Are the M110 engines typically noisy? At idle mine sounds a bit like a diesel. I am unsure of the mileage on the engine but it is likely to be over 300,000.
Would a slack timing chain cause noisy valve gear? Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

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'72 280CE
'05 Honda Odyssey (wifes car!)

Is it idling smoothly with just noise ?
Can you isolate the noise by using a screwdriver or something similar as a stethoscope ?

Well ...

I have two and yes, Boy Howdy! they make a lot of noise. I haven't really gotten into them yet (busy with my V8s) but I know regular valve adjustments are required. Maybe it (the noise) is a built in reminder to do valve adjustments? LOL

I'll be pulling the head later this summer (hopefully) on the '77 and will have it redone - I'll report back afterwards on whether or not it makes a difference on noise level.

Kevin

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"Dangerous with a wrench...and not smart enough to know it"

Stable (in order of acqusition):
'84 500SL, 280SEL (Euros)
'77 280SE. '90 560SEL
'79 450SEL 6.9,
'95 C280 (totalled by daughter 8/07)
'81 280SL (rescued) '88 300CE
'86 560SEC '95 C36
'01 CL55

DD's: '04 S500 4Matic (SWMBO)
'04 F150 Crew

I have four and they all have valve noise. The chains are short and would make noise only if they are REALLY loose.

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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

It idles nice and smooth. The valves have not been adjusted in my ownership but I will see to that shortly. I tried to isolate the noise with a stethoscope but I was unable to. I guess it will be just one item at a time.

Thanks,

Mark

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'72 280CE
'05 Honda Odyssey (wifes car!)

I owned a 78 280CE at one time. The engine was always noisy. I always worried about the timing chain. A factory-certified MB mechanic told me that engine has the most indestructible timing chain setup in MB history, and the only way to keep the engine quiet was to do a valve adjustment every 15,000 miles. Instead, I ignored it, never did get a valve adjustment. Nothing bad ever happened in the 100,000 miles more I drove it before I sold it.

On stretched timing chain, yes it can be contributing factor. Stretch is measured in degrees setting the engine at TDC and then checking the mark on camshaft with stantion, comparing it with TDC crankshaft. 10-12* degrees is considered excessive.