hineywineries

Just curious about how many MB V8 owners have had the misfortune to own a 450, 380, 500, 420, or 560 when the ting jumped on the left bank bending all the valves. I try to warn people and they think I'm yankin their chain.

Untertürkheim

My 560 has had no major engine issues, and minimal timing chain stretch.

hineywineries

What is minimal timing chain stretch and what are your parameters?

Untertürkheim

The most expensive repairs have been the fuel distributor and the AC compressor, followed by the nitrogen cells.

1 degree @ 100k mile inspection

hineywineries

! degree is very acceptable at 100k. I allow up to 5 degrees on inspections before I recommend chain replacement. Your minimal strech is probably due to your attention to frequent oil changes. Even the simplex chains of the early 80s lasted longer on cars that were serviced properly although introduction of the duplex chain was a great improvement to longevity.

Iceman

Taking a "pole"? That's gonna leave a mark

hineywineries

You nailed me> As a rule my command of the english language is above college level, and I seldom use a dictionary, but once in awhile I screw up. You caught me, and I can't think of a way to call it a typo. Homonyms are what make the english language difficult to learn. To take a poll is to take a census. To take a pole is how the Catholics chose their last pope. Thanks again for the gentle rap on the head.

Iceman

All in good fun. It's the internet, not a spelling/grammar contest!

hey_allen

Well, I just bought a SEC with what looks likely to be a hopped timing chain, but who knows what evil the prior owner commited against this car.

Overall, he struck me as a little absent minded, and definintely uninformed as to MB maintenance.

I can't say as how often it happens, but it does happen..

Xsbank

"Yanking your chain" will likely bend valves, too.

novone

I once had a 380sel with a worn timing chain AND low oil level in the sump. Going around a sharp uphill right hand corner apparently deprived the hydrraulic chain tensioner of oil and bent several valves, broke a slider etc, very expensive.

911c2

Hello

First of all I am new. Yeah this is my first post.
The 420 engine, I assume many others, has timing chain guides made of plastic. The originals can brake.While that in itself is not a very big issue (this is usually not where the damage happens) the broken part of the guide can flip and due to a possible rock back and forth (loose tension on the chain valves springs loaded can spin the cam) the guide gets under the cam gear on the left bank and gets it out of time.
You drive the car home all is well, the guide is broken but you do not know, you shut her off and the guide flips in to position. the next time you crank the damage is done in the first seconds. After that, plus tarde.

My car had new guides and a timing chain installed at 80K, I had the work doen as preventive maint ( when we got in there the guide was indeed broken).

My $.02 if you plan on keeping her for a while, change the guides.