[W126 Coupe] Timing Chain?

[Kelly Frink]

How much should the timing chain job cost with all the parts and out the
door?

 

 

 

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Peter Weiss
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 11:14 AM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing Chain?

 

Thank you for your help!!  I am definitely going to take all your
suggestions.  I'll let you know how it turns out.  Peter Weiss 

 

From: Mike R. <mailto:mramay at att.biz>  

Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 10:44 AM

To: Mercedes <mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>  Coupes Mailing Lists 

Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing Chain?

 

The concern is NOT the timing chain, they will stretch but very rarely
break.  The timing chain guides go bad with age and heat cycling, WILL
break, and the pieces generally will be carried by the chain to the camshaft
gears, which will result in the cam jumping timing, which will result in all
the valves on that side hitting all the pistons on that side, which will
pull a minimum of $3500 from your wallet. Yep, it's that bad.

 

The plastic guides start life a milky white color and end up a maroon color
at the end of their life. It's the four upper guides that are the concern.
If you know what you're looking for, the tip of one can be seen via the oil
fill hole in the passenger's side valve cover. Otherwise pull either valve
cover and see what they look like. The passenger side cover is the easiest
to remove (no fuel lines in the way).

 

If your '91 hasn't had them replaced, they they should be done. This is one
of those jobs that once you head toward the timing chain guides, the timing
chain and chain tensioner should be done then as well. Also, the plastic
bits on the oiler tubes above the camshafts are easily accessed and should
be done at the same time (they're brittle by now as well). This is a DIY
job, with some guidance. 

 

When I did my SEC chain/guides/tensioner/oiler bits, I did the valve stem
seals as well, which were also too hard to function properly. 

 

While you're doing that much, realize that all the rubber vacuum
fittings/hoses on the engine are now hard and create vacuum leaks. Buy
yourself a couple of feet of vacuum hose, "Y" & 4-way vacuum fittings, and
replace everything you can reach. This is a bit of preventative maintenance
that will pay dividends later. Also verify that the upper radiator hose is
very soft and supple, otherwise replace it before the upper radiator neck
breaks from being shaken by the engine. Check your motor mounts too.


Later,
Mike Ramay

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Peter Weiss <mailto:pdweiss62 at aol.com>  

To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com 

Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 6:02 AM

Subject: [W126 Coupe] Timing Chain?

 

I have a 1991 560 SEC.  It has 48K miles.  Perfect mechanical condition,
books and records since new.  All original.  (Paint 7 Interior 9.5)   I have
heard rumblings that despite the mileage,  replacing the timing chain on
cars of this age is advisable.  Thought somebody out there might have some
similar experience.  Thank you, Peter   pdweiss62 at aol.com  

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