E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550

Chain Tensioner Cap Fell into Engine

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Old 06-06-2024, 11:24 PM
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2013 E350
Chain Tensioner Cap Fell into Engine

Hey guys,

Embarrassing post but I went to replace my chain tensioners, and after the passenger side was smooth, the driver side was a complete b****. The tensioner fought coming out and going in. And at the end of it all the cap from the new tensioner fell into the timing chain compartment.

Any ideas on how I can take it out? Any tools that are thin enough to get in there? It's a really tight fit.

Let's say I left it there...what can happen? I can just use a cap from the old tensioner I took out.


Here's a picture for reference.


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06-12-2024, 05:46 AM
Mirzei
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Got it!

Ok guys I appreciate all of your guys help. I was legitimately so close to giving up and just leaving it there, but I attached a straw to a 1/4" air tip tool and it came right out with it.

I even had an air compressor to blow in the compartment to see if it would rise out, but it ended up moving the cap to a more favorable position for me to pull it out!



Old 06-07-2024, 01:04 AM
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MY'14 W212 M276 3.5NA @60kMi
no kidding

Don't rotate the engine while you have a clear line of sight!

There is a cheap flexible tool with three prongs that come out when operator press on button.

Let me look around Amazon inventory...


at your door step tomorrow... $12
this popular grabber even has 4-claws!

happy fishing
🤞

Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; 06-07-2024 at 01:25 AM.
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Old 06-07-2024, 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
Don't rotate the engine while you have a clear line of sight!

There is a cheap flexible tool with three prongs that come out when operator press on button.

Let me look around Amazon inventory...


at your door step tomorrow... $12
this popular grabber even has 4-claws!

happy fishing
🤞
Thanks Cali. I ordered one. I still worry about it falling even deeper though. This sucks.
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Old 06-07-2024, 02:22 AM
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MY'14 W212 M276 3.5NA @60kMi
Originally Posted by Mirzei
Thanks Cali. I ordered one. I still worry about it falling even deeper though. This sucks.
Its gona suck if you need to open the whole front timing chain cover.
I would not leave that piece of plastic roaming around your engine... once it gets chewed up by the chain sprockets then hundreds of chunkies will be competing to get wedged into your oil galleries.


> Surgeon practitioner:
perhaps you can practice picking up the cap of passenger tensioner before actual surgery.
🤞

> PLAN B.... glue
How about a drop of crazy-glue on a stick... wait 10sec for glue to react with oily plastic cap... there you have it !!
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Old 06-07-2024, 04:50 AM
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2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
Oh Damn !!!
I know the location of the green plastic cap.............. but it is not engine block side but timing cover side.
It is sitting on the coolant path round port, where the o-rings ( 1 per bank , so total 2 ) I will want to replace and its a nightmare job.




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Old 06-07-2024, 05:54 AM
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2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
Can you modify a vacuum cleaner hose end with extra smaller hose and use small enough hose ( not too small ) to maneuver and suck it out ?

Estimated depth of the green plastic cap, based on cylinder head to block interface in green line.
Quite deep based on your available working room, but a hose can enter for sure like your boroscope


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Old 06-07-2024, 09:25 AM
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1983 Nissan Shltbox
It must be removed. Use your imagination and a USB scope.
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Old 06-07-2024, 09:23 PM
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Is the engine installed? If it is removed from the vehicle, put it on an engine stand, invert it, then you can pick at it all day, and the only choice gravity has then, is to help you out, not work against you.
Old 06-08-2024, 01:29 AM
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MY'14 W212 M276 3.5NA @60kMi
.... I like MS! idea a lot . It's the best in case we loose sight on the little cap.

It is light and should want to fly out easily even if you cant see it --- DOUBLE CHECK THE CAPTURE BAG before not believing you have it.

We all need to learn with our thinking cap, specially on diverse mixed issues. We let experience teach us best and bull s....t walk.

Without everyone clapping together we woukd.go anywhere. Every great solution is interesting learn about the best German Mercedes system.


Lets see what is gonna do better in how long ??

Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; 06-08-2024 at 02:12 AM.
Old 06-10-2024, 11:28 PM
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2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
Small shop vac, take some 5/8" tygon tubing and duck tape it onto the end of the hose so it can only suck thru the tygon. Will sound like its almost clogged up but it will draw a good suction on end of tygon. That plastic will suck right up to the tygon and you can get it out of there quickly.

One test to do is hold hand under tygon blocking it off to make sure that the vacuum doesnt drop its suction ball internally. For some reason some of the newer ones will do that and lose suction. Really annoying.
Old 06-11-2024, 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
> PLAN B.... glue
How about a drop of crazy-glue on a stick... wait 10sec for glue to react with oily plastic cap... there you have it !!
...Or the same small diameter wooden doweling, with some chewing gum on the end. Or some sticky tape with the sticky side facing outward and wrapped around the dowel.

I would NOT use any pneumatic device, as the air can blow (or suck) the cap anywhere. You want a positive touch tool that will stick once it makes contact.

Last edited by DFWdude; 06-11-2024 at 08:59 AM.
Old 06-11-2024, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by DFWdude
...Or the same small diameter wooden doweling, with some chewing gum on the end. Or some sticky tape with the sticky side facing outward and wrapped around the dowel.

I would NOT use any pneumatic device, as the air can blow (or suck) the cap anywhere. You want a positive touch tool that will stick once it makes contact.
Gotten many a thing out of a place that was coated with oil with the shop vac thing I mentioned. Have used the 3 prong grabbers with much success also but can be tricky. The sticky substance if the plastic cap is clean will work sometimes, if its oily not likely to work very well in my experience.
Old 06-12-2024, 05:46 AM
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Got it!

Ok guys I appreciate all of your guys help. I was legitimately so close to giving up and just leaving it there, but I attached a straw to a 1/4" air tip tool and it came right out with it.

I even had an air compressor to blow in the compartment to see if it would rise out, but it ended up moving the cap to a more favorable position for me to pull it out!



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Old 06-12-2024, 10:52 AM
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1983 Nissan Shltbox
You lucky dog!

Strong work.
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Old 06-13-2024, 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Senecat
You lucky dog!

Strong work.
right on captain!
Old 06-14-2024, 12:01 AM
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Well Done
Good job . I don't know if it would cause any damage but nice to see you pulled it out
Old 07-05-2024, 11:47 AM
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Don't rotate the engine while you have a clear line of sight!

Last edited by DeanMassy; 07-05-2024 at 01:17 PM.

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