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

[Carl Hansen]

This problem is not caused by a worn cam chain.
There's no way a worn chain can cause that kind of damage. At 150,000 miles, 
no way.
That the engine has been running without oil for whatever reason.
No doubt about it.

Carl


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carl Hansen" <c.c.hansen at cogeco.ca>
To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 8:48 PM
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance note...



> 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

>> The MB Coupes Website!

>> W126 SEC Mailing List

>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

> The MB Coupes Website!

> W126 SEC Mailing List

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.