Timing chain could be stretched but it doesn't seem to happen on all the diesels.

 

Timing chain is not even close to oil cooler repair work. I would replace the swirl motor with new clips for peace of mind during an oil cooler replacement. My swirl clip to bank 2 of intake manifold came undone in my GL320. Will replace it myself when weather gets warmer.

 

Thank you for the replies. I had asked both in there and mileage. I think Blown was indicating the latter. I do plan to have checked, I am hoping not an issue. I always thought chains were longer lasting. Since I have a tune I am planning to have the swirls deleted and welded up as well as egr delete. I am eager to see if my intake is full of tar and better performance after clean up. It’s possile the leak is just slow runoff after my oil cap leak. I added oil while engine cold and guess the seal was bad. No more issues after new cap. I don’t think the seals have ever been changed so at 165k it has to be close unless there are those that get easily over 200k

I was curious if anyone has changed water pump. I don’t hear much mention about. I hear an occasional squeal when turn off the engine. I figure maybe pump or belt roller or tensioner. Again at 165K all original. I am hoping for over 300k

 

i would clean the intake manifold and valves of carbon residue, I suggest walnut blasting

 

I've also wondered about the water pump as my ML is over 183k now. They never seen to last 100k miles on various other German cars that I've owned. I searched a while back and didn't find many posts about the water pumps on the W164 cdi's. I guess they are really robust. Keeping an eye out for the day it begins weeping coolant. You're probably due for a belt tensioner and idler pulley.