Hey guys:

Never use an aftermarket chain with a master link and clip rather than the MB type endless chain where you have to grind the ends off a set of pins to free a link, and must crip the pins on the new chain's removlable link. The clip will always fail, usually at speed.

Brian:

Get the stretch checked on your 420 at least every 30,000 miles. Quick and easy method on my previous post (set cam to TDC mark an look at balancer to see how "late" the crank is). Less than 8 degrees is OK, more means replace the chain.

Chains usually last nearly forever except in 420s, some 380s, and the 190 (early). My 220D has something in excess of 150,000 on it and no problems with the chain.....everything else is shot, but the chain is fine!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!