84 190E 2.3 Timing Chain & Other Problems Please REad
 

My timing chain on my 1984 Mercedes 190E 2.3 just broke. I took it to a friends house who works on these cars. He said while taking off the radiator, he found oil in the antifreeze??? Is this a major problem? What makes oil get into the antifreeze or radiator? What could be the problem here? Please leave a post if you can help answer these questions...Thanks :)

Ryan

Oil in the coolant is usually due to a leaking head gasket. That is pretty academic now that your timing chain has broken as there is a fair chance that one or more valves will have sustained damage. If this is the case the cylinder head will need to be removed, overhauled and reinstalled with a new head gasket fitted. Inspection will also be required to ensure damage has not occured to the pistons, cylinder walls, camshaft or other components due to the broken chain.

Re: 84 190E 2.3 Timing Chain & Other Problems Please REad
 

And since there is a good chance that your head gasket is blown(read 99% chance from your description), just be happy it wasn't the other way around. cooland in the block equals REALLY bad. Head gasket job isn't too bad, especially once you've done it. follow directions and you should have no problem. P.S. use a good gasket manufacturer...Find the best gasket you can for it(ask or search around here)

Thanks for your reply! As far as damage to from the chain breaking, how much damage do you think could have been done? I had been driving it for about 2 months with the chain making noise. I wasn't driving at a very high speed at all when the chain broke. I was going about 15mph and the break occured between a shift from first to second gear. I shut the car down immediately once the chain broke. Do you think that would have done a lot of damage since the chain broke at such low speed? Please let me know...thanks a lot.

Ryan

Well, if the engine wasn't revved too high, and you're incredibly lucky, you may get away with a couple bent valves. But you will need to tear it apart and find out. It shouldn't be too bad. I've seen the engines destroyed, though I've only changed head gaskets in one and it was relatively a minorly damaged one.