[Jumperjack]

Gentlemen,

I have a 1994 S600 (American style sedan - driverside on the left) that started smoking on me on the highway. It stalled and will not start, but the engine does crank. My dealer told me my timing chain snapped and the engine is shot (I had a 100k miles on it).

I have a couple of questions for you guys:

1.) Is the dealer lying to me? Is the engine still salvageable?

2.) I found a powertrain (engine, torque converter, & trans) from a 1992 600SE (EURO style sedan - driverside on the right) with only 10k miles. Will it fit into my 1994 S600 chassis? I know that the American style 1992 and 1994 600s use the same engine and transmission but I'm not sure about the European style compatibility. From the pictures I got, they look like they will fit.

I hope you guys can help.

Regards,
Fred

 

[bass1175]

Hey jumper! This can be true on some engine but not all engines. Your camshaft and crankshaft are both in sync and timed perfectly with the timing chain. Your camshaft pushes down on your intake and exhaust valves while your crankshaft controls the pistons. On a normal running engine the valves being pushed by the cam never touch the pistons because they are timed not to do so with the "timing chain". once your timing chain snaps off, the crankshaft will continue to turn pushing pistons up and down, during starting or running on your other bank ( 6 cylinders), while your camshaft is not spining at all, leaving the valves stuck in whatever position they were left in . This can cause the pistons during starting or running on the working bank, to slam against your valves damaging both the piston and valves.
The question is does this model have enough clearance. There was just another post by SCRAMYOU where his chain popped off and I would imagine he attempted to start the car. It would be worth asking him if he had internal damage. Or maybe someone can tell us form experience or specs if there is enough clearance. On most cars you can crank all you want without a timing chain and the worst that can happen is your car not starting. Heres an image i found online, notice how the valves can come so close to the pistons.

 

[bass1175]

If there is engine clearance then all you need to do is replace your timing chain, if there isnt, then you have to pull the head off and inspect for damage. Its usually only one or two cylnders and whatever valves that accompany that chamber. The rest of the valves will be frozen all the way up making them far away from the pistons. On an engine like this, with its rarety, I would not assume your engine is fully shot until proper inspection. we just need to know if there is enough valve clearance, then all you would need is a simple chain.

 

[JNLeChevet]

Will the "Euro" style engine fit? Yes - you already have the parts you need to convert on your old engine and they were in working order.

Is the engine "shot"? I would only consider swapping engines if the pistons have been damaged. This means a bottom end rebuild which requires removing the engine and lots of $$$$. Even then, it might be wise to consider a rebuilt or used engine. The only way to tell if the pistons are damaged is to use a borescope through the sparkplug holes and actually inspect the pistons - or pull the heads. Unless this has been done, consider repairing the engine. At most this involves a head rebuild (top end rebuild), chain kit, and maybe a sprocket or two.

Ask your mechanic to show you the piston damage with his borescope. No borescope - new mechanic.

 

[Merc600sec]

Before you do all that work.. did you take the front top covers off to see if the chain has indeed snaped..There are many other parts on your car that could fail that will stop it from firing up.. did you get any loud noises when it stoped.. Did the dealer plug a diag system into it.. do you have the readout..If not get him to do so..more information is needed before you try to do the HEART-SWAP.. And YES the trans and engine are exactly the same as the Euro version..

 

[Jumperjack]

Merc600sec,

This is what happened when my car stalled:
I drove it 50 miles to have my rear hydraulics shocks replaced. Before driving, I heard a slight ticking / knocking sound, which I thought were from my cats. After the shocks were replaced I drove on the highway, where my engine started smoking and the engine stalled. I coasted safely to the side of the road. I opened the hood and found engine oil all over my hood and engine. I towed it to the dealer and the dealer said the timing chain snapped and the chain cracked the aluminum cover, which caused the oil to spray out. The dealer did not give me a readout. At first, I thought it was the hydraulic pump for my shocks exploding from the recent replacement.

Merc600sec - 3/22/2005 2:25 PM

Before you do all that work.. did you take the front top covers off to see if the chain has indeed snaped..There are many other parts on your car that could fail that will stop it from firing up.. did you get any loud noises when it stoped.. Did the dealer plug a diag system into it.. do you have the readout..If not get him to do so..more information is needed before you try to do the HEART-SWAP.. And YES the trans and engine are exactly the same as the Euro version..

 

[Merc600sec]

Hmmm..can you see the hole?.. I think that IF you need a new engine.. our friend and fellow forum member ASIANBOND will have the very thing for you.. you do not need the trans.. the whole engineand box will have to come out in one peice...sperate them and the replace the engine .. then reinstall....

 

[Jumperjack]

Hah,

I already bought it from Asianbond off Ebay!

I'm trying to see if I can fix and then sell the old powertrain after I do the powertrain swap. Asianbond has only 10k miles on the powertrain.

 

[Merc600sec]

NICE WORK...
was it expensive?
do you have a digital camera..
are we going to get pics..
What other advice do you require...
Where are you going to do the HEART SWAP..
can we watch??
webcam??
MSN .AOL .
ALL THIS AND MORE.. WILL BE ONGOING...

 

[Jumperjack]

Merc600SEC,

I am having the heart swap done at the MB dealership, I really don't want my friendly mechanic down the street to do such a complex task on my favorite car. I also doubt they will allow me to take pictures at their shop.

Do you think the old engine is salvageable? I cannot see the hole, the oil seems to be leaking from the left side of the engine where the allen bolt for the tensioner is located.

Kind regards,
Jumperjack