Timing chain question
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 12
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From: SC, USA
C230 Kompressor
Timing chain question
Hi folks....I have a 2005 c230k 90k, miles. I was detecting a slight rattle from the front of the engine. Last night I parked the car with no issues....this morning the car wouldn't start. My initial thought was battery, but that is fine. I had the car towed to a local European specialist garage and he ruled out the fuel pump but tomorrow is going to take the valve cover off and take a look inside. he suspects the timing chain slipped. Yikes. My question....can the timing chain slip on start up? If so, could I have spared from too much damage to the engine? Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 264
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From: Lumberton, TX
2009 ML350, 2007 GL450, 1963 GMC, BMW 325i
That's how my ordeal started. I thought my starter drive was stuck since it wouldn't start. Nope, it was the bent valves and stretched timing chain.
There is a half way decent write up on here if you want to do it yourself, or you could have the shop do it. At least there might be a warranty to cover their work.
Let us know what they find.
There is a half way decent write up on here if you want to do it yourself, or you could have the shop do it. At least there might be a warranty to cover their work.
Let us know what they find.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: SC, USA
C230 Kompressor
Well, the timing chain definately jumped time. I think I got lucky in the fact the pistons & block are ok...bent valves though. Main culprit was the worn sprockets that caused the chain to jump. Only 90K miles & regularly serviced...jeez. I get my car back in about a week $4500 lighter...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: SC, USA
C230 Kompressor
ncmudbug - all I can say is I would think about getting it checked out, especially if you hear a rattle on start up. Mine was a very short, hardly noticeable rattle, that would go away in a couple of secs. I thought I was ok...wrong!
BF_JC230 - I know, pretty surprised to say the least. The sprockets are worn badly...I assumed the chain had stretched, but not so.
BF_JC230 - I know, pretty surprised to say the least. The sprockets are worn badly...I assumed the chain had stretched, but not so.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I'd go ahead and change it and all the guides for peace of mind. Also, would allow you to look around in there and see if you've suffered any sprocket wear. Would that not show up in oil analysis, though? At the point where my C230 was making a rattle on start, all oil analysis results - last from 126k - showed no issues.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
I only have 92K miles on it and it just offends me to even be thinking of doing this at this mileage, but that's probably the best course of action.
It sounds like the oil doesn't tell you anything. I guess the only thing to do is keep my ears open for that rattle.
Does anybody know how to tell if the sprockets are worn?
BTW - Good to hear from you again, Matt!
It sounds like the oil doesn't tell you anything. I guess the only thing to do is keep my ears open for that rattle.
Does anybody know how to tell if the sprockets are worn?
BTW - Good to hear from you again, Matt!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I understand the feeling of "you've got to be kidding" about changing a timing chain. Mercedes is not the only one to have this issue, though it is more widespread on these forums. Some early Acura TSX cars, 2004-2005 models, have suffered timing chain stretch as well.
Jim - is your 06 C230 affected by the sprocket wear issue? That seems equally as scary.
Jim - is your 06 C230 affected by the sprocket wear issue? That seems equally as scary.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Of course! Life would be too easy otherwise!
At least Glyn says MB will take care of me if we end up having the problem... I'm sending in oil samples every other oil change or so and crossing my fingers.
Overall, I like my C230s but this is a bit too much.
Ain't life grand!
At least Glyn says MB will take care of me if we end up having the problem... I'm sending in oil samples every other oil change or so and crossing my fingers.
Overall, I like my C230s but this is a bit too much.
Ain't life grand!
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
I don't really know. I know Glyn said they would because it is a known issue and I think he said it was under litigation. I trust Glyn but I think this could be a case where verification is required. I might send MBUSA a letter but then I probably don't expect more than a bunch of a$$ covering. If I send it and get a reply, I'll post it.
Glyn -- Could you bring us up to date?
Glyn -- Could you bring us up to date?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: WNY
2005 w203 C230
Keep us posted ALLOFUS on the m272 as a family friend just shelled out a few grand in that! Yeah people are suing all over but I have never seen any traction.
As far as the m271 leaking oil harness, bad heads, stretched chains now bad sprockets too. Yup, The Best or NOTHING!
As far as the m271 leaking oil harness, bad heads, stretched chains now bad sprockets too. Yup, The Best or NOTHING!
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Ok, I heard from MBUSA this morning. Here's what happened:
At the end of April I sent this letter to MBUSA:
This morning I received a phone call from MBUSA. The lady said that if the car was out of warranty, this issue would be treated like any other out of warranty issue - it should be diagnosed at a dealer, the loyalty to the dealer and MB for service, the service history, adjustments the dealer would be willing to offer, etc. She said this issue, like all issues after the warranty expired, would be addressed on a case by case basis. When I asked her point blank about the issue with the improper heat treatment (redundant, I know since she surely had my letter in front of her), she reiterated that they would not treat it any differently than any other malfunction that occurs past the warranty period.
I don't know if she had to say that for legal reasons. I suppose that there is nothing in what she said that rules out their taking care of this as a special case, but it does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
While I occasionally use the dealer for service, the majority of service work, I do myself. I keep a record of the date and mileage I perform my maintenance but I wonder how much weight they would give to my records. I'm not excited about the possibility that even though my car is properly maintained that a known defect in materials does not elicit a more accommodative policy from MB.
Sigh...
At the end of April I sent this letter to MBUSA:
Dear Sir or Madam:
I own a Certified Pre-Owned 2006 C230 (VIN: XXXXXXXXXX76085). I understand there is an issue with some 2006 C230s concerning the heat treatment on balance shaft sprockets causing them to wear prematurely and that it is covered by Star Bulletin S-B-03.30/08i. I am also led to believe that my car is likely to be one that is affected by this issue.
Can you please inform me of how Mercedes Benz would deal with this issue should my car fall prey to it? Can I expect Mercedes Benz to treat this as a warranty issue even if my car is past its warranty period? What are my responsibilities concerning this issue? Other than regular maintenance with the proper oil and filter, is there advice you can give to either ameliorate the problem or make whatever future actions that may be required, easier on both of us.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
I own a Certified Pre-Owned 2006 C230 (VIN: XXXXXXXXXX76085). I understand there is an issue with some 2006 C230s concerning the heat treatment on balance shaft sprockets causing them to wear prematurely and that it is covered by Star Bulletin S-B-03.30/08i. I am also led to believe that my car is likely to be one that is affected by this issue.
Can you please inform me of how Mercedes Benz would deal with this issue should my car fall prey to it? Can I expect Mercedes Benz to treat this as a warranty issue even if my car is past its warranty period? What are my responsibilities concerning this issue? Other than regular maintenance with the proper oil and filter, is there advice you can give to either ameliorate the problem or make whatever future actions that may be required, easier on both of us.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
I don't know if she had to say that for legal reasons. I suppose that there is nothing in what she said that rules out their taking care of this as a special case, but it does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
While I occasionally use the dealer for service, the majority of service work, I do myself. I keep a record of the date and mileage I perform my maintenance but I wonder how much weight they would give to my records. I'm not excited about the possibility that even though my car is properly maintained that a known defect in materials does not elicit a more accommodative policy from MB.
Sigh...
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Well, knock me over with a feather!
Even if you did have all of your servicing done at a dealership, I'm sure there's plenty of wiggle room for them, unless you turn up the heat yourself to get it resolved properly.
Did you get the woman's name, title, and telephone number at least, if you didn't ask for anything in writing?
I'd stop off at the local dealership with a copy of your letter and your information from the MBUSA rep and see if he will clue you in on how they've handled the issue. Waiting until a problem happens will probably be too late to get a good resolution without lawyers involved.
Or just do your regular maintenance and roll the dice like the rest of us....
Even if you did have all of your servicing done at a dealership, I'm sure there's plenty of wiggle room for them, unless you turn up the heat yourself to get it resolved properly.
Did you get the woman's name, title, and telephone number at least, if you didn't ask for anything in writing?
I'd stop off at the local dealership with a copy of your letter and your information from the MBUSA rep and see if he will clue you in on how they've handled the issue. Waiting until a problem happens will probably be too late to get a good resolution without lawyers involved.
Or just do your regular maintenance and roll the dice like the rest of us....
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,434
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
Unfortunately, I didn't get any of that information about her nor did I get anything in writing. 
Since she didn't really say anything, I'm not sure it would make any difference.
I like your suggestion to talk to the dealer. Maybe they can give me more certainty. Since I retired, I really don't need this sort of uncertainty hanging over my head. Don't get me started about the worry about the timing chain on my '05 C230!
One would think that if you bought a Benz that as long as you keep it maintained, you could just get in your car and go! I guess not. Swell...
Since she didn't really say anything, I'm not sure it would make any difference.I like your suggestion to talk to the dealer. Maybe they can give me more certainty. Since I retired, I really don't need this sort of uncertainty hanging over my head. Don't get me started about the worry about the timing chain on my '05 C230!
One would think that if you bought a Benz that as long as you keep it maintained, you could just get in your car and go! I guess not. Swell...
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,434
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
You got that right! I was hopeful they would take care of it when Glyn assured us they would (unless I misunderstood him - maybe he can clarify).
That puts a damper on our ownership of our '06, to say the least. It may not make sense for us to keep it if I know it is a ticking time bomb of a huge repair bill (I am not at all interested in fixing this myself).
That puts a damper on our ownership of our '06, to say the least. It may not make sense for us to keep it if I know it is a ticking time bomb of a huge repair bill (I am not at all interested in fixing this myself).
