[W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance note...

[Josh Allen]

I just started thinking that this might be useful to share with you all.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hey_allen/sets/72157603726218117/

For those who would rather save a little money on timing chains, regular 
oil changes, or even the $15 worth of oil distribution clips on the 
cams, take a look.
This happened to the prior owner of this car, who was happily driving 
along on a surface street.  He said he started to hear a little rattle 
like his exhaust was bumping something, and from what I understood from 
him, about a block later the car stopped.
Pulling the oil fill cap revealed a dry cam with little flecks of gold 
colored bearing material dusted about.  Pulling the cover found the oil 
tube that was photographed alone.  Thinking that the oil fittings had 
failed, I started to plan repairs to the right side, but wanted to know 
the condition of the left while I was checking.

Pulling the left cover revealed the true wreckage that the prior owner 
had inflicted.
Apparently the timing skipped and allowed one of the rear pistons on the 
left side to meet the valves, punching up and breaking the cam bearings. 
When the cover started to clear the head, the remains of the front oil 
clip fell out, along with a section of the middle bearing journal, and a 
rocker.  Once the over was all the way off, there were found to be two 
more rockers off their seats, one wedged between the spring and the rear 
cam bearing block.

Currently this car is sitting, waiting on a replacement engine coming 
this way, at which point that engine (with new chain, tensioner, rails, 
and assorted other bits...) will be headed into the car to get it back 
to playing on the roads.

I can gladly say that I didn't do this, but I hope it can be a little 
warning to someone who might otherwise be a little tempted to let the 
chain maintenance slide 'just a little longer', and prevent heartache on 
their part!


-Josh