M113K Timing Question - Chain / Guides?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 19
From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
M113K Timing Question - Chain / Guides?
So had to replace the timing cover coolant seals and also take a look at the engine timing.
Before I pulled everything apart I checked the timing with tools and the right bank would not seat - probs around 1-2mm away from fitting.
When the timing cover was removed [- subframe, - Lower and - Upper oil Pans
] and the cams locked in place there was allot of slack between the intermediate gear and bank 2 camshaft - It seemed like half a tooth!?
So reset the timing with cams locked down crank at 40deg and now there is mbe 1-2 mm play in the timing chain - thing is I've changed nothing though (at least I think so) and cant explain why its now "OK" and not seeing the slack as before.
On that point is 1-2mm play in the chain OK or should this be tighter? Guides look fine - nothing looks broken / cracked etc.
Motor only has 37k miles so don't expect much issues and really don't want to pull heads just to replace timing chain guides - which look fine. On this the guides are solid black with no white/brown running surfaces like replacement ones have now. Are the non solid black ones preferred?
Lots of Q but I want to get this right before she goes back together. From what I can tell it seems highly unlikely the chain has stretched (mileage / double chain) hardly ever seen to stretch.
Before I pulled everything apart I checked the timing with tools and the right bank would not seat - probs around 1-2mm away from fitting.
When the timing cover was removed [- subframe, - Lower and - Upper oil Pans
] and the cams locked in place there was allot of slack between the intermediate gear and bank 2 camshaft - It seemed like half a tooth!?So reset the timing with cams locked down crank at 40deg and now there is mbe 1-2 mm play in the timing chain - thing is I've changed nothing though (at least I think so) and cant explain why its now "OK" and not seeing the slack as before.
On that point is 1-2mm play in the chain OK or should this be tighter? Guides look fine - nothing looks broken / cracked etc.
Motor only has 37k miles so don't expect much issues and really don't want to pull heads just to replace timing chain guides - which look fine. On this the guides are solid black with no white/brown running surfaces like replacement ones have now. Are the non solid black ones preferred?
Lots of Q but I want to get this right before she goes back together. From what I can tell it seems highly unlikely the chain has stretched (mileage / double chain) hardly ever seen to stretch.
Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 10
W211 E55 AMG
I have seen that too. With 4 m113k engines. And on two of them the chain was replaced, but upon removal, it wasnt streched at all. The guides were replaced aswell. And with new parts the slack was the same. The tool could be bolted down to head even though the slack was there.
Last edited by Papieye; Apr 23, 2026 at 11:37 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 586
2005 e55 AMG
I have never used the tool to set timing. It is set by the copper links in the chain for the crank,keyway straight up,and cam sprockets set on copper chin links. There will be slop without the chain tensioner pushing against it. I say your good.
