How do you know if you have one or not? I imagine you have release tension on chain and then take camshaft sprocket off and examine key w/o losing tension on chain before even breaking chain apart. Is the key marked if it is offset and not stock? I do not think I have one but not sure as I do not know history of car.

It will be obvious once you get to it. But, It's about the same work as rolling in a new chain.
Tensioner, guide and sprocket will need to come off to see it.

Someone said how they check for the Key a long time ago but I don't think the thread made it to the Repair Links.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

You should be able to remove the cam sprocket bolt, tap the sprocket out until you can see the key without it coming off, and observe the key. The offset key will be obvious.

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1981 300TD 310k miles
1970 280sel 172k miles
1966 230 Fintail 162k miles

"Where are we going? And why am I in this hand basket?"

Check the threads in my signature...

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

If you just remove the bolt on the camshaft sprocket and the washer you can see what type of key is fitted.

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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!

There are several keys available..... are the numbers stamped on the end to identify the number of degree correction... or you have to measure something to find out ?

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Yep chapter 05-215 in ye olde FSM has a table in para 8 that shows the offset key described in distance (mm) and degrees



Image borrowed from this thread =>

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/352303-offset-key-stretched-chain.html

So with a tape measure you can get a pretty good idea what was fitted. Sure it will be better to remove the key and measure it properly but if you woz lazy...

For the record I've measured the "degrees of elongation" and I reckon the offset keys are a bit out of whack!

__________________
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!