Took a look at the Benzworld thread--I see your dilemma. I remember having this same issue. My TDC marker looks just like yours. The picture in the service CD (the same as provided by Clark71) is different. I believe TDC is when the hole is centered on the mark, but that would mean I am in disagreement with Clark71 and one other poster on the Benzworld thread.

All I can tell you is that I put both my 104s back together using the hole as the TDC marker, not the little tab to the side. Both engines seem to run just fine. Also, before disassembly, I marked the chain and sprockets. When reassembling, I matched the marks. One of my cars has been in the family since new so I know it came from the factory timed the way I put it back together.

Still, it makes me nervous to be in disagreement with Clark71, a 40 year Benz technician.......................

J. M. van Swaay

__________________
1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

Thanks for the input, i do believe that you are correct on this...I will be expremienting . i will put the TDC mark in the center of the hole and align the dowels correctly. i will see then if it works. i don't think the difference is that great to cause any piston-valve collision at least while i am trying. I think with this kind of pointer, the only thing that makes sense is to center it in the hole....

lets see if anyone else has input on this....

Did you see this write up with some good pictures?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=147315&highlight=chain

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

yes, i have done extensive research on this. i am very familiar with that thread specifically as i have it in my browser's favorites...

thanks

You are lucky enough to live in Gainesville, Florida.

Steve Brotherton owns a shop there:

Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/member.php?u=1219

Why don't you stop by and see if you can answer your question?

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I second that idea! I consider Steve to be the final authority on this kind of matter. He really knows his stuff!

__________________
Richard Wooldridge
'01 ML320
'82 300D 4.3L V6/T700R4 conversion
'82 380SL, '86 560SL engine/trans. installed
'79 450SL, digital servo update
'75 280C

2X checking in WIS for the 2.8 M104 and it wants you to use the pointer for TDC over the 0 degree mark.

Jonathan

__________________
Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
http://www.blueridgemb.com/
Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
Follow Us on Facebook!
Located in the Atlanta area
Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
Mercedes Repair Atlanta

I have just set my 92 300ce 104.980 24 valve engine at TDC to remove the cylinder head.

I am 100% certain that my engine is at TDC, and that my chain has not stretched beyond spec.

As of right now, my crankshaft shows the pointer (to the left of the hole) exactly on the mark between the 0IT (TDC mark). The hole is for mounting the crankshaft position sensor not reading the position of the crankshaft (because you need to be able to read the crankshaft position without removing the sensor.

Either way, my dowels (allen wrenches/drill bits) are 100% level across the top of the head on both sides. Everything is perfect.

Also, the 2-times-around rotation to check your timing should be done after installation of the tensioner. Otherwise there is too much play to get an accurate reading.

If your timing is off, you will have to remove, reload, and resinstall the tensioner.

Good Luck!

Thanks guys....

notice that the car was originally like this before i took apart.....something does not add up here.

logically, slack or no slack should not make a difference with a hand rotation. it is the count of chain pins (pieces) between the different sprockets that should count, or am i wrong on this?

If i use the pointer (which is not easy to use since it is not really a pointer), the timing is off after two rotations, and significantly....

dhaghighi, can you post a picture of your TDC mark on the crank please !

thanks

Jonathon,

thanks for the help. can you explain what WIS is? i assume it is mercedes shop manual...how accurate is it in these situations..?

Jonathan, does the WIS show the same pointer picture as the one shown at this link:

http://www.ps2cho.net/downloads/MB%20CD/W124/w124CD1/Program/Engine/104/05-2230.pdf


J. M. van Swaay

__________________
1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

WIS is the Workstation Information System..getting mine courtesy of mercedes @ startekinfo.com (handy esp. for the updates/info on the new bits)..

JM, yes, same picture

Jonathan

__________________
Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
http://www.blueridgemb.com/
Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
Follow Us on Facebook!
Located in the Atlanta area
Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
Mercedes Repair Atlanta

Jonathan, I assume you have experience with the different style indicator tab? Look closely at Latiefs picture earlier in this thread. The orientation of the hole is different than that shown on the WIS.

Maybe both of my 104's are miss timed?????????????????

J. M. van Swaay

__________________
1994 E320 Wagon, 230,000 miles
1995 E320 Sedan, 106,000 miles
1994 E500 Sedan, 79,000 miles

Well, I looked it up in WIS off his chassis/engine ID, the last few I've done have all been early/pre facelift cars...each time I've worked off the pointer w/ Good results..

Jonathan

__________________
Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
http://www.blueridgemb.com/
Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
Follow Us on Facebook!
Located in the Atlanta area
Specializing in all pre and post merger AMG's including Hammers and DOHC M117 engines.
Mercedes Repair Atlanta

can someone post a picture of the TDC marker/pointer off a car similar to the one in the manual?

when you look at the manual, you notice there is a bolt location behind the indicator. in mine, the actual bolt as seen in the picture is to the right which confirms to me that the locations of the two pointers are not the same. that is of course assuming the manual graphics are actually accurate...

and lets assume the TDC location using the pointer is correct in this case, that leaves me with the same dilemma.....