Good question. I've wondered this often. Asside from transmission , the timing chain, tensioner is the only other thing that worries me on my 250,000 mile cars. What happens when the tensioner goes or the timing chain goes? Does it just trash the head normally ?

This usually comes up for me when someone needs 1000 or 2000 in suspension and tires and such and wants to know if they can get a few more years out of their old benz. I generally say yes but am always wondering about the timing chain tensioner.

Did someone say you have to pull the head to replace that? It sounds like the best option is to just drive it till something breaks and then do a head and chains and all ? I like that answer . I'll keep driving and forget about it.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius