Timing chain inspection/replacement
 

I have a 1989 560SEC, 200K miles, not sure if the timing chain was ever replaced. Wondering if anyone here has ever done this, and how difficult it is. I'm pretty sure the dealer or any other shop would probably charge $2000, at least.

Probably need special tools also.

Thanks in advance!

Be more concerned with the guides versus chain elongation. You can do them without a pin puller, but the puller makes the job far, far easier. Worth the princely sum of $35. While the cam covers are off, replace the camshaft oilers and new gaskets. Be sure to buy new copper crush washers. This is an easy, new guy to MB V8 job to tackle.

Do you have a copy of the factory service manual on CD? It walks you through everything and then some.

There was/is a write up on rolling a chain in the M117 on here, if you search you will probably find it. Not knowing your mechanical background, we cannot tell you the difficultly level of the job. It is more of a nuisance for me to do chains than difficulty. Not something I would recommend to someone new to MB, nor to these engines.

No way a shop would charge $2000 to roll in a chain. It is a few hour job at the most, I could see four hours of labor being charged maybe, plus parts markup. Expect the camshafts to still be out of time even with a new chain, as the sprockets wear... meaning you will probably have to buy woodruff keys to get them at 0/0.

Search M117 timing chain. Look for the link by TOMGUY. It is illustrated and informative. Good Luck

Yes, I am a newbie, not familiar with MBZ, however, I have had my fair share of motor work on classic cars.
Wondering if I should try and do this my self, or pay a mechanic to do it?

If it were me I'd check the amount of chain stretch before doing anything else.....;)

I picked up the car Friday night, 1989 560SEC, 208K miles.

I have maintenance records from 1996; turns out the timing chain and valve job was done at about 165K miles. Yay!!!

The car has 20" Asanti rims, Pirelli tires; not sure if this is good for this car? Any performance issues with larger wheels? I talked to a guy with a 1990, he said most people don't go over 18" with the wheels.

It does run a little rough, has a bit of a "shudder" when accelerating. Doesn't feel quite as quick/responsive as a V8 should. I'm thinking maybe the suspension may need some work too. Don't get me wrong, this does drive real nice, it just needs some work and maybe a little TLC, After all, it is an '89.

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You realize 1996 is nearly 20 years ago right? You would be a wise person to pull the cam covers and install new guides. For a total cost of around $100 (using OE guides and buying the pin puller tool), you could motor on for years and years. Does the odometer still work?

Car looks clean, not sure about the stereo... but if you dig it, cool! On the wheels, if they are cheap cast aluminum (which is probable), the car will be slower due to increased rotational mass. Also harder on the hubs.



Shudder could be many things. I used to have a shudder and bog from a dead stop on my 560 until I resealed the intake plenum. Typical M116/7 issue due to age. Quite a bit of rubber in there that can fail.

If you have no receipts for the front end being rebuilt, plan on doing that sooner than later as you will never be able to align the car with a loose front end. Not to mention you will chew up tires.

The timing chain was done in 2006, not 1996. The maintenance records go back to 1996.

Yes, that is still 10 years, but at least it was done. Definitely agree, checking the chain tensioners would be a good idea.

Greatly appreciate the input! Hoping to learn more about these cars!

Congrats. Nice car. How many owners?

I believe there were three before me.

Ahh, misread! Sorry about that. :o