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

[Carl Hansen]

How many miles on this car?
Carl

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Josh Allen" <heyallen at null-ptr.net>
To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 5:35 PM
Subject: [W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance note...



>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

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