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

[Alexander Hochhausl]

Point taken - checking the degree of stretch sounds like a good
measuring stick. All my cars use 10-40 in the winter 20-50 in the summer
& 3K mile intervals. Knock on wood, I've sold them all with between
150-180K miles. The only reason I've sold them is because the rest of
the car falls apart beyond what is worth repairing (suspension, rust,
etc), but the engines have never had any kind of internal failure .. And
dare I say they were all Fords! I plan on keeping the SEC will into the
200's if it will have me. 
 
Some fun with Fords. When I was 18 I bought a used car with 150K miles,
just for the 289 cu.in. motor. Pulled the motor, rebuilt it (bored,
reground bearings, etc) and dropped into a Mustang. Put 80K miles on it
& totaled the car (stupid young kid). Then I built another Mustang added
a Turbo (as if I needed more HP, 400+ by calculations) and another 40K
miles, with many week-end passes of 7K RPMs. That car was scrapped and
the motor now powers my boat for the last 3 years (sans the Turbo). The
motor is as old as I am, but certainly runs a lot better than me. 10-40,
20-50 and 3K oil changes & even a Ford can live forever (so far).
 
Thank You,
 
Alexander Hochhausl, PE
Tel: 516-909-3794
 
-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Steve Lemberg
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 8:59 PM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance
note...
 
I don't agree that the timing chain is only good for XXX miles or time.
I am aware of all the horror stories and I changed the chain on my car
at 150K miles and I found NO compelling issues.     The chain had
stretched about 4 degrees on the right cam and there was no wear on any
of the guide rails.   I used Valvoline 20-50 changed at 3-3500 until
about 90K miles and then switched to Mobil 1 15-50 at 6 to 7K changes.
The amount of stretch is related to how much wear the chain has and good
quality oil changed at recommended intervals is the best insurance in
long engine life.   
 
In retrospect I am sorry I changed my chain, I did it when I was closing
my shop and changed it on principal.   I have since formed the opinion
that chain stretch measurement every 20K miles or so is the best method
to determine when to change the chain.   I am rather confident that my
original chain would have been serviceable to 175-200K miles given the
wear and trend I noted at several inspections.   Removing the cam covers
and checking the chain, guides and oilers every 20K miles is rather
painless and offers a wealth of information on top end condition.   
 
Steve
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Alexander <mailto:plustech at optonline.net>  Hochhausl 
To: 'Mercedes <mailto:mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>  Coupes Mailing Lists' 
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance
note...
 
Thanks for the info.
 
Honestly though, I expect MB to build a motor that can go at least 100K
without "major" maintenance. I guess I am too much of a fanatic, but I
have never (knock on wood) had a motor or tranny issue under 180K miles
(based on MB & Ford experience). And I do run my motors pretty hard - I
don't 'race' them per say but they do see 6,000+ RPM on a regular basis
- putting local punks to shame! My 560 SEC currently is on 150K+ miles
and runs like a champ - god knows I may regret making that statement
tomorrow! Before the SEC I owned Mustangs, a Crown Victoria & Cougar,
and they all lived past 150K+. But none compare to the SEC wrt. Comfort
and performance (thanks to the Supercharger).
 
I do agree with Jonathan re. not being a case of just mile count.
Although some might say I abuse my motors (to a limited degree) I take
care of them very well, when they are resting:-) 
 
Be good all!
 
Thank You,
 
Alexander Hochhausl, PE
Tel: 516-909-3794
 
-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Camran Nassiri
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 5:39 PM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance
note...
 
I replaced my timimng chain and all the rest that goes with it (e.g.
tensioners) at 60,000 miles as per Jonathan's recommendation.  The
mechanic told me that it was loose and could have gone at anytime.  As
Jonathan put it, it's not always miles it has sometime to do with age.
My cost about $1,500
Camran
90 560SEC
91 420SEL 

Thanks,
Camran



> From: c.c.hansen at cogeco.ca

> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:26:04 -0500

> Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance

note...

> 

> The engine has been run without oil at one point to cause the initial 

> damage. Oil has obviously been added after the fact but the damage is 

> already done and later on the engine blows.

> It happened shortly after purchasing the car as I understand it,

correct?

> Carl

> 

> ----- Original Message ----- 

> From: "Josh Allen" <heyallen at null-ptr.net>

> To: "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 12:34 AM

> Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Timing chain and lubrication maintenance

note...

> 

> 

> > Carl Hansen wrote:

> >> 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

> >

> > Supposedly it had oil pressure indicated up to the point where the

engine 

> > quit, but it wouldn't be unheard of for the sender to have failed.

That 

> > having been said, it doesn't indicate any pressure with the key

turned on, 

> > now...

> >

> > I really don't know what happened to it, other than the apparent

impact 

> > between valve train and piston(s?) that punched out the left side

cam 

> > bearings. I haven't been motivated enough to drop the pan in place,

as 

> > I'll see what's down there when I go to install the replacement

engine.

> >

> > -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.




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