I'm thinking of verifying my cam timing tomorrow, I've read the procedure to check and adjust the cam timing (I just want to check) but the procedure looks overly complicated.
Can I simply Rotate #1 to TDC on ignition and read crank mark? (VC off and looking at cam lobe..)

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RIP: 80 300SD
RIP: 79 450SEL
2002 E430 4matic (212,000km)
2002 ML500 'sport'

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Did the procedure you read come from the people that made your car ?
Do you think they were just jacking with you... trying to make it harder to service your own car ? Or that they described the way to correctly check it based on the design of the car ?

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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

Depends on which engine, it's not clear what car you have listed you are working on.
Yes there are marks on the cam indicating #1 at TDC, which match up with the crank TDC. BUT you have to realize on a 4 cycle engine the crank will show TDC twice for every once that the cam will be (crank rotates twice for every one revolution of the cam), so you can have the crank 360 degrees off when you check the cam. But in general you are correct. The best way is to get the cam mark at TDC exactly, then see how many degrees the crank is off, there is a spec for this, if it is out of spec the timing chain is either off one or more teeth (if it is WAY off), OR the timing chain is stretched (if it is off a smaller spec).

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