How big a job is the timinmg chain replacement on the 190E 2.6?

Each morning the car starts with this :chatter chatter chatter", then settles down. I'm guessing that's the timing chain and other things.

Well, I have taken the car to two different mechanics, one a dealer, and both "skirted" the topic. Almost like they didn't want to go there.

Feeling trust with a mechanic is important - I walked away from both.

My personal experieinced with the 103 engine have been painful - in short because things are so close to each other. Well engineered - but a pain get at parts.

So what are your thoughts - I'm an average DIYer. Should I or the mechanic be ovoiding this operations?

__________________
Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup

....the procedure should be similar to the one I illustrated on my web site. Check the guide rails while you are in there.

Go to Cars - Technical - Motor.

I keep hearing from everyone that the timing chains on these cars usually never go bad as long as the oil changes have been done at the proper interval. But yet, another post about the timing chain. What does everyone think??

for the 110,000 of the 140,000 currently on the odometer - the oil has been changed between 3 - 5,000 mile interval.

dino fluid

Car is well kept, hence I noticed the noise.

besides - the 560SL and the 500SEL have both received new timing chains. I guess I'm just in the habbit.

Other comments are appreciated.

__________________
Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup

The impression I get about the M103 is that they virtually never need a chain replacement. When I had the head off our 300TE at around 140,000km (for a head gasket and valve stem seals) I had a new chain and tensioner ready to fit. Due to no obvious difference between the new and old chain and the lack of availability of the correct chain rivetting tool I elected to fit only the new tensioner. I was reluctant to replace an original chain (with no apparent wear) with a new one joined by either an improvised rivetting technique or by a clip type joining link. That was about 3 years ago and the car has now done about 175,000km. Others please assure me that I made the right decision.

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

I am so impress with the commitment members of this BB
Thanks to Thomaspin for his dedication to take photos and
provide comments. Your web site is thorough.

Thanks again.

__________________
Thanks for the help
Bill Fisher

'86 560SL (186K) - Now a 'classic' : Registered as an Historic Vehicle
02 E430 in the stable
'14 LS460 (Lexus)
- - - - -
'95 E420 (198K) found a new home
'99 E320 (80K) (gave it's life for me as we hit a bumper)
'95 E420 (231K) Sold to a happy buyer, new to Mercedes
'90 300E (65K) Sold to an Mercedes Lover
'92 190E (215K) - retired to the salvage yard
'93 500SEL (214K) - Moved to another family, still runs like a young pup

The timing chain on my M103 engine DID break. That occurred at about 230,000 miles.

Check for stretch first.

I did have chatter, or ticking afterward for a second or so until oil pressure comes up. I attributed this to a hydraulic lifter.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)