I have an OM603 with end pieces of the timing chain guide (plastic portion) found in the oil pan. A few others have told me not to worry if just the end come off, but I'd rather replace them. In a post here last year, someone mentioned that they replaced just the liner thus getting around having to remove the cylinder head. Does anyone know where to obtain just the liner? I'd be grateful for any direction on this.

Thanks!

Here's the thread where it's mentioned.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/294081-help-how-remove-timing-chain-tensioner-guide-rail-om603.html

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

You know, the more I look at the rail assembly, I'm wondering if he meant you can just separate or unclip the liner and clip it to the old rail. It seems by looking at it that you can.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Forget just removing the head, you can't replace the tensioner rail without removing the front cover. The old liner will shatter when you pry it from the carrier. You can't possibly extract all the fragments of the old liner. Until you hear from andydiesel I call

Besides, if the tenioner rail is coming apart, the lower guide and oil pump chain tensioner are probably coming apart as well.

Sixto
87 300D^2

Yeah, I dont know. I believe you about the pieces shattering off. But I have a sidesump pan. That's how I removed the pieces of the liner I found. So, if I get the timing cover off, and pieces fall down into the pan, I can easily remove them. Would be interesting to try though...

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

If you remove the front cover, there's no need to mess with the liner apart from a tensioner rail assembly. And you might as well replace the oil pump chain.

Sixto
87 300D^2

After removing front cover and chain, and if the tensioner rail casting is in good condition, the rail liner can be replaced without removing the head.

Purchase new rail and separate the liner from the casting , remove liner from the old rail and replace with the new one. In my case, both old and new liners came off without damage.

It's been a while since I've done this...so I'm short on details. Just examine the retaining system closely before proceeding, take the old one off for practice first.

So the new liner is pretty flexible?

Sixto
87 300D^2

It's fairly rigid, but it flexes enough to be removed.
Imagine nylon glazing stick - feels about the same.

Here's the evidence, old liner and the new unused casting.

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You can replace just the liner on the M116/7s too.

Anyone have the PN for the 603 liner? $7 is better than $30.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

You cannot buy the liner separately on the 60x. You have to buy the entire rail and remove the new liner. The only savings is that you don't need to remove the cylinder head. However unless you are serious pressed for either time or money, or had very recently replaced the head gasket, I would consider this false economy.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Head and timing cover are coming off mine.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Excellent. No need to mess with removing the liner in that case. With the head off you have a much better chance of being leak free when re-installing the timing cover. I assume you'll also replace the oil pump chain while it's apart, given the couple of recent failures reported...

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

I figure I may as well since I am that far in there. Still have to find a shop to reseal my IP.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Huh? The IP re-seal is a DIY, you can buy all the gaskets/seals from MB for under $50 or so. Takes a couple hours on the workbench, worst part is the R&R of the IP. DV seals are optional, if it's dry, I'd skip that... it can be done on the car later if needed.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!