mistersir

Does the W204 have a timing belt or timing chain? If it's a timing chain, does that need to be changed with the water pump down the road, or will it last the life of the car?

All my previous cars had timing belts and I hated changing them because it costs so much $$$.

charliele729

I believe it is chain, If you take a look inside under the oil cap, it looks like there are bike chains in there.

matthew121170

They are chains, and it is my understanding that they don't need to be changed unless they fail. Of course if the chain fails, you are going to have bigger issues...

That's my understanding...

pfphipps

Your car has a timing chain and it should be replaced when worn, not when it fails. This is usually well over 100,000 miles on a Mercedes engine (with the exception of one V8 engine in the early 80s). It has nothing to do with the water pump.

matthew121170

ah ha...see i stand corrected. thanks!

mistersir

That's good to know. I always felt timing belts were ticking time bombs, as they can fail by age and not necessarily by mileage.

Derspeed

You would think something would have replaced timing chains and most certainly belts by now. I remember insalling timing gear drives in motors some time ago. It was not on cars with overhead cams, but surely someone could come up with a way to make it work. Gears and spinning rods maybe?