Doug-Maryland

I recently read in the MB Star magazine, that the timing chain tensioner and guides should be replaced every 100,000 miles or every 10 years. My 1989 560SL has only 58,000 miles, but has the original tensioner and guides. The car has always been well maintained, with Mobil 1 oil changes every 3,000 miles or once a year.

The manual shows the tensioner and guide replacement to be a major project, with lots of disassembly just to get to them. Am I likely to be ok, or is this truly a risk item for this motor?

Thanks, Doug

myway

It is age and heat cycles. Guides become brittle. Yes it is a concern for yours.