aubrey1

Interesting. Does MB think so too?

I have a 2003 MB C200K which has just done 142,000. 2 weeks ago my car engine just "blew up", no warning lights, nothing. Now my car was just serviced by MB end July, and the odometer reading was 137,000. MB says that the TIMING CHAIN broke, which stuffed up the valves, etc etc etc. The engine needs to be replaced. I am quoted R97,000! I am not a technical person. Here is my question:

a) If MB knew of these Timing chain problems (and I believe they do!), should I not have been advised at my last service to replace the chain?

b) If like in the quote above it should last for the LIFE of the engine, what is the expected life-span of a MB C200K, 142,000km?

PS. I have my full service history by MB dealer available. Car has been serviced religiously by MB.

I appreciate any advice. Thanx in advance.

bop11

It is rare to hear of a timing chain breaking. Rubber belts do it at about 80,000 miles but metal chains usually last well over 250,000. In the 60's and 70's the chains would stretch and maybe jump a tooth, but not break. That being said, MB only guarantees the unit for 50,000 miles? There is no way to know that a chain is about to break, unless it is physically inspected by tearing down the engine. This is not part of normal service. Sorry, that it happened to you but some material defects only show after miles of usage

aubrey1

Thanx for your reply Bopp11.

I have done quite a bit of reading, and searching, and just about every answer that I get is that the timing chain should be good for the life of the engine (if regularly serviced by MB, which it has). I am currently talking to MBSA, and am still waiting for a (hopefully) positive reply. Will post as soon as I hear from them, which was supposed to be today ..... ??

aubrey1

Ok, so MB came back to me today, and basically told me to get stuffed, the car is too old for them to even consider any relief......