M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Engine Timing .. Need help

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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 10:08 PM
  #26  
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I will as soon as I figure out how to remove the cover, it won't budge.

I read the thread you posted, I have three pins out the realized I don't need to replace all the guides, just the tension guide only, worn out on the edges.

In the same post someone mentions the Oil Pan bolts which is not the case here, the Cover bottom does not have bolts, only on 4 on top (left and right ), the 2 head bolts under the adjusters and the rest are around the front and side of the cover.

PIC 1 : The four bolts on top are all loose, I don't need to pull them out.
PIC 2: The Damaged Tension Rail
PIC 3: What is this called? some kind of valve that I need to replace the gasket on it.


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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 11:18 PM
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chain guide

Chain guide tore up has to be a really loose chain??
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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 11:22 PM
  #28  
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Just on the edge, probobly from rotating the Harmonic wheel backwords. Do you know what kind of valve this on top of the Cover?

Last edited by The_Pharoah; Jun 14, 2024 at 11:23 PM.
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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 11:29 PM
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circle it in red ok

Originally Posted by The_Pharoah
Just on the edge, probobly from rotating the Harmonic wheel backwords. Do you know what kind of valve this on top of the Cover?
Can you circle the valve in red?
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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 11:53 PM
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more info

I copied this from the long post I wanted you to read.
Note that the oil pain must be removed before removing the timing chain cover, and to do that requires lifting the engine, which requires removing several parts for clearance. Once that is done, then yes, the tensioner must be removed. Here's a comprehensive list of WIS docs for replacing the balance shaft, which includes the docs for removing the timing case cover:

https://benzbits.com/M272/ReplaceBalanceShaft.zip
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Old Jun 14, 2024 | 11:54 PM
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:05 AM
  #32  
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Here is a 2008 ML350 with the cover removed, notice the oil pan is still on and the cover is off. This what I am trying to do, get the cover off.
I should be able to do the same and remove the cover without having to take the engine out. I actually removed everything off the front including the fan, radiator grill ....etc.


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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:08 AM
  #33  
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instructions





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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:33 AM
  #34  
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passenger head

Did you loosen the bolt head on passenger side. It's under the cam gears!
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:38 AM
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Yes, on both sides.
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:40 AM
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oil pan

Originally Posted by The_Pharoah
Yes, on both sides.
Everything I have read still says the oil pan has to be at least loosen???
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:50 AM
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Ok, I am leaning to that too. This requires lowering the Exhaust system, bolts and nuts, which is ok, but hoisting the Engine requires a hoist and knowing the right height that engine needs to be lifted. I could damage my car.
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:53 AM
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That valve is the Left Air shutoff valve, in the picture is the Flange that holds the shuttoff valve. Just looked it up.
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 12:56 AM
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tools

What tools did you use to loosen the head bolts attached to the timing cover?
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 01:00 AM
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youtube

watch this one
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 01:12 AM
  #41  
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I took off the adjusters, then removed the bolts. I can put back since the left side colored chain matches and not like the right side where it does not match.
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 01:14 AM
  #42  
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oil pan

Originally Posted by The_Pharoah
I took off the adjusters, then removed the bolts. I can put back since the left side colored chain matches and not like the right side where it does not match.
Well it is looking like the only thing left is the oil pan?? Read the 4 pictures I posted and make sure nothing is missing ? good luck
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 01:23 AM
  #43  
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Thanks @vesiadog I am going to think about it and make a decision. Tirred and Frustrated
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 01:37 AM
  #44  
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been there

Originally Posted by The_Pharoah
Thanks @vesiadog I am going to think about it and make a decision. Tirred and Frustrated
Been there done that . I enjoy driving them and at almost 70 yrs old working on them gets old. Just put front wheel bearings and struts on my GL550 last week… I give you a lot of credit tearing into this job it’s a tough one that most people walk away from . Bill
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 01:46 AM
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Thumbs up

Thanks, I have decided to go ahead and do what I need to do, hoist the engine using jack and some wood peieces and remove the oil pan and the cover,. I am 4 years shy of 70 and love my car.
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 01:53 AM
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been driving since the 60’s

My dad got me started with MB’s . Our family car was a 1959 190… My first MB was a 1968 280sel… My dad was a really good mechanic and got me started at an early age. My 31 yr old son has a very large R129 part business and rebuilding the SL’s .
I really like the old 500 motors the most. The 320 motors also. Least favorite is the 350.
ok good luck and part of the country do you live in? I am 1/2 yr shy of the big 70.

Last edited by vesiadog; Jun 15, 2024 at 01:53 AM. Reason: wording
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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 02:10 AM
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must watch

this is a must watch video

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Old Jun 15, 2024 | 02:18 AM
  #48  
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My Dad used to own a Taxi service in Beirut in the 1950's, all his 6 Taxis were Mercedes'es, I never had any loyalty to any brand, it was always what the family needed, Van or Car or SUV but when my wife, for 41 years, saw this car for the first rime she fell in love with it and kept it since, it has not given me any issues but I guess age has tendencies. It started with the Righ Adjuster as retarted and the ball rolled.
Our home is Texas, north Texas and we love it.
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Old Jun 16, 2024 | 09:57 PM
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@vesiadog I have a question if you can help: I just placed the cams on the engine, is there a specific postion to place them? Any markings.

I've added a couple of pics to show you



Last edited by The_Pharoah; Jun 16, 2024 at 09:59 PM.
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Old Jun 16, 2024 | 10:16 PM
  #50  
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cams

I would watch as many videos about timing and timing chains . Hopefully you can turn the cams with enough leverage to get them in the proper timing sequence to install the chains?
Biggest question I have is How did the gear teeth look? That is what has killed many 350 engines? good luck
You align the cam gears to the crankshaft 40 degrees ATDC period. No other measurement is used. You must align the cam gears to each other and the machined surfaces of the cylinder head where the cylinder head covers bolt down. Make sure the cam gears aren't turned 180 degrees off since the top timing marks can fade. There are pulse wheels on each cam gear that align 270 degrees ATDC. There are 4 cam sensors, not the magnetic solenoids, that pull out of the front covers with one torx bolt each. When the crank is at 270 ATDC, the pulse wheel circles should align with the holes where the cam sensors were. Let me know if you have anymore questions, I have done plenty of balance shafts and helped plenty of people that have repaired them incorrectly.”
copied from a site !!!


Last edited by vesiadog; Jun 16, 2024 at 10:26 PM.
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