? for M.B. Doc.
 

On a well maintained 560, Mobil One all its life, how long would you go before replacing the timing chain ? the car has 69000 miles and is not making any noise. How about the oil rail clips?

Thanks,
John

100K is a good rule of thumb. Cheap preventative maintenance.

Just before leaving on vacation I stopped by my local Indie Franz, he just got a 420 in with 130K and a broken chain rail. He had been advising the owner to change the chain for the past 20K miles, owner didn't want to spend the $400-500 to do they job, and now looking at $2500-3000. The upper left chain rail broke, jumped time and took out all the rockers on the left head.

I had my timing chain checked at 117,000 miles. the previous owner had changed it (the car came with a single chain and it had a double in it) it was 5 degrees off so I had it changed. I am so glad I had it done all the sprockets, chain, and guide rails and I also had the oil clips changed my total bill was $975.00

when the opened it up and found the previous owner had done it himself and put the master link on backwards? (dont have a clue how or why)

benzat
1982 380 SEC

Have it checked out. Your mechanic can measure the stretch in the chain by cam retardation. In many cases it is the upper chain rails that break and fall into the works causing the chain to jump or come off the track, which causes major engine damage.

The link has no front or back. It is only put on one way or the other as a matter of convenience for the method of crimping the rivets.

If you use the MB crinping tool, you will want to inser the link from the back. This allows crimping from the front, otherewise there will not be room to place the tool.