Dave,

Your post was very clear and described one of the possible reasons I had thought of causing the slack in the chain between the two cam sprockets.

Question: I did not set the engine to TDC before I started this process. If I remove the spark plugs and rotate the engine by hand to TDC using the crankshaft damper bolt, can the cam timing get out of alignment any further than the slight amount it might be? I would think not, but I want to play it safe.

Also, if I have turn bring the exhaust cam counterclockwise a hair, any harm done if I turn it back from the current position just to see if the tensioner pops into place?

Thank you for your response--I'm sure this is the cause of the problem

Jim

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Jim Herold--Current: 1987 190E 16V, 1999 ML 430--Past: 1971 280 SL, 1972 250