your tensioner spring is getting weak.

I just talked to Enrique at MR MB and I'm to make an appointment to change the timing chain and guides and tensioner on Monday. He says 10-1 my engine has a 2 row timing chain. I think I have him order all the parts for a 2 row timing Chain with new sprockets, then if it isn't a 2 row he can convert it. If it is then maybe swap out the sprockets for new ones?, at his discretion.
It uses no oil at this juncture, so when the timing chain job is done, the engine should be bullet proof for some time to come. I'll have him change over the GREEN antifreeze to the good Yellow stuff with a flush in between, as well as charging the A/C.

Charlie, Happy Thanksgiving!

If I remember right, there was a recall campaign on these single row timing chains, to twin chains, from Mercedes-Benz. No time limit on this, it should be current, so you could be due this chain recall. Check with your MB Dealer, before you pay for this repair.

Did you ever find out whether you had the single or double row chain on your car?

If so, is/was the dealer still willing to do a warranty upgrade repair on it?