Do you get any kind of warning signs before the timing chain goes?

How does a bad timing belt sound?

What happens exactly when the timing chain goes and how many dollars are you looking at spending if it goes when the engine is running, I know it costs about $1100 to replace the belt but what damage will it do to the engine of a 1994 E420.

It's hard to believe and dissappointing that there is no permanent fix for this problem yet.

Thanks for your help.

You used the term "timing chain" and belt in your post.

Just know that you do not have a belt that connects your crank to your camshafts. You have a chain.

The usual symptom is a slapping noise at start-up. This is a loose chain slapping against the plastic guides, and this is what usually causes your engine to break.

The loose chain slaps against the guides at start-up. The plastic guides are old and the plastic is brittle. The plastic breaks and the bits and pieces get stuck in the chain and the cam sprocket. The chain stops turning, and the result is the valves will hit the top of the pistons, and your camshaft(s) will likely bend.

This is sooooo common on the V8 engines (116, 117, 119) that I bet every MB shop does several every week. This forum is full of engines where this breakdown happened. There are at least two active threads where this occurred.

I'd guess if it breaks you're looking at $4,000????

If I were you, I'd replace the chain, guides, and tensioner every 100,000 miles.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Is this truly common on the 119 engine? I've heard it is common on earlier V8s but NOT the M119.

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Steve
'93 400E

WOW, 4 grand if the chain goes. How about the 6's. I just bought my Benz recently, runs and drives excellent, but I'd like to be on the lookout for any developing problems if they occur. BTW, 184,000 miles and running strong. I haven't been able to buy the repair CD yet (HEY Santa, hint, hint, nudge, nudge) but hope to by February.

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1991 300SE (my ride, 279,000 miles, looks almost new
1954 Cadillac (21 yo son's car, he bought when age 15)
1972 SeaBird 19 ft runabout (old but solid, slant six, Volvo sterndrive perfect condition, undergoing complete overhaul and refit)
1998 Toyota Rav4 (my sons daily driver when he is in the Continental US, PROUDLY serving in US Navy)

Bruce, with regular oil changes the chain on the sixes will go alot longer than the v8's. You should be able to look at the amount of "stretch" to determine about when to change it.

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Jim

Thanks engatwork. I was hoping you'd say something like that. My recently bought Benz was/had been serviced at the Macon MB dealer. It now has 184,000 miles and I plan to change the oil, etc every 5,000 miles. Maybe you'll see me tootling around Monticello if ya get up this way.

__________________
1991 300SE (my ride, 279,000 miles, looks almost new
1954 Cadillac (21 yo son's car, he bought when age 15)
1972 SeaBird 19 ft runabout (old but solid, slant six, Volvo sterndrive perfect condition, undergoing complete overhaul and refit)
1998 Toyota Rav4 (my sons daily driver when he is in the Continental US, PROUDLY serving in US Navy)

Any known chain problems on the 201s?

Hello Azhari,

I think the 201's have a timing belt and not a chain, from what I remember if the belt snaps, you might be left stranded but there should be no damage to the engine.

Thanks for the advice, suginami

Mercedes engines have never used timing belts.

They all, diesel included, had chains.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Using belts for timing is a cost cutting measure that puts more margin in the sale price of the new car, and also serves as a gift to the dealers in the form of increased service business. When MB resorts to the use of timing belts, I will have purchased my last MB.

The failure of a timing chain is rarely the chain itself. It is more commonly a broken rail, failed tensioner or improper reassembly.

The key, especially for the V8's is to inspect the rails and associated components on a regular basis. If you replace a perfectly good chain, you are increasing your odds of failure because you are introducing the possibility of incorrect reassembly. Also, replacing the chain without paying attention to the associated components is probably a waste of time, and there again adds the risk of incorrect reassembly. One bolt left loose or pin not fully seated could prove disastrous whereas had it been left alone it may have lasted forever.

Your most valuable chain maintenance is FREQUENT oil changes, regardless of your choice of oil brand. Leaving the oil in too long builds up microscopic particulate that will wear your chain prematurely, not to mention other engine components.

Merry Christmas,

Sounds good...

Oops,sorry for the confusion.

Thanks for the advice, Larry.