W114 model 230.6 with chain tensioner issue

[diehard914]

Hello,
I have a grey market 1974 w114 model 230.6 which is the 2.3 inline 6cyl not the 4 cylinder found normally in the US. I had a mishap with the oil cooler, lost some oil and did damage to the chain tensioning system. The chain is not stretched, only shows about 2 degrees or so but the hydraulic chain tensioner won't apply enough tension. There is some drag mark on a lower gear that proves it was running loose. Car will run and idle but the chain rattles if you try to accelerate much over 2000 rpm. I did disassemble and clean the whole unit. It is the type that uses the ball bearing and cup inside at the end of the spring to act as an internal check valve to suck in the oil from the pool it sits in. I'm having trouble getting it to hold taught, I filled it with oil as a prime before I reinstalled and then pulled the chain tight on the opposite side (wrench on crank clockwise) before I installed. Perhaps it's too scored to hold the pressure as there are wear marks on the piston. It is possible I'm doing something wrong, I will remove the valve cover and try to pump it up manually and will check on the bearing and cup one more time. My problem may be finding a replacement seeing as my car is grey market. Even though it's a 1974 W114, I seem to find it resembles the earlier version that was used until 1972 maybe, as seen on a W113 I saw online. Does anyone have any parts source, new or used? Does anyone know of a substitute, even an aftermarket manual version?

First photo is the chain damage from running loose, other two photos are the tensioner type.

Basically I have the M130 motor variant of the M180 family of motors as I understand it.

Thoughts?
Thanks,
Diehard

[diehard914]

Did some tinkering today. Removed the 27mm nut to confirm the aluminum crush washer was inside. Next I pumped the tension arm toward the driver side with a prybar. It was hard to push backwards but I would cycle the engine till it got some slack, then pump it again. Anyway I thought it was fine, and holding so long as I went only clockwise. If the compression pushed me back she would get some slack but not like it did when I first opened this up (first attempt). Anyway, I closed her up, started the car and drove lightly. Still sounds like I'm rattling the chain, still have the timing fluctuating, still pretty certain the chain goes loose as the rpm climb. Nursed her around the block, back to square one.

Need tensioner or aftermarket solution.
Thanks,
Diehard

[kraakevik]

That chain tensioner should be available new at a reasonable price at Mercedes or elsewhere--you might try installing a new one and see if that does the trick.

If you run the engine without a positive one-way tensioner the chain may jump a cog or two--good luck



Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net
630 940-2420