Timing Chain Taughtness
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 1
From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
Timing Chain Taughtness
replacing the headgasket in my brothers m104 300ce and decided to go ahead and do some other maintenece things while we had the engine apart... put a new timing chain, guides and tensioner in... but the timing chain is really tight (as in no play what so ever) now, I have turned the engine over and there isn't any binding...
are the new timing chain tensioners adjustable... because the factory manual doesn't say anything about adjusting... just installing it
are the new timing chain tensioners adjustable... because the factory manual doesn't say anything about adjusting... just installing it
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
the engines use a ratcheting mechanism that is hydraulic to tension the chain. i dont recall the exact way to determine chain stretch, but i think you have to put #1 at TDC (on the crankshaft pulley,) then see if the timing mark on the camshaft is also at TDC or just off a little.
i could be wrong. its been many years since i was inside a benz engine. but i know that once the chain is getting noisy that it needs replacement.
i could be wrong. its been many years since i was inside a benz engine. but i know that once the chain is getting noisy that it needs replacement.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by myfirstbenz
replacing the headgasket in my brothers m104 300ce and decided to go ahead and do some other maintenece things while we had the engine apart... put a new timing chain, guides and tensioner in... but the timing chain is really tight (as in no play what so ever) now, I have turned the engine over and there isn't any binding...
are the new timing chain tensioners adjustable... because the factory manual doesn't say anything about adjusting... just installing it
are the new timing chain tensioners adjustable... because the factory manual doesn't say anything about adjusting... just installing it
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 1
From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
I got everything in place just fine, it is just that it is tight! and I would hate to prematurely wear down any parts ... I know the head is tight too so that shouldn't be an issue...hmm, maybe it just needs to break-in.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 1
From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
well got the 300CE fired up a few days ago and it runs fine, however it does have a bit of a whrring sound coming from the front of the motor, not in the head. It isn't horrible but it is a sound that I have not heard in the motor before the timing chain and tensioner. THe car does however run with much more pep and power but does not idle as well with some light surging but no engine lights come on, so I think it might just be needing to run some more.
Thoughs?
Thoughs?
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
As wolftin suggested, the tensioner needs to be installed correctly after the timing chain is installed. This is covered in the link he provided. One poster mentioned after the fact that he didn't do this which resulted in overtension and the timing chain rails grenaded. I'm afraid this may happen to you.
Since you have the timing chain reassembled, you need to remove the tensioner assembly. Undo it using the big nut, which removes the tensioner assembly.... the little nut is for the plunger. The plunger inside the body ratchets in one direction only. It is overratcheted (overextended) when the timing chain is removed. You need to remove the plunger, install the body to the engine, then reinsert the plunger, spring, and nut back into the body.... Done!
The true tension comes from the oil pressure. The ratchet limits the movement backward so there is little slack in the mechanism during startup and shutdown.
Since you have the timing chain reassembled, you need to remove the tensioner assembly. Undo it using the big nut, which removes the tensioner assembly.... the little nut is for the plunger. The plunger inside the body ratchets in one direction only. It is overratcheted (overextended) when the timing chain is removed. You need to remove the plunger, install the body to the engine, then reinsert the plunger, spring, and nut back into the body.... Done!
The true tension comes from the oil pressure. The ratchet limits the movement backward so there is little slack in the mechanism during startup and shutdown.
Last edited by Kestas; Dec 28, 2005 at 10:39 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
