Timing Chain Tensioner
 

I have seen a number of discussions about tensioners and oe vs oem. Does anyone have any experience on using the FEBI tensioner. They are an OE manufacturer and I have used their OE parts before with great success. I have a 560SEL that has a new one on it and am looking to see if I should replace it with a new one from MB thanks for any input.
Still looking for some advice.

Second question
 

I am curious if this is true or not I believe the newer MB tensioners do not use oil pressure any more but ar spring loaded is this correct or am I miss informed.
thanks
Martin

Hi

Just had my t chain, rails, and tensioner replaced. Febe and several others good replacements. But the shop owner at the MB here in town that works on nothing but MB (independent) not dealer, told me when it comes to the tensioner he uses nothing but factory MB tensioners. I guess he had some problems or failures in the past at this part only which is bad for business.

So he only uses MB tensioner and advises their use only. So thats what I got and I did lots of research and found the OE replacement on chains and tensiorer rails to be fine. Bottom line is, use any of the fine OE replacement parts for the timing chain, timing chain rails but use only original MB tensioner as this part you don't want to fail.

Keith D

Need more facts to support your conclusion.
 

Keithed - please don't take this personally, but your response lacks analytical rigor and, unless you have more data to show, is not a basis for your conclusion.

First, it would be interesting to determine who makes the OE tensioner - which was the thrust of the original question. Why do you say that only the MB part should be used? How do you know whether MB even makes this part? Your data on this would make interesting reading.

Second, what is the logic for the mechanic's statement that only original factory tensioners should be used? Does he have dozens of data points that show higher failure rates with specific manufacturers' products? Is he conflicted because he can command a larger mark-up on the purportedly OE part?

Maybe you have more data you can share supporting your response? I would be interesting in learning more of your "...lots of research..." as I am about to replace the tensioner on my 1990 560SEL.

We use febi and swag, both have done just fine. However, we avoid the aftermarket chain guides, had a few shatter at a young age. MB only on the chain guides here. (not the tensioner rail)


Joe

Joe P - that's helpful, thanks. Who manufactures the guides? I'm changing those also.

Thomaspin

I'm only passing on what the owner who works on only MB's said and changes many of them I'm sure.

You can use any OE replacement part you want be it Febi etc. Its your engine not mine. If it last 100,000 miles or more fine, if it doesn't so be it.

I was only telling you what a MB shop passed on to me in conversation. I do know he had some problems with the tensioners other than original equipment. To what extent I don't know.

K

thanks joep
 

Thanks for the input JoeP.
martin

I received the replacement parts from my (reputable) supplier last night - he assures me they are what the factory uses.

The tensioner is made by Febi (FErdinand BIlstein) and the guide rails are made by SWAG (embossed on the inside). Both also had original MB parts numbers on the wrapping.

We'll see what the originals are when I remove them, which will substitute fact for conjecture.

Experts may wish to jump in here, but am I not correct in saying that MB actually makes relatively few of the parts in their cars? Bilstein shocks, Bosch electronics, bulbs, wiper blades and fuel injectors, various brakes (ATE, Bendix, Girling), water pumps (Lemforder, others), power steering pumps (Siemens, others), alternators, diesel turbochargers (Garrett), glass (Sekurit, PPG, Sigla). Air bags come from the guys who made the defective O rings on the Space Shuttle (at least mine does). I suspect the pistons are sub-contracted and I wonder whether all the rubber parts are too. That leaves them 'making' the design (or do they farm that out like in Formula 1?), the body (the paint is from Sikkens? PPG?), the engine casting and the transmission? Oh! and let's not forget the 'herd of Schwabian cows' that make the leather (quoted from my 1990 560SEL sales literature!).

So, what does "factory MB" mean? I submit that, for most of the replaceable parts which this tech forum addresses, that means something made by any number of independent manufacturers.

BTW, while I still wear my Prince of Darkness T shirt, honoring the great Joe Lucas, I tend to keep quieter about it since I noticed that the brake booster on my wife's 2000 E320 wagon is made by none other than Joe himself......