190E 2.3-16V ENGINE NOISE
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35
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From: Philippines
1992 500E, 2000 E55, 1993 964 RSR, 1973 911 RSR Replica, 1959 Lotus Cortina Ogle
190E 2.3-16V ENGINE NOISE
I checked out a 2.3-16V for sale and the only thing that makes me hesitant to buy the car is the loud clatter noise on the front of the engine. The owner said he just changed the timing chain but did not change the tensioner. It does'nt sound like tappet noise. Any idea?
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham WA
1988 190E 2.3-16
De ja vue all over again
DON'T DO IT.
Just bought one from a fellow in your same position. He paid $5000 for a 190E 2.3-16 "Daily Driver." Problem is to make it a "Daily Driver" would have cost him another $5000
Likely hood is that the timing chain tensioner was mis handled. These are ratcheting tensioners. When mishandled they over tighten the chain and the chain literally grinds through the tensioning rail. iF THE OIL IS SILVERY OFFER HIM $200 TO $500 OR WALK.
Follow my video bloge on what happened to this one. I have the engine out and am about ready to remove the cyl head and front cover to reveal the damage.
http://www.masterautotechllc.com/blog/
Just bought one from a fellow in your same position. He paid $5000 for a 190E 2.3-16 "Daily Driver." Problem is to make it a "Daily Driver" would have cost him another $5000
Likely hood is that the timing chain tensioner was mis handled. These are ratcheting tensioners. When mishandled they over tighten the chain and the chain literally grinds through the tensioning rail. iF THE OIL IS SILVERY OFFER HIM $200 TO $500 OR WALK.
Follow my video bloge on what happened to this one. I have the engine out and am about ready to remove the cyl head and front cover to reveal the damage.
http://www.masterautotechllc.com/blog/
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham WA
1988 190E 2.3-16
Tensioner
As long as the tensioner is re-loaded properly there will be no problem if it isn't worn out. The problem comes when the entire tensioner is removed without unloading the spring or the chain is taken lose before removing the tensioner. The tensioner ratchets to the end and when it is re-installed the chain is too tight so as in the case of the car I am working on the chain rail wears out and destroys the engine.
I'll try to get the pictures up loaded this week as I have the cyl head off and can clearly see the worn tensioner rail.
I'll try to get the pictures up loaded this week as I have the cyl head off and can clearly see the worn tensioner rail.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 13
From: MA
Mosselman 190E 16V+ C63S+ Abarth 595
I could save you a lot of time and trouble by selling you 90K 16V motor I have. I bought it to have a spare engine around as I was planning to push upwards of 18psi on the engine in the car, but have decided to part with it to use the money to buy aftermarket rods among other things and winters basically here and the car is garaged till the street sweepers come around in the spring so plenty of time to do the engine work.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham WA
1988 190E 2.3-16
Trouble
"Man born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble." Thanks for the thought but trouble is not the trouble. Money is the trouble. Besides that blogging an engine swap would be less interesting.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
190e 16v euro / 98 gti vr6 turbo /86 944 turbo
plz help..
