I wish it was that easy. I have to replace the guides too. Also thought I could do this without removing the cams? Then I will have to purchase all new bolts for them too?

look here-

05 Engine, Camshaft and Valve Train - M119

good luck, chuck.

Ive done about 10 of those engines , the easiest way is remove the cams, otherwise you risk timing jumping when rolling the chain in , as the factory manual shows with the wedges you need probably 3 people , 1 to crank the engine ,1 to hold the wedges , 1 to hold the new chain and old chain, I don't
believe you need to change the bolts of cam brackets,

Working on this job right now, I still looking exactly where to start. So I removed the stuff out of the way on the front of the engine. Now I think I need to unbolt the air pump and the power steering pump or maybe just the reservoir? so that I can take the front covers off the heads? Then I can break the chain and start unbolting the cams?

Yes unbolt the airpump, remove power steering pump, you will have to use a long extension and a 13mm universal to get to the power steering pump bolts, you will need to remove drivers side down pipe, so that you can get the extension in a position to remove two bolts, 1 is easy to see the other you must feel and guide the 13mm socket to the bolt, its the only way

Need some help. I had 2 mechanics tell me not to replace the chain, just replace the top guides and the tensioner. So I have 3 of the 4 cams removed and I can replace the right guide, but I cant get the left top guide out. Is there any trick to doing this?

also I cant understand why mercedes chose to use cheap plastic parts on the inside of the motor. The oil drain thing that goes into the head the tip broke off and fell into the hole and now it lives with the valve springs, there is no $%^%$#@^%$@#^%$^$@ way that I can get it out. Should I just scrap the car now?

Do you mean part number 7 in 01 -0400 ventilation section of engine ?

I dont know what that means, but I am talking about the oil separator in the right side head

yeah that's the one , if you cant pick it up , don't worry it will eventually disintegrate, just get a new one when you put it back together, the oil pump has a screen , and the piece will just lay up there , move on!

I know that this isn't a well liked job by most technicians, but I don't know why in the world a tech would tell you not to bother changing the chain. Number one, the long chains on the 119 translate into a lot of stretch. Number two, rolling the chain in is the easiest part of the whole job.

yeah i cant see it, fell down by the valve spring hopefully it goes out the exhaust pipe lol

Paul he told me to check the stretch but he said it should be fine. Anyone have any advice on the top left guide without getting that cam out? That is holding me up right now as my power steering pump has 4 of those reverse torq bolts on the back and I can't get them loose

back again. I removed the front exhaust elbow and I still cant get these damn bolts loose. I see 4 bolts on the back and they are all reverse torq style. I have a 10mm socket on there and cant get it to loosen or it just strips off. Are you accessing these bolts from the top of the car or underneath?