Well as suspected by Cascade and Diametricalbenz at the GTG at Mr MB (at lunch later). I'm on borrowed time with my timing chain. Last two mornings I started it cold by standing out side and turning the key.........Timing chain slap was heard both days. Yesterday more so than today.
Being built 2-84 puts it in early 1984 Build. I have read elsewhere that "...up until 1984 the 116 engines had a single row timing chain." then I have heard "...Mid year 1984 they changed to 2 row timing chains."
Is there a definitive cutoff date for the switch? Engine number? Or??
Matters only for peace of mind getting it to Enrigue to get the chain and the guides replaced.
IF mine is a single row I would like to change it to a 2 row if it isn't going to be cost prohibitive. I can do the chain and the guides , but I don't have a garage and I live in the dirt...desert. Not condusive to opening up an engine. So if it isn't too expensive, I'll have MR MB do the job.
Any ideas about swapping to a 2 row chain over the single or keeping the single row?
Now the good news. After 2,500 miles the flat spotted tires are coming out of the "thumps". Had it out on the freeway today and the vibration is almost totally gone up to 80 MPH,(too much traffic to go any faster), the speed of the traffic flow this afternoon.
If it were me, I would have Enrique at MR MB swap it over to the double row chain. And who knows, there might still be a chance that it got the double row chain in it.
The single row chain was Mercedes big mistake here, and unfortunately, ONLY on the US spec W126 380 engines that were made from 1981-1984.
It sounds like you need the new timing chain, tensioner, and guide rails RIGHT NOW!!
Don't delay. Have Enrique clear his calendar for the job and ask him to get the parts ordered for you. Start it up one last time and take it to him, when he can start on it. I would trust him on a job like this, he really knows these W126ers inside and out, and his reputation is absolutely tops, that is why people like me came from hundreds of miles away for him to work on the cars we had.
Once the job is done, it will be a major job out of the way and the big worry gone, and whether the car had a single or double row chain, it will now have a double row one.
Your car with its age and mileage needed the job awhile back anyhow, so now it is really time.
It sounds like it is time, though, right now, to get on it. From what you heard, it sounds to me like there is no room for any more delay.
Your car is worth it, it is really a beauty, with an interesting life history.
__________________ "I think God is black. What's the matter, you have a problem with that? Are you afraid He is going to steal the moon or something?"
~~~Sarah Silverman
"Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative"
~~~Oscar Wilde
Just talked to Enrique and I'm to make an appointment on Monday. He says 10-1 that my car HAS a double row chain. He said that the single row was up to the 1984 model year. But mine is an Early 1984 and I don't want to take any chances. It WILL have a double row on it when it comes back as it just adds about $100.00 to the price. (for the sprockets) and it will have new chain guides and tensioner too. With it not using any oil right now, it should be ...dare I say it?..BULLETPROOF for a long time..engine wise anyway. I just may have him order a complete assy for a double row Chain and then if it isn't double he'll have the correct parts to change it over. and if it is, then change out the worn sprockets. That job shouldn't have to be done again for 100,000 miles. I
I'll have him change out the Antifreeze and flush it. and charge the A/C. Then most of the niggling little things will be fixed.
You can tell if it is double chain by feeling the chain on the upper sprocket with your finger (remove the oil cap)
IF your fingers are long enough....mine aren't. I can feel the sprocket and the oblong hole in the sprocket, and the thickness of the sprocket just below the chain (through the hole) and I can feel one side of the chain, but my fingers are too short to search (feel) further down or across or to where the chain would be just off the sprocket. God gave me small hands and short fingers...D*MN!
If I knew the thickness difference(single row and double row) in the sprocket at the chain, I could figure it out. I can feel the bottm of the chain links on both sides of the sprocket, but that's about it.
Last edited by Charlies84380SE : 11-20-2007 at 05:31 PM.
Just talked to Enrique and I'm to make an appointment on Monday. He says 10-1 that my car HAS a double row chain. He said that the single row was up to the 1984 model year. But mine is an Early 1984 and I don't want to take any chances. It WILL have a double row on it when it comes back as it just adds about $100.00 to the price. (for the sprockets) and it will have new chain guides and tensioner too. With it not using any oil right now, it should be ...dare I say it?..BULLETPROOF for a long time..engine wise anyway. I just may have him order a complete assy for a double row Chain and then if it isn't double he'll have the correct parts to change it over. and if it is, then change out the worn sprockets. That job shouldn't have to be done again for 100,000 miles. I
I'll have him change out the Antifreeze and flush it. and charge the A/C. Then most of the niggling little things will be fixed.
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