weird advice from mechanic - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Victor300E · #1 01-05-2006, 01:56 AM

Hello. My mechanic (owner of 94 s420) knows everything about Benzes and BMWs. He did a lot of different jobs on 3 of my MBs and I was very pleased with his knowledge and work. But when I brought new timing chain to replace old making noise chain in my 92 500sel, he said he will not roll it in. He will need to open timing chain cover and change chain as 1 peice.

I changed few giude rails and others(inner) look good. Chain makes noise like its a bearing noise. Very annoying. My mechanic said that if I'll roll chain in attached to old one, new chain will most likely break. Thats the reason he will not do it. Any thoughts on this situation? He is very reasonable price wise but I heard that poeple change chains even themselfs. I am DIYer but its cold out and really want to change it. Any advice?

Thank you

mbdoc · #2 01-05-2006, 08:19 AM

ON M119 engine that job isn't a DIYer at all! IF you want to "roll" that chain into the motor you must BUY a special tool SET from www.technictool.com & have at least 3 people for 6-10 hrs to get that job done. & then another tool to "crimp" the master link on the new chain!

braverichard · #3 01-05-2006, 10:38 PM

Damn...

So what's the typical cost of a timing chain replacement on that car?

TimFreeh · #4 01-06-2006, 08:11 AM

I've done a timing chain on an M119 engine and I don't remember it being any more difficult than any other chain I've replaced. My upper chain guides are as brittle as glass and you have to be careful that you don't drop any guide pieces into the engine.

I did have to buy a different crimp tool - the jaws on the tool used to crimp the chains on the OM60x, OM61X and M103 engines were too large to properly crimp the pins on the chain used in the M119 engine. The only other tool I bought was a set of pins that are used to lock the camshafts in position at a specified position to check the valve timing.

I did the job by myself and it certianly did not take 6-10 hours, YMMV.

It certainly would be better to remove the front timing chain cover and renew all the chain guides but it's quite a bit more work than just rolling a new chain in.

Victor300E · #5 01-07-2006, 01:10 AM

Tim. You are saying it was not that bad? I seen instruction online somewhere and it did not look that hard to do chain swap. But as you mentioned I do need to buy crimper. I replaced guides on top and 2 inner. Guides that are deep in the engine looked OK when I looked with flash light. I was thinking to remove the cover but its cold in NY now so I have to wait untill spring at least. I also was thinking about making a roller on attached to peice of 2x4 to the lengh of new chain, connect 2 chains together to make one closed chain out of 2, tense the roller so chain is tensed and just roll it in. What do yuo guys think of that? I do need to buy 2 new chain links to do that though.