My 1990 420sel is going to need the timing chain replaced fairly soon. I believe it was replaced at around 100k miles and now it's got almost 190k so I'd like to do it at about 200k miles. I was just wondering if anyone has bought the febi timing chain kit for these cars. Also was it a good buy? Any thoughts?

Heres a link to it- Pelican Parts - Product Information: 36590-M36

Spend the money on an Iwis chain. Febi is hit or miss in their boxes now.

I would also be more concerned about the condition of the timing chain guide rails, especially the driver side rails, versus just the chain. If the chain is less than 5° late, I would just put woodruff keys (need three) and get on with life.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

For something as critical as that, I would insist on MB original ONLY.

RayH

I agree with Ray about the new timing chain, and Hit Man about the need to replace the guide rails. If the guide rails disintegrate the pieces can cause the timing chain to jump and trash the engine due to the interference fit of the valves and pistons.

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Fred Hoelzle

The IWIS chain is under $100 most places online. Go IWIS.

What is in the "kit" the link doesn't go anywhere for me, just a price and no info, no image. Some of those kits include the cam gears, which I personally have only ever seen worn out once on an M116/M117. I wouldn't replace cam gears just because.

Like hitmanX said, Febi is getting sort of "meh" on quality, and while I'd take them long before a URO, if I could have the OEM supplier (IWIS) for under $100, that is a no brainer to me on a part as critical as the timing chain. Why save $20 on the chain to destroy a $1,000 motor.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

Thanks for all the info. I will definitely go for the more expensive chain and guides.

FEBI kits have IWIS chains
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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

I can't read german so I can't comment on the link but I would still be inclined to use dealer parts for the chain guides. If one of those fails because you used cheap parts you are going to have a very bad day.