When to replace timing chain?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Douge · #1 03-26-2009, 04:34 PM

I am on the hunt for diesel, maybe an SDL or possibly a W210 E300 and the ones I have seen have been broken in, upwards of 225K and 255K and I recall someone saying the timing chain needs to be changed out on the SDL.

Is this true of the motor in the W210 as well? I like the W210, the body and the character of the car but I don't know what motor it uses and if its worthy of a run to 500K or more. Any feedback?

TIA

johnbonds · #2 03-26-2009, 04:55 PM

On the advice of several Benz independent mechanics, I did it at 190k. The risks of breaking it were just too great for me, and doing it ahead of time made sense. I don't think I'll put another 190k on it, so it's a once in a lifetime expense for me.

John Bonds, '82 240D 4sp, daily driver since 1986.
Charleston

Diesel911 · #3 03-26-2009, 05:06 PM

I think you know this already.

I do not think there is a clear answer to you question. More than likely you will not know the complete history of the car you buy.

A well maintained 255k car will not be in that same condition as a poorly maintained one.
A low milage Car that has overheated coolant or Oil wise might be near death.

As far as the Timing Chain Stretch goes few Sellers are going to let you pull off the Valve Cover to check it for fear that you might mess up something.

A Seller with paper work to show a good maint history is a pluse but this still will not tell you if the car had some misshap (again back to the overheating issue) that there is no paper work for or the seller will not or cannot tell you about.

Buying a used car is always a gamble. Buying a used Mercedes can be a more costly gamble.

ah-kay · #4 03-26-2009, 05:16 PM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It is always my motto.

It is $$ for the dealership.

compress ignite · #5 03-26-2009, 05:26 PM

See Above

TMAllison · #6 03-26-2009, 06:17 PM

The 606 chain is supposedly not under as much tension as older engines were and therefore not as suseptable to stretch.

Douge · #7 03-26-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

The 606 chain is supposedly not under as much tension as older engines were and therefore not as suseptable to stretch.

So from the responses I think it would simply be a matter of preventative maint to open it up and check the tension and it may or may not need to be replaced.

Thanks for the feedback.

sixto · #8 03-26-2009, 09:56 PM

Not check tension, check stretch or elongation. Set cam sprocket and cam tower alignment marks then note how far off TDC the crank pulley is.

Sixto
87 300D

vstech · #9 03-26-2009, 10:07 PM

EXACTLY set the cam alignment marks and THEN check the crankshaft pulley timing marks. What I have heard is the chain "stretch" (actually, it's just material wear on the two gears, and the rollers of the chain. nothing really stretches...) has 4 amounts that can be offset by special gear keys. when you have reached the maximum wear offset of the keys, you have to change the chain, AND the gears...

#10 03-26-2009, 10:44 PM

The cam marks are only alignment marks for installation. They shouldn't be used for checking elongation, thats what the 2mm lift method in the FSM is for.

Jeremy5848 · #11 03-26-2009, 11:41 PM

AFAIK, the chain in my '96 E300D (W210, OM606) has never been changed (260,000 miles). I suppose I should pull check the timing one of these days. Any way to do it without pulling the valve cover?

TMAllison · #12 03-27-2009, 12:05 AM

I've got teh procedure somewhere if you need it Jeremy. IIRC the valve cover has to come off which is why i haven't checked mine at 260K either.......