My brother-in-law was just told by his local dealership that the timing chain needs to be replaced in the subject car with 170k miles on it. They said the engine needed to come out in order to do it and quoted him a number of $6,300.

This sounds fishy to me, as I know of no car ever made that needs to have the engine removed to replace a timing chain; I recommended that he get a second opinion from an independent, but what do y'all think out there?

Best Regards,
Rob

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Robert Fini

'12 ML350 BlueTec, 87k
'06 E320CDI, 270k
'05 T1N Sprinter 2500/Pleasure-Way Plateau TS, 69k
'97 C36AMG, 313k (son's)
'94 E320T, 249k
'93 190E Sportline LE, 168k (daughter's)
'84 190E-2.3/5spd (Stage Rally Racer)
'66 230 W110 Sedan (Barn Find, Vintage Racer build in progress)

Well maybe the dealer is looking to buy a new boat. Here is a picture of it and it looks to me like you would replace it like any other timing change. It should not need replacing at 140,000 if he changed the oil on time.

http://mb.ilcats.ru/part/class/1/ccode/F/cat/19X/type/112/subtype/912/group/05/subgr//vers//imgno/1

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

As stated, if the oil service has been done like it should using synthetic then the chain should be good for many more miles. I'd recommend trying to get a second opinion from a reputable independent. By the way, what is the complaint?

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Jim