KevsMB

Im about to purchase a pristine 190e 2.6 I wondering what the on average repair cost are to replace the timing chain? How many labor hours does it take? I have a Porsche 944 and they tend to run around $2000.

Thanks

Kevin

E=MC^2

i traded my 944 for my 86 190e 2.3 16 valve haha i cant tell you how much a commercial shop would charge you but it wont be cheap. then again on the porsche a thermostat was an hour of two job

MTI

The "book rate" is something over 7 hours. Any work to the front of a 2.6L 190E's engine costs more because of the added time of draining and removing the radiator and front supports.

When doing the timing chain, the plastic guides should be replaced and the water pump and oil pump considered for replacement as well, since you'll be "in the neighborhood."

Before spending all that dough, what makes you want to change the chain? The 2.6L has a dual row chain that is pretty long lasting. So long as the tensioner is doing its job, chain breakage or stretch isn't really a common event.

E=MC^2

im not trying to get of topic but MTI my 2.3 16 sort of has weird ticks in the engine almost like the timings off should i just check the clearance and adjust everything?

MTI

If the sound is consistent even after the oil pressure has reached 3 bar, then it's likely that you need to check the valve bucket shims and probably have the worn shims replaced.

If the sound is a rattle at start up that goes away with the build in pressure, that's likely a chain rattle and an old style tensioner.

KevsMB

Thanks guys. The reason I was I asked ...The car I bought today has 170,000 miles. I read that the timing chain should be changed every 100,000, I called a few shops and they quoted me $600 to $1,000.

I didnt know the 2.6 had a dual / double chain.

Wolfe190

Good idea bringing it to a shop to have this work done. I tried doing it myself, and to make a very long story short, I ended up paying over $5000 and had the whole engine rebuilt...

MTI maybe I am crazy to question you.... but my 3.0L has a single row chain. Virtually the same engine, different timing chain???

MTI

I have to admit to a "Brain Fart" on the chain . . . the M103 and some of the M104 engines are single row chains. Mercedes went to double row (duplex) chains in the late 80's on the M102 four cylinder. To their credit, the M103 and M104 motors should have the spring loaded tensioners, rather than the oil pressure actuated ones, which increased the life of the chains.

That being said, it's a good idea to have the tensioner inspected and when the valve cover is off, to inspect for any wear on the camshaft mounted timing gear. Excessive wear would be a sign of chain stretch and could lead to skipping a tooth or two.

Sorry for the mixup.

E=MC^2

MTI will worn shims or a chain rattle ruin anything right away i know if the chain snaps im in trouble but the shims? can i go next summer without worrying about it?

MTI

A stretched chain or chain that isn't being tensioned by a working tensioner can/will damage the plastic chain guides and the cam gear sprokets. The plastic chain guides can fracture, break off and then block the oil journal, which will starve the engine from oil.

The cam gear sprocket teeth can get rounded and there's the potential that the loose chain will slip positions on the gear and put the engine valvetrain "out of time"

Improper valve clearances due to worn shims can also affect compression and exhaust, put the engine "out of time" and result in lost hp or could lead to high valve and piston temps.