Last minute timing chain questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jmana · #1 08-25-2006, 11:06 PM

I'm going to go ahead and change out my timing chain tomorrow. Don't know if it really needs it, but I can't make sense of the instructions for checking stretch, so since I have the new chain, I figured I'd go ahead and do it. I took the valve cover off tonight, and the guides look like new, so I am going to leave them in place. My question is does the tension from the tensioner need to be taken off prior to putting the new chain in? If so, how do I do that. And how do I make sure the new chain doesn't have any slack? I am going to leave the tensioner in place for now, as I didn't get a chance to order a new one, and it seems as if I can change that out later, is that a correct assumption? And one other dumb question, I know you have to turn the engine clockwise, but is that clockwise looking at it from the front, or clockwise as if you were sitting in the car?

#2 08-25-2006, 11:16 PM

HERE is the guide you need.

Jmana · #3 08-26-2006, 01:09 AM

The link you provided does not work. That is the main problem I am having with the archives, most of the links are no longer valid.

Jeremy5848 · #4 08-26-2006, 01:14 AM

If you are using Firefox, the braingears site does not work properly unless you modify the url as it appears in the index. For some reason, some of the slashes are backslashes and Firefox chokes. You can either edit the url to fix the slashes or use Internet Explorer, which translates automatically.

This problem is discussed in this forum; do a search for "braingears."

Jmana · #5 08-26-2006, 01:18 AM

Hey thanks, I never would have guessed it was my browser, I just assumed that the website addresses had changed. I'll try again!

#6 08-26-2006, 01:46 AM

Sorry, I copied the filename as 05-7601hf.pdf insted of 05-7601hx.pdf

The link in my last post works now.

Jmana · #7 08-26-2006, 10:30 AM

There's 2 questions I have that haven't been answered elsewhere. First: If reusing the tensioner (temporarily) is there anything I have to do to it? I have read that it has a racheting action, does this mean I have to back off the tension prior to reinstalling it, or does it automatically do this when you take the tension off it by taking it out? Also, when it's out, does the banana slide need to come out?
Second question: My master link didn't come with an installation clip. How can I temporarily hold the new and old chain together? Can I just put in together with the master link without having a clip on it?

Brian Carlton · #8 08-26-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmana

There's 2 questions I have that haven't been answered elsewhere. First: If reusing the tensioner (temporarily) is there anything I have to do to it? I have read that it has a racheting action, does this mean I have to back off the tension prior to reinstalling it, or does it automatically do this when you take the tension off it by taking it out? Also, when it's out, does the banana slide need to come out?
Second question: My master link didn't come with an installation clip. How can I temporarily hold the new and old chain together? Can I just put in together with the master link without having a clip on it?

You can reuse the tensioner. It's the spring that should be replaced. When you remove the tensioner, you'll notice that the piston only ratchets one way.......it won't move outward. So, slide it all the way out (toward the inside) and insert it from the outside. Now it can start it's ratcheting motion from the beginning. Install it back onto the head and, when you insert the spring, it will ratchet to the point of just contacting the chain. Oil pressure on the piston will then set it properly.

You certainly can use the end plate without a clip. In fact, once you snap the plate into position, you might have a hard time removing it. It's usually a tight fit on the pins.

Jmana · #9 08-26-2006, 11:47 AM

Ran into another problem. Tried getting the fan off, but the damn pully just spins when I try turning the 8mm bolt. Holding the fan doesn't work. I now see a reference to a pully holder, but of course I don't have one. Any idea how to get it off?

Jmana · #10 08-26-2006, 12:59 PM

Solved this problem by holding the pully with some channel locks. Also had to cut about an inch off of my allen wrench, so I could clear the radiator. What a pain it was to get the fan off, would have been easier with the radiator out, but I've never had one out so I am trying to keept this job simple.

Jmana · #11 08-26-2006, 01:22 PM

Brian,
You said I can reuse the tensioner, but the spring should be replaced, unfortunately I cannot find the spring for sale anywhere. It doesn't look like it comes with the tensioner either. Where do I go to get one?

Carrameow · #12 11-07-2006, 08:02 PM

Tomorrow is trash day and I just recovered my spring from the trash. I knew there was something missing. He never got his answer, I am stumbling upon this post in November 2006, its been in limbo since August 2006, no one helped him, the poor guy probably took it to the dealer.

He was right however. The new tensioners dont come with a spring or a Seal Bolt. They want you to reuse your old one. What a cheap mess!

Brian Carlton · #13 11-07-2006, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrameow

Tomorrow is trash day and I just recovered my spring from the trash. I knew there was something missing. He never got his answer, I am stumbling upon this post in November 2006, its been in limbo since August 2006, no one helped him, the poor guy probably took it to the dealer.

He was right however. The new tensioners dont come with a spring or a Seal Bolt. They want you to reuse your old one. What a cheap mess!

Seek and ye shall find, oh young man:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1XL0VHEI01XT17BISE&year=1984&make=MB&model=300-SD-002&category=A&part=Chain+Tensioner+Spring