Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-19-2000, 05:53 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 58
I'm new to Benz ownership, buy my 1987 560 SL isn't new...about 101,000 miles. Have heard scuttlebutt that this is the time to have the timing chain checked. The car has just recently begun to run a little rough...and I haven't yet gone over the ignition system.

Please give me the straight scoop on the "Timing Chain at 100,000 Miles" ledgend.

...and confidential to Benzmac...was in Atlanta last week...should've stopped by and bought you a cup (or bottle) for all you do for the folks here in this forum!


Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-19-2000, 06:20 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: kapolei,hawaii usa
Posts: 9
at 101k miles either your a lucky man or most likely the chain has been already replaced earlier.the chains and 4 upper rails are in need of replacement usually at 6ok,like clockwork.Recommend removal of both valve covers for inspection.what happens is the chain stretches and then slaps the chain rails.this can happen at start-up and while driving.rather be safe than sorry,have it checked.rec replace chain tensioner too

[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 03-20-2000).]
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-19-2000, 06:42 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Gainesville FL
Posts: 6,844
I have overseen the repair of at least 200 single cam MB V8 chain failures (3.5/4.5, 3.8/5.0, 4.2/5.6).

Here is the story; The number one cause of failure (9 to 1 atleast)is the fracture of petrified chain rails. The rails in the upper head do not normally touch the chain. When they are new they are opaque white plastic. They are indestructable. After 70-100k they turn brown and become as brittle as glass.

Now comes the sweet part; even with various tentioners and modifications MB could never 100% not loose the oil pressure in the tentioner. They just rattle every once in a while. Its a shame they never put a ratcheting tentioner in, but I'm sure they had their reasons. This rattle (you can't prevent it) breaks the old rails like glass and the pieces run through the meat grinder bending all the valves in the left head. Just like clockwork.

My recommendation is new rails every 60-80k. It is only about a three hour job and the rails are less than $5 a piece. Do a chain if you want but it won't fail on its own. After 150k you will have about 10deg retard in the passenger side cam due to stretch but we used to use offset keys to tune that out. This is factory method they couldn't have been too worried, originally. Thus my total recommendation is a chain before 200k and as many rails as necessary to keep them fresh.

Now for the second life. The bottom right side rail rides on the chain and will wear through at around 300k; so if you are in the neiborhood with head work or chain repair take that into consideration. This rail requires removal of the front timing cover about an extra 12-15 hours work with a head job. About 20 hours or more on engine with the heads on. We charge 40 hours to do heads and front timing cover on 107 SLs where the subframe and oil pan must be removed.

------------------
Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-19-2000, 06:51 PM
arosen@troweprice.com
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I just bought a 1991 300D with 160K on the clock. Before I begin to have nightmares about the timing chain, what is the scoop with the timing chain on my little diesel?
Again, THANKS for all of the time everyne has put in here answering my questions.
ARI
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-19-2000, 07:06 PM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Tucker, Ga USA
Posts: 12,153
Diesel chains are stronger than the gas models, but 160K miles is long enough. Don't put off replacement.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-19-2000, 07:57 PM
arosen@troweprice.com
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I ahve all the records for the car, but I do not see anything with regards to inspecting/replacing a timing chain. Do you know what MB recomends to inspect/service the chain? Do you knwo what it should cost (roughly) to replace this?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-19-2000, 08:55 PM
Robert W. Roe's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Lehigh Valley PA
Posts: 1,330
I had my mechanic check my timing chain stretch. He measured it at 3 degrees and said 5 degrees is replacement time. With 169K miles on my M617 diesel, how much time do I have left?

------------------
Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 169K mi
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-19-2000, 09:02 PM
arosen@troweprice.com
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
When I take my car to the mechanic on Wednesday, is this measurement procedure something that can be done why I wait?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-19-2000, 09:20 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 14
This is an interesting topic. I have a '90 300SL with 190 K. I recently brought it to a MB dealer and enquired as to whether the timing chain needs to be inspected and was advised that it there was no need for this service.

Given all of the problems and advice that I've read in this forum, why is MB so stubborn about insisting that that timing chains service is unnecessary?

Also, I need to repair my AC. Does anyone know of a reputable independant MB tech. in the Toronto, Canada area? I would appreciate any recommendation because I am not entirely convinced that I am getting value for the service provided by the dealer. Lastly, does anyone have any experience with non-OEM AC parts or rebuilts for an AC, if such parts exist?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-19-2000, 09:33 PM
arosen@troweprice.com
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I know that there are several reputable MB techicians that monitor this site, let's see what they have to say. So far they have been right on all of my other questions.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-19-2000, 10:55 PM
Aaron's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 1,937

I don't know if any of you saw one of my more recent posts, but I just had to do a new chain and all upper rails on my '85 380SE. I had been experiencing a rough idle for some time. I replaced everything in the fuel injection circuit and still no avail. Finally, when I had the day off from the shop, I decided to pull the valve covers because I was suspecting the left cam of not being timed properly. Sure enough, the left inner rail was broken into pieces! I was sooo lucky that it didn't destroy my engine, but I caught it right in time. Car has 110K miles on it and as I am writing this, I am on vacation in Atlanta, GA and drove the 380 here and it ran beautifully all the way at am average 85-90mph loaded down with luggage and four people. In the meantime, my 420SEL is still sitting in the stable at home awaiting major top end work, because the same thing happened to that car but unfortunately I wasn't so lucky. That car has 102K on it. Will be pulling the heads as soon as the weather breaks.


------------------
Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
Precision Motorcars, Cincinnati, Ohio
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'80 300SD
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8
'74 Jensen Interceptor Mk.III
'81 DeLorean DMC12
'85 BMW 745i Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-19-2000, 11:03 PM
elau's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MD.
Posts: 1,725
I have a 95 SL320 with 64K miles, do I need to take it in and have my timing chain looked at? Someone told me the newer SL has two rows of chain and there is no requirement to change them ever. Can someone clarify this for me?

95 R129
98 ML320
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-20-2000, 06:40 AM
arosen@troweprice.com
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I think we need a great deal of clarification on what cars have what and when.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-20-2000, 07:47 AM
LarryBible
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
tahodgson,

If you do get a chance to get Benzmac a cup or bottle, send me the bill.

Larry
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-20-2000, 09:01 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 58
Well, I'm now almost afraid to drive it to the shop...but I'm certainly going to take it in. One good thing...I haven't noticed any strange noises upon start-up...but also admit that I haven't had the car long enough to learn it's "normal" sounds. (bought in November and almost immediately stored it until a couple of weeks ago).

Thanks, everyone, for your great advise and counsel (again).



------------------
Tom

'87 560 SL

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Just how often should a timing chain be replaced? Greg in Oz Tech Help 16 07-25-2005 05:02 PM
Info on how to replace timing chain tensioner & upper chain guide bodyart27 Diesel Discussion 11 10-15-2003 04:53 PM
OM603 timing chain installation report gsxr Diesel Discussion 3 08-15-2003 11:00 AM
W126 Timing chain help BenzMatic Tech Help 5 08-03-2003 05:14 AM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page