Is there a way to check timing chain with tearing engine apart?
#101
MBWorld Fanatic!
It's worth noting that forums concentrate problems and that there are lots of M271s on this forum that have never had a timing chain issue.
That said, I'm with you. If mine suddenly needed a new engine, I'd scrap it.. not spending $3000-5000 on a $8000 car, period. So I'll spend a few hundred and have the chain and tensioner replaced as soon as I figure out what the hell else is going on with mine now.
That said, I'm with you. If mine suddenly needed a new engine, I'd scrap it.. not spending $3000-5000 on a $8000 car, period. So I'll spend a few hundred and have the chain and tensioner replaced as soon as I figure out what the hell else is going on with mine now.
#103
Super Moderator
Matt - You could be a very good calibrator for us. Your car has no rattle. It's driven fairly hard but well maintained. Could you measure the stretch in your used chain for us vs new?
I would like to try & calibrate stretch vs. mileage. I'm hearing of more & more chains jumping in SA as mileage rises.
I would like to try & calibrate stretch vs. mileage. I'm hearing of more & more chains jumping in SA as mileage rises.
#105
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2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
I need help finding a part.
It's the little plug that goes in the front of the timing cover. It sits where the thick red line is going through.
There are two of them, and they have to be removed, so that you can unscrew the chain guide pins.
I need to replaces the old ones since they got ruined during removal.
Any ideas? I can't find them on any diagrams anywhere.
It's the little plug that goes in the front of the timing cover. It sits where the thick red line is going through.
There are two of them, and they have to be removed, so that you can unscrew the chain guide pins.
I need to replaces the old ones since they got ruined during removal.
Any ideas? I can't find them on any diagrams anywhere.
#108
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2006 C230 Sedan
Just wondering, since the timing chain is going to be replace and with the sprockets exposed. Would it be a good time to check the Balance shaft sprocket as well or any sprocket of concern as well?
Would this topic be part of the sprocket issue with these cars? I digged up some info about this and found that lots of cars up to 2007 has sprocket issues or possible affect engine.
What would be the best way to check this or would changing out the timing chain would be the best time to check? On a regular basis without opening the covers to the timing chain, what other indication would you get as a hint there is a BS Sprocket issue?
This is what I found on this tread that might be a good read since you are at it.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...l?ref=esp-link
Would this topic be part of the sprocket issue with these cars? I digged up some info about this and found that lots of cars up to 2007 has sprocket issues or possible affect engine.
What would be the best way to check this or would changing out the timing chain would be the best time to check? On a regular basis without opening the covers to the timing chain, what other indication would you get as a hint there is a BS Sprocket issue?
This is what I found on this tread that might be a good read since you are at it.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...l?ref=esp-link
#110
Super Moderator
Just wondering, since the timing chain is going to be replace and with the sprockets exposed. Would it be a good time to check the Balance shaft sprocket as well or any sprocket of concern as well?
Would this topic be part of the sprocket issue with these cars? I digged up some info about this and found that lots of cars up to 2007 has sprocket issues or possible affect engine.
What would be the best way to check this or would changing out the timing chain would be the best time to check? On a regular basis without opening the covers to the timing chain, what other indication would you get as a hint there is a BS Sprocket issue?
This is what I found on this tread that might be a good read since you are at it.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...l?ref=esp-link
Would this topic be part of the sprocket issue with these cars? I digged up some info about this and found that lots of cars up to 2007 has sprocket issues or possible affect engine.
What would be the best way to check this or would changing out the timing chain would be the best time to check? On a regular basis without opening the covers to the timing chain, what other indication would you get as a hint there is a BS Sprocket issue?
This is what I found on this tread that might be a good read since you are at it.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...l?ref=esp-link
#111
MBWorld Fanatic!
Also, there would be no reason to change the dual-gang timing chain on the M272.. So you shouldn't have it open to check the balance shaft sprocket. You can check the VIN.
#112
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2006 C230 Sedan
#113
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EPC allows you look up your datacard by VIN, and see what your engine # is.
EPC is free to US people, though they ask for a credit card, they do not charge anything.
http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/
The DTB is around here somewhere. STFF
#115
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2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
wonder how many of the M271 engines that have this issue have been 'tuned' ie eurotuned or engine alter in some way, or is just a very bad design flaw?
#116
Super Moderator
A single gang chain will always be prone to stretching. I think it is very service orientated. Cars serviced to the book seem to give less chain trouble. I think Benz should just have made it a 100K mile service item.
#117
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2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
So Glyn, you are saying that that one should automatically replace (just like a rubber timing belt) when the car hits aprox 100,000mi or 161,000km as a regular mandatory service item?
#118
MBWorld Fanatic!
http://youtu.be/f_-1HF1nt5A
This is the timing chain rattle, I believe. Glyn can you confirm?
I got a labor quote today of $260 all in to replace the timing chain on my M271, he made no mention of special tools being necessary. I have 132,700 miles - I'll record my car's first start tomorrow morning for comparison.
This is the timing chain rattle, I believe. Glyn can you confirm?
I got a labor quote today of $260 all in to replace the timing chain on my M271, he made no mention of special tools being necessary. I have 132,700 miles - I'll record my car's first start tomorrow morning for comparison.
#119
MBWorld Fanatic!
$260! I've never done it or seen it done beyond Hogger's posts and pictures, but that sounds insanely inexpensive! I just read how Hogger says it's not that difficult. Maybe I'm getting old (ok, I am old ), but I still do some wrench turning but at $260, that doesn't seem worth it to do it yourself.
#120
MBWorld Fanatic!
I should note that this is not my primary indy, either, but my secondary. My primary deals very heavily into suspension/brakes and routine maintenance. My secondary is an engine guy and I felt this job was best suited to the engine guy. The chain is $52 and the tensioner is $77 and labor will be $260. It's worth having it done as a pre-emptive strike if I'm keeping the car for another couple of years.
Hogger - what is needed other than the chain and tensioner? I know you've replaced other things but were they necessary?
Hogger - what is needed other than the chain and tensioner? I know you've replaced other things but were they necessary?
#122
Super Moderator
Matt. If your chain is not noisy I would just pull through a new chain & fit a new tensioner per the WIS method I posted earlier in this thread. The plasticware only starts taking strain when the chain starts slapping around.
We have only gone further on Hoggers car because of the head & chaincase removal on a basis of while you are in there you may as well get everything back to new.
We have only gone further on Hoggers car because of the head & chaincase removal on a basis of while you are in there you may as well get everything back to new.
#123
Super Moderator
http://youtu.be/f_-1HF1nt5A
This is the timing chain rattle, I believe. Glyn can you confirm?
I got a labor quote today of $260 all in to replace the timing chain on my M271, he made no mention of special tools being necessary. I have 132,700 miles - I'll record my car's first start tomorrow morning for comparison.
This is the timing chain rattle, I believe. Glyn can you confirm?
I got a labor quote today of $260 all in to replace the timing chain on my M271, he made no mention of special tools being necessary. I have 132,700 miles - I'll record my car's first start tomorrow morning for comparison.
You need a cam holding tool & a chain breaker. The cam holding tool for a once off can be made up of pieces of stiff wire bent to go into the adjuster holes.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 03-29-2012 at 10:01 AM.
#124
Super Moderator
Yes - that's what I would do if I owned a M271. Just pull a new top chain & replace the tensioner. Otherwise you need to listen very carefully for noise & can be given very little warning.
#125
Super Moderator
http://youtu.be/4o6lS-x1P30
This is my car's cold start this morning. You can hear the difference VS the one I posted above.
This is my car's cold start this morning. You can hear the difference VS the one I posted above.