New Guy Questions - 84 2.2 Chain, Manuals, etc. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-12-2002, 02:35 AM

OK, I read everything timing chain related and then some on 12 pages here.

Does anyone know:

Can I roll a new one into this engine?

Will anything fall into the pan (or apart) if I pull the tensioner to inspect it?

Do you leave the tensioner in while you roll in the chain?

Also, this car is a 5spd and has an oddball driveshaft balancer on the front end of the shaft which is broken and setting up a vibration. Benz wants $800 for the lousy thing because they only sell it with a front shaft matched. Has anybody cut one of the blasted things off and balanced the shaft?

I don't remember seeing anything in the rules here about trading, so if anyone in western Washington needs a tight quiet 240D engine that doesn't smoke and auto trans, I am going to be selling the 74 for $700 OBO due to a serious hit in the right front. It didn't hurt the radiator so it still will drive anywhere.

Thanks

#2 06-17-2002, 08:18 PM

Well, the aftermarket chain and tensioner get here tomorrow, so I guess I'll try rolling it in. What's the worst that can happen, having to tear it all apart anyway? I wish I knew for sure whether I should leave the tensioner in while I roll in the new chain, and whether I can pull that thing without something I can't reach falling or getting into an irretrievable position in this one.

For that money I'm going to cut the balancer off with my 4" right angle grinder after I figure out where it's weighted, and then weld or clamp a weight on the shaft. If that doesn't do it I'll have to find a machine shop that can spin the thing for me.

Any suggestions yet? Thanks

jobah · #3 06-17-2002, 10:38 PM

Cut the balancer. I did so about 9 years and 200,000 miles ago. It is not a big deal. In fact, I notice almost no difference other than I replace the center support bearing more often (Ive had 4 of them).

The timing chain can just be rolled in if it appears that the guides are not in bad shape. If they look bad, then it is time to replace them. This is not too bad for the upper one but the lower one is hard to do with the engine fully assembled.

Hope this helps.

#4 06-19-2002, 12:06 AM

Serious thanks, Jobah. I'll check the rails and see what they look like, but I would be real suprised to see `em gone at 154K. Maybe I should replace the one I can reach anyway for drill so long as I'm in there. Nice to know you have some serious miles on one of these things. I wasn't too sure about the 2.2. I just got this thing with the balancer problem and a broken tranny mount, and I sort of expected a support/carrier problem, since you can't see anything for the front heat sheild, so hopefully eliminating the balancer and replacing the mount will get me there. I'll check the carrier again, which felt ok, but I can get a little clank by counter-rotating the shaft halves, so I may need to set up the nut.

piccolovic · #5 06-21-2002, 02:16 AM

I have almost 300K on mine. I did a valve job and clutch (whether I needed or not) before moving to rural Montana, 'cause I didn't know what the situation would be for finding a mechanic worth their salt. I've owned this car for 100K and had very little trouble with it. Mechanic said the cylinders showed no wear and the rings were good, so I'm expecting at least another 150K before anything major.

jobah · #6 06-21-2002, 09:10 AM

Life Expectancy

Here is my personal experience:

Clutch 227k and counting, I purchased the car in 89 with 60k, imho the po did not know how to work the clutch because I had to replace it at 100k. The only problem I've had is that the shifting mechanism is worn out (have the repair bearing and bracket coming on Monday).

Engine 327k and counting, head gasket replaced at 212k due to leak near junction of head, block and front cover. When I replaced it, pistons looked great, valves looked great, cylinder walls looked great.

Injectors 170k and counting, replaced at about 155k

Alternator, replaced at 291k

Center support bearing on the drive shaft has been my biggest problem; I have replaced it three or four times.

I currently go through about 1qt every 2k to 2.5k miles. Not bad for an original car with 327kmi. I currently use the car for mixed highway and city driving (I drive about 80-100 miles a day). It is due to old valve guides that I have not gotten to yet (yes, I have the parts for over a year now).

It is a wonderful car.