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I’ve currently got my M157 timing cover removed and am in the process of changing out the cam adjusters (have a P001785 code) and of course doing R&R of other timing related parts like chains and guides, updated tensioners and check valves since I’m already in there.
Trouble is, I bought 4 new cam adjusters according to the original p/n’s for my 2012 E63. This was after watching a Tasos video on YT from a few years ago where he was able to fit both old and new timing chains on the old adjusters - so I figured I was ok. Well, several months later I’m finally doing the job and guess what? New chains don’t fit properly on old adjusters.
Since I have everything open I decided to do a side-by-side of the old and new bank 1 chain. I figured if the old chain hasn’t stretched (approaching 100k miles on the odo) then maybe I could reinstall the original chain to fit with the adjusters I bought. Which brings me to my example…
Note the differences in the links between the old split links and the newer solid links. Btw the older chain is discontinued and unavailable everywhere I’ve looked.
It would appear my old chain is stretched, which means having to source another set of the newer adjusters to fit my new chains and eating the cost of the first set that I bought - which fortunately for me wasn’t at retail M-B pricing of $600-700 a pop.
Hope this helps those decide to DIY this job.
Oh yeah, my question: does this amount of chain stretch seem excessive on a car with my mileage that had oil changed typically every 10k or so with no hard driving and no check valves behind the tensioners?
Last edited by amgggg...; Jan 14, 2023 at 03:57 PM.
Yeah thanks Peter, read that a while back. That’s where I originally saw the Tasos video comparing the new and old timing chains.
From everything I’ve read, P001785/1885 directly points to a bad cam adjuster. I also checked my timing based on another Tasos video (guy is invaluable) where he removes all the cam sensors and views the sensor reading plates to verify if the physical timing is out. Everything checked out ok in my case so I figured the chains were fine.
Typical to a bicycle chain, an old chain does not fit on new cogs, and a new chain does not fit on old cogs if either are worn at all. Chains and cogs must always be replaced at the same time regardless of application, for the best long term wear characteristics.
your old chain is stretched so the distance center to center is no longer the same. That the factory’s updates to the engine included new tensioner and check valves and chain to prevent stretch, one could assume that yes your chain stretch is normal with old tensioners, chain, and no valves.
sorry you’re incurring the extra expense. Always buy the newest parts produced by the factory even if it requires some other parts are needed too.
Your pic is a little blurry when zoomed in, but looks like the split-link chain from what I can see…which means the chains are original and not updated.
Your pic is a little blurry when zoomed in, but looks like the split-link chain from what I can see…which means the chains are original and not updated.
There are definitely 2 and 3 links across and not 4 and 4. I think what is seen is some wear... Thanks for your response.
Last edited by Nor Cal SL55; Jan 15, 2025 at 07:11 PM.
Reason: diffentately - wow
Oh yeah, my question: does this amount of chain stretch seem excessive on a car with my mileage that had oil changed typically every 10k or so with no hard driving and no check valves behind the tensioners?
I'm sure you have figured all this out already... It would be hard to discern if that is streach or not without both sets of chain wheels. Over the last couple of days, I've watched many videos and have read a bunch of lenthy posts (now I'm an expert - HA!). It does look like the chains have different configurations/depths which may cause one to be longer than the other when installed. I thought I would suggest this here becuase this was one of the main questions of the original post. I really don't know if this is true or not.
Last edited by Nor Cal SL55; Jan 15, 2025 at 07:13 PM.
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). It does look like the chains have different configurations/depths which may cause one to be longer than the other when installed. I thought I would suggest this here becuase this was one of the main questions of the original post. I really don't know if this is true or not.
