rene_gts

Hello

I’m writing for my father. He as a 2013 ML63 AMG (W166) with 140000 km (87000 miles). Car has been regularly serviced at the dealer. Now 1 month ago when he was stopped by the red light he had a misfire from the engine. Since he was 1 km (0,6 miles) away from the dealer he limped his car there. Now a month later when the dealer has checked out the engine and also opened it, it appears that the chain was loosened and somehow ruining half of the cylinders.

My question is - is it normal for M157 engine to have a loose/stretched chain rendering the engine pretty much totally broken?

All input and help is welcome.

ygmn

normal cannot be a loose timing chain...as car would not run.

Did he have all maintenance done?

rene_gts

Yes, all maintenance done and no earlier issues. I should be receiving the full service record by him, but I'm quite sure I'm not able to understand the codes in there. Just a question - is the timing chain replaced under some service as well? As far as I know his chain hasn't been replaced.

ygmn

go to MB website and you can download the maintenance manual whic hlist what has t be done and when.

TECHNICIAN

Timing chain is not replaced at a certain maintenence interval

shardul

iTrader: (1)

Maybe the guides for the chain wore out causing slack in the chain.

WANTED!!

I'm starting to wonder if maybe it should be given the spike in failures in the early m157s. There is a revised setup that includes new sprockets, new tensioner, new guides and a beefier chain that the later model m157s got from the factory (2016?). The revised chain is not compatible with the older components and requires conversion of it all.
It's also my understanding that only the revised chains are are available. I've seen both side by side and it is indeed a significant revision.