Can this be fixed--87 300D Timing Cover crack (pl dont laugh)
 

I thought I would just give it a nudge with a hammer and a mallet, I should have known better--there was an unremoved bolt hidden under neath the timing cover sludge--PLEASE SAY IT CAN BE FIXED----and I thought I was Good....

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/snow7ice/Crack.jpg

603 timing cover
 

I don't know if it can be fixed, but it can be replaced from salvage yards. Thought my belt tensioner bolt was stripped, so picked one up for about $75. If you can't find one, mine's gathering dust.

if you're serious...you got a deal...
 

if you're serious...you got a deal...

I thought aluminum could be welded
 

with a specail technique....

Does the crack go all the way from the mouting bolt to the vacuum pump sealing surface? If so, that's a heck of a crack to fix. I think it'll be cheaper to replace it. If it feels solid despite the crack then maybe cutting a 'V' into the crack on both sides and filling with JB Weld is good enough. That's a big labor investment just to see if it works, though.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I've neary broken a couple GM waterpumps from that silly little bolt that does nothing but hold the HUGE waterpump casting in place while you fit dozens of 1/4" bolts in...

In all seriousness, you need to replace that cover. It's cracked through the oil seal area, is is very likely to drip oil all the time if welded, to say nothing of the likelyhood of it being flat again after welding it up being nil.

I would have just pulled the chain through -- the only way it could be off is if you drop it and get it a tooth off on a sproket, it only fits that way, no "adjustment" possible.

Peter

I agree with Peter. You certainly could weld it, but the aluminum will crawl all over the place and your flatness of the mounting surface will go bye-bye.

As a welder I can tell you that the crack can be welded with either TIG or MIG. Brian is right that if it extends through the seal area it will require a bit of creative welding and grinding.

Get the local Yellow Pages and call a few welding shops in your area. Ask them if they have aluminum welding facilities and if so what kind. Take the cover to the shop and ask for an estimate. Look over the shop and see how clean it is. Ask them how they will keep the cover from warping. A cover with a flat side like yours can easily be bolted or clamped to a flat work table. Ask to see a sample of their work. Ask which type of welding they recommend for the cover. Personally I like TIG because you have more control. Try 4 or 5 shops if you can. I bet their prices will vary by 100%. If the crack goes into the seal area then there will be some hand grinding which will run the cost up.

Before you get it welded find out how much for a used cover. The welding job will easily cost you $75-100 and if you can get a used one for $100-150 it might be worth the effort.

Carrera

I don't mean to rub salt into your open wounds but please tell me again why you removed the timing chain case cover to replace the timing chain?

Everytime to have to remove and replace a part there is a chance you will break something. Keep it simple.

I wanted to change the front oil seal
 

which was leaking. Also once when I rolled in a chain, I was off a tooth or so, and I wanted to be directly on. I also wanted to do the chain guides.The water pump too. You know the labor involved wasnt that bad, maybe it was 5 hours more....I was really working carefully too, i thought i would never make a mistake this stupid (though i have before) . When I saw that bolt hidden underneath a dab of sludge, i was furious

Also i know it sounds funny,,
 

but I was curious too see the engine, everyone was telling me that the W124 was very hard to fix...