W126 Timing Chain
 

Just got a call from MBI Motors in Portland (independent shop that came highly recommended). I asked them to take a look at the timing chain on my 160,000 mile 500SEL. The owner said the timing chain was stretched (never been changed), the guides had lots of cracks, and the tensioner needed to be replaced.

I guess I was VERY lucky!!

He said that the radiator neck had been shortened and I should replace the radiator. I asked that he reinstall the old one and I would start looking for a used one.

Ray

You have a used radiator don't buy a used one!!!!. The new one is updated and will be the last one you will buy if the hose clamps are not over-tightened.

Benzmac,

If those hose clamps aren't overtightened to begin with, is there a chance that the radiator neck will still break on an original radiator? I've lost two radiators due to broken necks so far..

How tight should they be made? Just enough so it doesn't leak?

I had all kinds of problems with my hoses leaking here and there. The pressure in a Benz is pretty high. On the order of 20 psi. I had to really tighten all my hose clamps a couple of times before they'd stop leaking.

Are radiators built that cheap that they'd break?