From what I’ve seen & read it doesn’t seem like anyone else has been crazy enough to attempt this job at home…and at this point I’m stuck.

In the process of updating my timing chains and cam adjusters, and I’m trying to get the yellow mark on the left (bank 1) chain matched up with the mark on the intermediate gear - problem being they aren’t visible once you have the intermediate gear on its shaft. And at the same time the chain from the intermediate gear to the camshaft has to go on while also lining up with it’s own markings. It’s the kinda job where you seem to need extra hands.

I have both intake and exhaust adjusters removed while I attempt this, so that the chain is slack enough to work with. Am I going about this the wrong way? Is there some sort of technique or trick that the Mercedes pros here know about?

 

do you have access to WIS?

 

Yes I do.

From what I recall WIS shows the timing setup procedure with the valve/cam covers removed. Whereas I’ve been doing the work with the covers in place. In any case, seems one or both cam adjusters need to be out of the way in order to have enough slack in the chain to get it around the intermediate gear.

 

I'll look over the wis later after work. Its a pain to pull the covers, but with something as critical as the timing, Its likely worth it to make sure .

 

@Valvestud is usually a big help here

 

All the yellow marks need to be lined up on ALL the chains at the same time AFAIK. This means engine out, timing cover off, and start from scratch. I takes something like 250+ turns of the crankshaft to get all the marks lined up again after they are initially set up. A big job that I wouldn't want to get involved in. This engine is the worst when it comes to the timing chains...almost as if it was never meant to be taken apart. Hopefully someone else will chime in with a shortcut, but most forum participants here are owners not technicians. I'm not really an engine guy, I'm a diagnostic (electrical) guy.