C230 Sport Coup

Ed...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w203...ml#post5352698
Just clocked over 190K of M111 engine issue free miles even with mods.

I don't make the gloom....Mercedes made the gloom.
2012 and they still sell this engine with a single row chain.
Sadness.

LILBENZ230

I think this is the only video.. I also think someone pointed out that this is pretty bad and most aren't this noticeable.

04mbc230

Wait.. I thought that is how it suppose to sound. Like a Gas diesel car. That does goes away once it's warmed up.

So is that an indication of a bad chain waiting to jump a tooth or two? Glyn, please give your input.

Also, this does not affect the v6 engines? 06 and 07 in particular, right? 06 and 07 V6 engine has double chain?

Please excuse me for my limited knowledge.

LILBENZ230

My car is now making this noise. See my "Wrapping Up Year 4" thread. Mine does not sound like his at idle, but at start mine does sound the same.

You are correct about the timing chain in the V6s. The M112, M111 four, and M272 all have dual gang chains and this should never be an issue.

I will not run my car again until the chain and tensioner are replaced and urge anyone who has a similar noise do the same.

LILBENZ230

Does the chain actually stretch or are all these issues actually caused by failures of the tensioner? The Acura TSX has had similar problems and the owners are under the impression the chain doesn't stretch (also single row) but the tensioner fails.

ND4ZPD

OMG, that video that was posted is exactly what my engine sounded like when it was first started up, but it almost immediately went away once the oil pressure stabilized. Obviously, I knew something wasn't right, but it hadn't been doing this for very long, and the chain broke before I had a chance to take it to the shop to have it looked at. My advice to anyone who hears this dreaded sound, turn off the engine and leave the car sitting until you can have it towed to your shop of choice. Don't end up like me and have it break before you can get it looked at.

That being said, I got a quote from a local independent shop which specializes in German cars. He said he will do the entire job for $3500 out the door. This would include the new valves, timing chain, fixing my oil leak (it's a very slow leak), and clean all of the gunked up **** out of the engine, cleaning it as close to new as possible.

$3500 out the door for all this...how does that sound? Is it reasonable for a job this involved, or does it sound a little steep? A friend at work said he thinks it sounds a bit steep by maybe $1000 or so. So how does it sound guys? Ripoff or good deal for basically rebuilding everything that got damaged and cleaning her up inside? BTW, before anyone starts patronizing me for the gunked engine, I bought the car with 57K miles on the clock and religiously changed the oil with Mobil 1 synthetic every 5K miles, so the prior f*cknut owner is to blame. Whoever it was must have never changed the oil even once to get it this gunked up.

Advice on the estimate?

Thanks guys, I'm trying to restore the faith here.
Brent

Glyn M Ruck

Does not effect V6 engines generally other than possibly at extreme mileage. But - If your car has the M272 & is in the 06/07 years it can be a sign of balance shaft chain sprocket wheel failure. See TSB in the Wiki explaining all here.

https://mbworld.org/wiki/index.php/F...e_bulletin.pdf

On a 4 cylinder M271 that is a sign of trouble on the way.

LILBENZ230

I am glad we're getting the word out.. the cars do give you a warning. Hopefully this stops people in the future from the same fate.

C230 Sport Coup

Funny but the M111 sounds like that when cold all the time, due to a valve that pushes hot air to the Cat or something, takes a minute to open.

Glyn M Ruck

The M111 can suffer severe chain & cam adjuster rattle & it can be a pain to get silent. Difference is it does not jump teeth.

jetta02awp

Thank you for clarifying this. I freaked out yesterday morning and this morning (after reading this thread) when I first started the car after being parked all night and I heard this sound. I know I should have nothing to worry about considering I only have 67k on my m111

e24kgold

Just turned 180,000. Didn't even know replacing the chain was in the forecast. Estimated chain replacement cost???

Diaxis

yeah its kind of freaking me out a little im suppose to buy a 05 C230 kompressor manual and i'm kind of scared now...dont want to have to pay for a timing chain right after my buy..

LILBENZ230

Nice to see you check in with your miles. The timing chain is NOT supposed to ever need replacing (that's the idea of a chain vs belt) but unfortunately on the M271 Mercedes uses a single rather than duplex chain. It looks like a bicycle chain. Apparently it either stretches or the tensioner gives out or both and it can jump teeth. When it does the repair is expensive.

I am having my chain, tensioner, and valve cover gaskets done this week because my car (at 142k) now makes the chain rattle noise at start up. It is estimated to cost between $260-325 depending on which of my indy mechanics is first available. I'm willing to pay either amount because the car has been out of service for a week.

Listen to the video in this thread and the one I posted. Then carefully listen to your car. The noise for the second after start is bad news.

Diaxis

IF i have and extended warranty with a 3rd party, should this be covered?

LILBENZ230

Since it can do extensive damage to the top end of the engine, yes it should be covered. The timing chain is not officially a maintenance item so they'll not be able to accuse you of failure to maintain the vehicle.

Diaxis

I wasn't sure of doing an inspection before the sale because the seller is my friend, now there is no way i don't inspect it.

C230 Sport Coup

05 is the best year, facelift....271 aint bad if you replace the chain.
05 has updated head design FTW !
It'll be worth it to replace the chain for long life.
If I was looking, I'd go with 05 and replace the chain.
30 mpg all day long...sweetness. As much as I love the M111 grunt,
I'd sure like better mileage. Manual is the only way to go with 271.
Damn auto on that engine changes gear constantly since no low end torque.
Manny puts 20 more HP to the road. Don't be afraid to rev it, keeps the carbon out.

Is it a coupe or sedan?

LILBENZ230

The auto with the M271 doesn't change constantly. No low end torque? It has 192ft-lbs @ 3500rpm. That's not too bad.

The 7G with the 230 V6 is the real offender when it comes to constant changing.

Diaxis

its a coupe

e24kgold

Mine is not making that noise thankfully. When you talk about tensioner, is there an internal tensioner? Not the pulley right?

Glyn M Ruck

Hydraulically operated internal tensioner.

e24kgold

I was just quoted $829 by my indy for the chain, tensioner, guide rails, and valve cover gasket. The dealership wanted $1378 for the same. How does the indy price sound to you?

LILBENZ230

Sounds high to me, but mine hasn't been done yet either so I don't know what I'll ultimately be looking at. I can tell you that I got the chain for $52, the tensioner for $77, and the gaskets for $20 something. You might could ask your indy how much of that was parts vs labor. He may not can get them that cheaply. Of course, some indy mechanics won't allow you to bring your own parts so I dunno. Glyn told me that if the chain is not making too much noise and you catch it early there is no reason to replace the guides.

I'd pay the $829, though, before risking it. How much more service do you anticipate out of the car?

e24kgold

Breaks down like this,
Chain $152.10, Tensioner, $92, Rails $46.50, Gasket $16.50
Total parts= $307.10
Labor- $487.75

I plan on keeping the car for a long time, its paid off, gets great gas mileage, and still looks new in and out. Its a no brainer to change the chain. Since they are in there Ill just have them do the rails also, since its only $46