How to remove E55 engine heads?
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2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
How to remove E55 engine heads?
I'm trying to remove the heads off an E55 engine. I took out all the head bolts but the timing chain is holding the head on. How do I get the timing chain off?
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Engine is not turning. That's why I'm taking it apart to see what's wrong. I can't turn it like the instructions say. Is there another way to take off the timing chain?
Last edited by e500slr; Apr 19, 2015 at 05:40 PM.
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2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
I got the cam gear off but the chain has to come off for the head to come off. The cam gear is making the head stuck and that's because of the damn chain. I don't want to get my hammer out and start *******g **** up even though I'm getting agitated now. Should I take a grinding wheel to it?
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From: SE MI
2005 Mercedes E55 AMG
Pull the chain tensioner. 24mm (I think) socket behind the alternator on the passenger side of the engine. Once the tensioner is removed, the passenger cam gear can come off of the cam. Then fish the cam gear out of the head pocket, let the chain drop, proceed to the driver side and pull the cam with the gear.
You will still need to remove the oil filter housing if you want to lift the driver side head off, or remove the front cover altogether.
You will still need to remove the oil filter housing if you want to lift the driver side head off, or remove the front cover altogether.
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From: Orlando
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
Get the tools that lock the cams in place before removing the cam gears. You'll need them to re-install anyways, so if you lock the cams first, the crankshaft will already be in the correct position , making the re-installation process easier.
Also , the bolts that secure the cam gear to the cam are a 1 time use TTY fastener. Don't re-use those bolts!
Also , the bolts that secure the cam gear to the cam are a 1 time use TTY fastener. Don't re-use those bolts!
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Pull the chain tensioner. 24mm (I think) socket behind the alternator on the passenger side of the engine. Once the tensioner is removed, the passenger cam gear can come off of the cam. Then fish the cam gear out of the head pocket, let the chain drop, proceed to the driver side and pull the cam with the gear.
You will still need to remove the oil filter housing if you want to lift the driver side head off, or remove the front cover altogether.
You will still need to remove the oil filter housing if you want to lift the driver side head off, or remove the front cover altogether.
You can remove/install the heads with the oil filter housing in place. It's a pain but can be done.
Get the tools that lock the cams in place before removing the cam gears. You'll need them to re-install anyways, so if you lock the cams first, the crankshaft will already be in the correct position , making the re-installation process easier.
Also , the bolts that secure the cam gear to the cam are a 1 time use TTY fastener. Don't re-use those bolts!
Also , the bolts that secure the cam gear to the cam are a 1 time use TTY fastener. Don't re-use those bolts!
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From: Keller
clk63, cls55, ml63, (w210) E55
The odds of this thread being started as I'm about to remove my heads is crazy. I'm tearing into it this week. lol
Can I leave the timing chain cover on while I remove the heads? I have done the camshafts 5 times now on a M113 but never the heads. Biggest fear is that the chain will drop and skip a tooth. I don't want to pull the engine.....
Can I leave the timing chain cover on while I remove the heads? I have done the camshafts 5 times now on a M113 but never the heads. Biggest fear is that the chain will drop and skip a tooth. I don't want to pull the engine.....
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The odds of this thread being started as I'm about to remove my heads is crazy. I'm tearing into it this week. lol
Can I leave the timing chain cover on while I remove the heads? I have done the camshafts 5 times now on a M113 but never the heads. Biggest fear is that the chain will drop and skip a tooth. I don't want to pull the engine.....
Can I leave the timing chain cover on while I remove the heads? I have done the camshafts 5 times now on a M113 but never the heads. Biggest fear is that the chain will drop and skip a tooth. I don't want to pull the engine.....
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From: Orlando
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
Yes you can leave the front cover on. And the chain skipping a tooth is of no consequence. Just lock the cams first, and mark the balancer in relation to the cover before loosening the tensioner bolt. The line on the balancer should line up with a reference point on the cover but mark it with a yellow paint pen anyways.
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From: Keller
clk63, cls55, ml63, (w210) E55
Yes you can leave the cover on. I've done it countless times. You should zip tie the chain to the sprocket. That way it won't skip. Even if it does manage to skip. You set the crank to 40 and use the timing tools to get it right. You don't have to pull the motor. I always use the tools to set timing even if I'm sure nothing changed. Better to be safe than sorry
Yes you can leave the front cover on. And the chain skipping a tooth is of no consequence. Just lock the cams first, and mark the balancer in relation to the cover before loosening the tensioner bolt. The line on the balancer should line up with a reference point on the cover but mark it with a yellow paint pen anyways.
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From: SE MI
2005 Mercedes E55 AMG
The odds of this thread being started as I'm about to remove my heads is crazy. I'm tearing into it this week. lol
Can I leave the timing chain cover on while I remove the heads? I have done the camshafts 5 times now on a M113 but never the heads. Biggest fear is that the chain will drop and skip a tooth. I don't want to pull the engine.....
Can I leave the timing chain cover on while I remove the heads? I have done the camshafts 5 times now on a M113 but never the heads. Biggest fear is that the chain will drop and skip a tooth. I don't want to pull the engine.....
Yes you can leave the cover on. I've done it countless times. You should zip tie the chain to the sprocket. That way it won't skip. Even if it does manage to skip. You set the crank to 40 and use the timing tools to get it right. You don't have to pull the motor. I always use the tools to set timing even if I'm sure nothing changed. Better to be safe than sorry
Yes you can leave the front cover on. And the chain skipping a tooth is of no consequence. Just lock the cams first, and mark the balancer in relation to the cover before loosening the tensioner bolt. The line on the balancer should line up with a reference point on the cover but mark it with a yellow paint pen anyways.
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The back side of the front cover has a boss that prevents the chain from losing its place on the crankshaft timing sprocket. This is also the boss that the chain hits when the tension spring is fatigued.
If you zip the chain to the sprocket, I'm not sure you can lift the heads off... at least I've never tried it that way. Like Ahmad and Chris are stating, just align everything with the locking tool first and you won't have to worry about it. This motor is pretty easy to time... you should try a 4V Modular (4 chains).
If you zip the chain to the sprocket, I'm not sure you can lift the heads off... at least I've never tried it that way. Like Ahmad and Chris are stating, just align everything with the locking tool first and you won't have to worry about it. This motor is pretty easy to time... you should try a 4V Modular (4 chains).
You can. I've done it that way a bunch of times. Make it easier going back together too since you pretty much have the chain on the sprocket already "timed". I just do a couple rotations by hand to make sure the cams tools fall back in and you're good to go (obviously cut the zip ties off before rotating the motor for any newbs reading this in the future so you don't blame me for a zip tie in your motor). Tricks of the trade.
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From: Keller
clk63, cls55, ml63, (w210) E55
Going to stop drinking once I get to the heads. Not going to take any chances this time. lol
Last edited by EREBUS; Apr 20, 2015 at 04:16 PM.
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OK, so I took off the bolt on the side of the block next to the alternator and that loosened the chain but only on the alternator side of the engine. How do I do the driver's side, there's no similar bolt on the other side?
Also, does the chain and sprocket position matter considering I'm tearing this motor apart completely? Wouldn't timing have to be done later anyway if someone buys it or I end up using it? So can I just take the chain off?
Also, does the chain and sprocket position matter considering I'm tearing this motor apart completely? Wouldn't timing have to be done later anyway if someone buys it or I end up using it? So can I just take the chain off?
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OK, so I took off the bolt on the side of the block next to the alternator and that loosened the chain but only on the alternator side of the engine. How do I do the driver's side, there's no similar bolt on the other side?
Also, does the chain and sprocket position matter considering I'm tearing this motor apart completely? Wouldn't timing have to be done later anyway if someone buys it or I end up using it? So can I just take the chain off?
Also, does the chain and sprocket position matter considering I'm tearing this motor apart completely? Wouldn't timing have to be done later anyway if someone buys it or I end up using it? So can I just take the chain off?
If you're tearing down completely I wouldn't worry about it. Usually I just zip tire the chain to the sprockets but in the end it doesn't really matter. Need to time it again
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That's the only timing chain tensioner. There's a gear between the two cam sprockets that spins freely.
If you're tearing down completely I wouldn't worry about it. Usually I just zip tire the chain to the sprockets but in the end it doesn't really matter. Need to time it again
If you're tearing down completely I wouldn't worry about it. Usually I just zip tire the chain to the sprockets but in the end it doesn't really matter. Need to time it again
By the way if I zip tie the sprocket to the chain, how will head come off?
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Same way it would come off if you didn't zip tie it. You have to umbolt the sprocket from the cam. If it's easier for you just don't zip tie it
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How come the chain on the other side is still stiff?
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From: Keller
clk63, cls55, ml63, (w210) E55
Bro, just download Kleemann's camshaft install directions. It will show you how to remove the camshafts and sprockets.
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