I decided to check my timing this weekend between camshaft drive gears and the crank. After 427,000 miles, figured checking the original chain for stretch would be a good idea. 
I was able to get in and align the drive gears to check how advanced the crank was from TDC. theres a small plate covering the gears and sprocket slightly above the HPFP. Here's a video on how i did that:
I calculated how far the engine is out of time, its about 15 degrees. (The HB TDC mark is about an inch from the TDC mark on the timing cover.
15 degrees is pretty significant, so i'm going to end up changing the chain and guides here soon, ill do a full writeup on that for you guys. The job should be much easier than the older IDI Mercedes diesels, as all the guides are easily accessible when the timing cover is off. As some of you know, there is only ONE sprocket going to the camshafts, the second camshaft is gear driven from the first, and there is no noticeable wear on either the sprocket or gears.
I know my engine has quite a few more miles than almost everyone else on this forum, but i would still recommend checking the timing for anyone over 200k miles.
I was able to get in and align the drive gears to check how advanced the crank was from TDC. theres a small plate covering the gears and sprocket slightly above the HPFP. Here's a video on how i did that:
I calculated how far the engine is out of time, its about 15 degrees. (The HB TDC mark is about an inch from the TDC mark on the timing cover.
15 degrees is pretty significant, so i'm going to end up changing the chain and guides here soon, ill do a full writeup on that for you guys. The job should be much easier than the older IDI Mercedes diesels, as all the guides are easily accessible when the timing cover is off. As some of you know, there is only ONE sprocket going to the camshafts, the second camshaft is gear driven from the first, and there is no noticeable wear on either the sprocket or gears.
I know my engine has quite a few more miles than almost everyone else on this forum, but i would still recommend checking the timing for anyone over 200k miles.
