A new timing chain has just been installed, what a job! Found out that the fan clutch is seized, and one of the blades has a crack. Ordered a replacement 9-bladed plastic fan and new clutch already.

I won't cover the basics on how to, there are more threads about that here in the archives/forum. However, I wanted to document the job for reference.

MB's chain is JWIS:


The timing chain tensioner spring has a portion that rubs against the tensioner housing. This one in mine was worn halfway through


It's also noticeably shorter than a new spring:


Those pins were tricky to remove! Took a while to get this one, as well as the lower pin, out from the block.


After all these miles and years (almost 30 years, 230k miles), there is a lot of material left on the rail, but the wear is noticeable:



Grinding off a link in the original chain:


Original chain disconnected:


New JWIS chain is nicely made and the links are significantly thicker than the original:


Out with the old, in with the new:


Crimping the new links together:


New master link in blue:


While we were at it, a valve adjustment was also done. Only 3 slightly tight valves. Not bad:


In case somebody tries to get the weird shaped gasket for the thermostat housing to engine, here's an image for reference:



Make sure you also get the water pump to pump housing gasket, that sucker was a royal PITA to remove. Apparently they used adhesive from the factory when they were new. I had to use a razor blade to remove the stuck adhesive from the water pump flange to get a good seal.



And while you're at it, CLEAN!







And do not forget to mark parts before removing! Otherwise they will not be in sync/alignment



More pics for reference.

Nice pictures Sir!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Nice work! I like working clean as well, can't understand anyone who doesn't(?) Did you have to remove the water pump as part of the chain replacement, or was it a separate operation that you just performed at the same time?

The water pump removal allowed access to the lower pin. The housing made it significantly more difficult to remove this pin.

The separate job we performed was also performing a cooling system service w/ MB antifreeze.

Just looked through your photos, beautiful 300D! Which model did the 15" bundt wheels come on originally, the 6.9?

great pictures!

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

sooo much bokeh...

Nice pics!

Yes! Please tell us about the gear...

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Thanks guys!

Gear: Nikon D300 w/ Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF-S, basically my standard lens + body setup nowadays.

Mostly shot at f/1.8 due to low light

Drove the car today, and it somewhat feels different than how it did before. Maybe it was the valve adjustment. I'm waiting for my parts to arrive from Pelican Parts...

Nice work and amazing pictures as always.

Nice, I have the D300 and the 50mm 1.4, so Ill have to give it a try next time Im working on my car.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

.

great pics mate,..finally I decided to stop using my bloody nokia 71 for pics
my wife has also D300...so from now on... Nikon it is


btw whats the p/n of the timing chain tensioner spring? thanks.
.

__________________
w126 500SEC gen II euro, powered by OM617 turbo stolen from 84 300SD 2.88 diff,EGR blinded
next wish/project: w114 coupe OM603 powered

Thanks guys! f/1.4 is definitely better than f/1.8

Spring p/n: 110-993-39-01

FYI, here's a close up of the difference in timing chain link thickness.

New chain in smooth, lighter gray, with the old chain a darker tone with more texture on surface:

I wear nitrile gloves all day long. I never let my hands get dirty. You should avoid contact with used oil....

__________________
Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD?????

1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013



100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership