I just got done with replacing the chain guides on my car, I'm replacing the chain too...that's next. One problem that I noticed. Before I took anything apart, the timing was off about 12 or 13 degrees to the left, now with it back together, the timing is off a little over 15 degrees to the right .

Few facts:

Chain not yet replaced

Tensioner is not on it right now

The only cam gear I actually removed was the left one, was marked with paint and I am certain it was put back on correctly

The drivers side chain right now has some slack, while the chain on the tensioner side is very tight, won't budge

I turned the engine one full revolution and nothing seemed to be amiss

Timing mark is lined up on the camshaft


Is there anything/what might I have done wrong, and how can I correct this? Thanks for any help!

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'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."

Your chain is now in an unnatural situation. The tensioner takes up slack on the right. Check the marks on the both cams' thrust washers against the marks on the towers with #1 at TDC on the crank. Then put the tensioner in and crank the engine a couple of times to pressurize it, and recheck. You should be very close unless your chain has a lot of stretch.

What happened to your adventure with the tensioner rail plug?

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

With the tensioner plug....I just tapped the allen wrench with a hammer to get it in as far as possible and then I put about all of my weight on it and it popped loose. So good luck there. As for your response to my last post...you're basically saying there is nothing wrong? I'm not sure exactly what you mean by checking the marks on the thrust washer against the towers and then the crank. The only marks I know of are the ones on top of the towers and then the degrees on the crank. Thanks for your help!

__________________
'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."

There will be a washer between each sprocket and cam tower that turns with the respective cam. It will have a notch in the outside edge that you line up with a mark on the driver's side of each cam tower. These marks should be very close when the crank is at #1 TDC.

Nice work on the plug!

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

One last thing! I am still assuming nothing is actually wrong with my engine at this point right? I just need to put in the tensioner? Do I put in the new tensioner first, or do I roll in the new chain and then put in the tensioner? Thanks again for your help.

__________________
'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."

I think you're in fine shape. Here is what I did.

I rolled in the new chain with the tensioner out, starting at the outer side of the right sprocket. Then I connected the new chain. Then I turned the crank until #1 was at TDC on the crank and made sure that the timing marks were lined up or close. Then I put the tensioner in rotated the crank a couple or turns, and re-checked the alignment of the marks. With a new chain, all three should be spot-on.

It helps to have someone hold the "tail" of the chain while you rotate the crank.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Thanks! I'll do that, and I'll use the C-clips. If the C-clips fail, I'll be sure to post it on here, and I'll let everyone know how I like my new 10:1 300HP 560!:p

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'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."

I kept the tensioner in, but loosened the mounting bolts a little more than halfway. I figured having the tensioner providing a little tension would keep everything in perspective. My replacement chain came with two small clips rather than the single large one. Have gone about 13K miles with no problems. Be sure to mount the c-clips with the open end trailing, that way if the clip should contact anything it will be pushed on rather than knocked off.

You will also find that getting the new tensioner in is a real be-itch. Took everything I could muster to push it in and hold it while trying to the the bolts started - you'll see.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Success!!! I rolled on the chain, put on the tensioner (not too bad, I just put it on on a part of the chain where the tension is not as high), then put it at TDC, and all 3 marks (cams, crank) are spot on!!

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'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."