Aluminum in oil? Tensioner rail...pic

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I bought my 380 (single-row) SEL over a year ago. I am the 3rd owner and it has 85,000 miles on it. I bought it from the brother of the original owner, garaged all its life. Books and records a touch incomplete.

Interior is mint except for the leather on the B pillar near the seat belt has torn a little. Exterior is original paint with 1 scratch on the bumper, tiny dent LF corner. Real nice car. Champagne w/Brazil Brown. Would prefer another color but the interior and price were right.

On first oil change I found aluminum in/on the oil filter and in the can. Called a Benz indy and he said go ahead and drive it since it was running great. No odd sounds. Parked it. Never started it again. Called Phil and he said to talk to Roy before proceding. Thanks Phil and Roy for the help.

Finally rolled her into the barn for a chain, guides, tensioner, hoses etc. I popped the valve covers and look what I found...




My timing chain has worn through the tensioner rail lining AND the tensioner rail itself. A piece about 1 inch long was found inside the head, lodged in what looks like an oil return galley. I meant to take a pic before removing the piece, but forgot to. Those marks in the metal fit perfectly over the chain.

Notice how the chain rides right through the lining.

Make your stomach turn? Kinda does mine.

Anyway, I will be tearing into it soon, will probably pull the timing case and oil pans to check for more debris. Looking forward to seeing how well the broken piece fits up with the rest of the rail.

Anyone ever seen this before?