[MattL]

my ‘84 380sl has developed a noticeable ticking in the right front of the engine. From a forum search it appears that it imight be lifters or Timing chain guides. I figure if the mechanic is going to pull the valve covers I should probably have the Top guides replaced, new tensioner and cam Oiler installed as the car has 97k and has not been done. My question is how big a job is this cost wise and mechanic experience wise? Thanks for any help

 

[Franklyspeaking]

Probably lucky it is ticking and not stopped if the chain guides have never been changed. It's not a mileage thing, but rather a time thing. They are made of plastic and 36 years of age makes them brittle. I changed my guides, chain and sprockets over a couple of week period. Someone else will chime in with a mechanics price, but I wouldn't do one for less than a $1,000.

 

[visman]

I was quoted $1700 for exactly what you suggest - by a reliable shop that has strong experience with vintage SL’s. I would budget $2K. In my case the timing chain and guides were already done by a PO - my rattle at start was due to a week tensioner. My bill came to $900 (tensioner, cam oiler, head gaskets and oil change).

 

[rick]

Do not run the car before a proper diagnosis is made!

 

[miko1aj]

I'd also replace the chain and sprockets while at it - it's a big job but you want to do it once / in one go and have it done properly,especially if your V8 is still a single chain engine.

 

[cwmoser]

I was told by a Mercedes rep years ago that all 1984-1985 380SL's utilize the dual row timing chain,
and some very late 1983's utilized the dual row chain too.

 

[miko1aj]

Yes, I recall they were upgraded around thay time, but you know yourself: in God we trust, everyone else must bring theor data. 😉

 

[MattL]

I was quoted $1700 for exactly what you suggest - by a reliable shop that has strong experience with vintage SL’s. I would budget $2K. In my case the timing chain and guides were already done by a PO - my rattle at start was due to a week tensioner. My bill came to $900 (tensioner, cam oiler, head gaskets and oil change).

A reliable shop is proving hard to find in my neck of the woods. The MB dealership in Vermont declined the work as they didn’t have a mechanic to do the work. My local foreign auto shop also declined. Started to get me worried that it was a huge complex job. $2k is a lot but the car is worth it.

 

[MattL]

I was told by a Mercedes rep years ago that all 1984-1985 380SL's utilize the dual row timing chain,
and some very late 1983's utilized the dual row chain too.

It is a two row timing chain

Yes, I recall they were upgraded around thay time, but you know yourself: in God we trust, everyone else must bring theor data. 😉

I can’t confirm it is a double but will find out when the valve covers come off.

 

[MattL]

I'd also replace the chain and sprockets while at it - it's a big job but you want to do it once / in one go and have it done properly,especially if your V8 is still a single chain engine.

If it’s a double should I still replace?

 

[MattL]

Do not run the car before a proper diagnosis is made!

Finally summer here in Vermont and I’m too concerned to start it up because of this. Will need to winch it up on the trailer to get it to the shop.

 

[cwmoser]

Yes, I recall they were upgraded around thay time, but you know yourself: in God we trust, everyone else must bring theor data. 😉

When I was a working stiff back in the 1980s, Deming was part of our corporate culture.

 

[Weather Man]

Ticking could be many different things. It might your exhaust manifold. It might be an obstruction among your belts or the fan. It might be a valve. You may be low on oil. Before you embark on a large project, make sure of your diagnosis.

 

[rick]

The guides are made of a plastic which becomes brittle and will break as a result of time rather than miles. A broken timing chain guide is as damaging as a broken timing chain. You can open the oil filler cap on the right front valve cover. Use a small mirror and look forward to the timing chain and you can see if it is a single or double row type. An 84 should be a double row, but that still does not fix the timing chain guide problem.

 

[visman]

A reliable shop is proving hard to find in my neck of the woods. The MB dealership in Vermont declined the work as they didn’t have a mechanic to do the work. My local foreign auto shop also declined. Started to get me worried that it was a huge complex job. $2k is a lot but the car is worth it.

I agree - it took me a while to find my shop. They are in Freeport Maine (Autowerkes) and their owner told me he worked on 107’s when they were new. He had two 450SL’s and one other 560SL in his shop when I dropped my car off - Good sign!

 

[rick]

The Mercedes dealer is rarely where you would want to take these older models to be worked on. Most will decline. The mechanics working in their shops were mostly in diapers when these cars were sold.

 

[miko1aj]

Once the covers are off you can check the chain for stretch, given our collective experience I can confirm with 99% confidence level that the chain will need replacing.

@cwmoser - Deming is still big today, his teachings are timeless. 👍

 

[Aussiemerc]

The tensioner is easy to replace. If the ticking doesn't stop you can explore further.

 

[cithot]

my ‘84 380sl has developed a noticeable ticking in the right front of the engine. From a forum search it appears that it imight be lifters or Timing chain guides. I figure if the mechanic is going to pull the valve covers I should probably have the Top guides replaced, new tensioner and cam Oiler installed as the car has 97k and has not been done. My question is how big a job is this cost wise and mechanic experience wise? Thanks for any help

Get it checked immediately. I had my 380SL serviced at the Mercedes dealership for it's 70,000 km check. They put in Mobil 1!!!!. There was a noise on cold start after that like the starter pinion wasn't disengaging. What it was the timing chain hitting on the rocker / tappet cover. It went away as soon as oil pressure built up and the tensioner tightened up the chain. The Mobil one was too thin and was draining out of the back-flow valve on the tensioner.
One morning BANG, the chain flew off and four exhaust valve met four pistons. The force was so great that the valve had to have both ends cut off to get them out of the heads.
Mark Farnham
New Zealand.

 

[MattL]

Get it checked immediately. I had my 380SL serviced at the Mercedes dealership for it's 70,000 km check. They put in Mobil 1!!!!. There was a noise on cold start after that like the starter pinion wasn't disengaging. What it was the timing chain hitting on the rocker / tappet cover. It went away as soon as oil pressure built up and the tensioner tightened up the chain. The Mobil one was too thin and was draining out of the back-flow valve on the tensioner.
One morning BANG, the chain flew off and four exhaust valve met four pistons. The force was so great that the valve had to have both ends cut off to get them out of the heads.
Mark Farnham
New Zealand.

Thanks for the advice. I’m taking it in within the next week and will not be driving it there. Sorry to hear about your motor.