400E Timing Chain..

[carman850]

Hello,

My 92 400E has already 200K km (12.5K miles) on it, I only have the service record for the first 100K km, I don't know if the timing chain is still original or not.

According to the post I read, being a M119 engine, it seems the timing chain is due for replacement, is there a quick way that I can tell the status of my timing chain? Is timing chain a DIY item? I have done all the repair jobs by myself on this 400E so far, but I have never replaced a timing chain before.

Thanks.

[Stan Pittman]

Yes but be very careful.. They are tricky

[Michael]

As I've been led to understand, checking the timing chain involves several hours of labor just getting to it-I'm gonna bite the bullet & roll in a new chain & replace the upper guides, since it's not all that much more labor

[TimFreeh]

Checking for chain stretch on an M119 is not really any tougher that any other MB engine. It is a little more difficult to remove the valve covers because of all the plastic parts and if the M119 engine is in a W124 chassis working space is at a premium.

The procedure for checking stretch is in the engine book, You need 4 alignment pins, one for each cam, and you must be able to lock the cams with the alignment tool with the crank positioned at (don't quote me on this I'm doing it from memory) 45 degrees before TDC....

I have a 400E with 120K miles. It has had regular oil changes since new and shows 5-6 degrees of chain stretch. From what I've learned here the V8's with a longer chain and more changes of direction in the chain run are more prone to chain failure than the diesels or gas 4 and 6 cylinder engines.

Good luck - Tim