Timing Chain Rattle. How long do I have?
04-10-2018, 10:26 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Timing Chain Rattle. How long do I have?
I have a 1-2 sec timing chain rattle on my 2008 Gl320 after it has been left sitting for 8-12 hours. I have another vehicle that I can drive to work so NORMALLY this would be a non issue. Unfortunately, i recently purchased/closing on a home so we're getting into the moving process, thus no time to perform the tedious repair.
My question is(Under normal circumstances I would not be asking a question like this) how long do I have before this is going to start causing serious damage? I'm moving about 15-20 miles from my current location and would like to utilize a Uhaul trailer for the move but if that would compromise the motor I'll gladly just rent the truck.
Besides this timing chain issue I've had 0 issues with the GL and she is about to eclipse 183k miles
My question is(Under normal circumstances I would not be asking a question like this) how long do I have before this is going to start causing serious damage? I'm moving about 15-20 miles from my current location and would like to utilize a Uhaul trailer for the move but if that would compromise the motor I'll gladly just rent the truck.
Besides this timing chain issue I've had 0 issues with the GL and she is about to eclipse 183k miles
04-16-2018, 04:56 PM
#2
Senior Member
Mine started that at 55,000 miles. I noticed it on a trip to my in-laws for Christmas and I stopped driving it as soon as I got home from that trip.
I ordered the parts and did the work and didn't drive it again until it was complete. I'm lucky in that we have a third car that I was able to drive in the meantime. That allowed me to take my time collecting the tools and parts that I needed. The actual work took me about 35 hours. I could do it a lot faster if I had to do it again, probably 20 hours or less.
As for how long you could drive it; I don't think it's something that you need to do right away like I did, but I wouldn't push my luck. I can tell you that the old chain looked and felt like it would survive a direct hit from a bomb, so I don't think you're going to have it break. Having had it apart, I don't see how it could skip a tooth and get out of time, but perhaps having it flail around and break something is a possibility.
I ordered the parts and did the work and didn't drive it again until it was complete. I'm lucky in that we have a third car that I was able to drive in the meantime. That allowed me to take my time collecting the tools and parts that I needed. The actual work took me about 35 hours. I could do it a lot faster if I had to do it again, probably 20 hours or less.
As for how long you could drive it; I don't think it's something that you need to do right away like I did, but I wouldn't push my luck. I can tell you that the old chain looked and felt like it would survive a direct hit from a bomb, so I don't think you're going to have it break. Having had it apart, I don't see how it could skip a tooth and get out of time, but perhaps having it flail around and break something is a possibility.
07-31-2018, 01:08 AM
#3
Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2012 GL 350 BlueTec 4Matic
Hello sak335, My 2012 GL 350 is making the chain rattle noise at startup, since you have been inside the engine do you have any thoughts on where the chain is making the noise at or if it is actually contacting anything? Thanks so much!
07-31-2018, 12:39 PM
#4
Senior Member
I believe that it's hitting the timing case until the tensioner picks up the slack. Given that the case is aluminum and would be a lot of hours to replace, I would not drive it long before I had the chain replaced.
If you're not the type to do the job yourself, go to a good independent European/Mercedes mechanic and have them do it. For a professional mechanic this is not a difficult job.
If you're not the type to do the job yourself, go to a good independent European/Mercedes mechanic and have them do it. For a professional mechanic this is not a difficult job.
08-06-2018, 10:38 PM
#6
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
Please advise
I believe that it's hitting the timing case until the tensioner picks up the slack. Given that the case is aluminum and would be a lot of hours to replace, I would not drive it long before I had the chain replaced.
If you're not the type to do the job yourself, go to a good independent European/Mercedes mechanic and have them do it. For a professional mechanic this is not a difficult job.
If you're not the type to do the job yourself, go to a good independent European/Mercedes mechanic and have them do it. For a professional mechanic this is not a difficult job.
