Vehicle: White 1982 Euro 500 SEC (67,000), Black 1982 Euro 500 SEC, 1985 300D Turbo Diesel (329,000 miles!)
Location: Missouri
Posts: 220
Timing chain tensioner
So I'm looking at buying an '85 that needs the timing chain tensioner replaced. I havn't seen the car yet, the seller said the chain makes a noise. I don't know how long it's had this problem but was wondering if it would be safe driving (at least home, though the car isn't close) before I can get to fixing it. I read other posts on here about the tensioner and I think I could handle the repair, should I go ahead and replace the chain while I'm at it. How much more work is that?
I don't know much about these 190's and I'm not actually too mechanically inclined so I need some guidance. Thanks.
Chain making noise... tensioner would be the best repair variant, there are also many things, and bad ones to be considered there to cause the timing chain noise (been there the hardest way around this website)... my advice is first to inspect the car, see where the chatter comes from (front, middle, rear of the engine) open the oil filler cap and inspect the chain and as far you might see the gear and rails below (if they're v. dark brown, you have an issue, for sure). I'd see b4 that some receipts for various repairs if not a complete service on the car. Many POs make big mistakes (doing themselves things that require a good mech or just using really bad mech services), believe me I've seen like almost a hundred on mine... I don't want to turn you back on your choice by any means, but this sound (timing chain, either simplex or dual) is not friendly at all..
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Mercedes 190 E 2.0 (1983) 102.961 engine
"In giving advice, seek to help, not please your friend." - Solon (638-559 BC) Greek lawgiver & politician.
Last edited by Samoila Stefan : 06-15-2007 at 10:56 AM.
Vehicle: White 1982 Euro 500 SEC (67,000), Black 1982 Euro 500 SEC, 1985 300D Turbo Diesel (329,000 miles!)
Location: Missouri
Posts: 220
The seller says the chain tensioner was diagnosed by a german/mercedes mechanic and the car hasn't been driven except maybe for 4 15min. trips since. With this problem, would it be safe to drive it a long distance?
You gota wonder why a person would take a car to get an engine noise diagnosed and not get it fixed if the part costs around $35 and less than an hour to replace. Depending on the milage and oil change history you could be looking at a big repair. Its possible the tensioner is the only thing that needs to be replaced. I replaced my tensioner at the first sign of "start up" noise (165,000 miles) and its been quiet since. Mines a double row chain, while the older ones are single row and will stretch faster.
The '85 is a single row chain. The typical indication that there's too much chain slack (stretched chain or failing tensioner) is that there's a rattle on start up that goes away once oil pressure builds up. What's happening is that the old style tensioner relied on oil pressure to push on the chain rail. The updated version uses a coil spring to maintain tension rather than oil pressure.
Vehicle: White 1982 Euro 500 SEC (67,000), Black 1982 Euro 500 SEC, 1985 300D Turbo Diesel (329,000 miles!)
Location: Missouri
Posts: 220
The guy said if I'm still interested he would get it fixed before/if I bought the car. Should I see about fixing the timing chain itself while we're at it?
I'm considering the car, it has a little over 100,000, is an '85, looks quite nice, he's asking 3000. He has all service records, though I havn't seen them yet. I'll attach a photo.
By the way, does anyone know if these wheels are original mercedes? I kind of like them, but I'm afraid their not.
Makes it a lot easier to install.
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