M271 stretched chain w211 e200 2004

[dermot dublin]

Hi everyone, my w211 after a few cold lumpy start-ups this week finally stopped starting, investigated got code p0010 camshaft sensor, had a look around here and deceided to whip off the rocker cover , the timing marks on the sprokets were off,
Is this terminal for the engine?
I had to crank the engine around to get the timing marks to the top of the engine, felt a bit of resistance twice on the way around
Have I messed up valves by hand cranking?
Can I simply thread thro a new chain and get it all lined up and be good to go?

 

[LostKiwi]

Normal for resistance when turning by hand as you compress the air in the cylinders on the compression stroke.
You should be OK to replace the chain but to do it properly replace the sprockets as well unless they're not worn (frankly I'd just change them).

 

[dermot dublin]

 

[dermot dublin]

Are the sprockets expensive,easy to install,and would i need any special tools?

 

[Wighty]

Are the sprockets expensive,easy to install,and would i need any special tools?

Give a company called M271 a call , they are a supplier of the parts for some of the 271 engines

 

[alexanderfoti]

From MB quite expensive. They are not too difficult to install, but you will need to know how to time and engine and also sort the cam adjusters out.

 

[dermot dublin]

Had a good look at the sprockets -they seem to be ok, no damage to the teeth and they sit good on the old chain, maybe just fish a new chain thro and get the timing marks lined up,and check tdc with a plastic straw in cylinder no 1
Also take out the tensioner before fishing chain then fit a new tensioner on the new chain?

 

[alexanderfoti]

False economy not to change the sprockets. They always wear.

 

[Diddles]

I'm currently repairing my car for the same problem. Mine bent all the intake valves and damaged the pistons. Mine was only 1 tooth retarded on the exhaust cam and 2 teeth advanced on the intake. Yours also seems to be about 3 teeth out, hopes yours hasn't damaged anything.

This is how mine looked at tdc.

 

[dermot dublin]

I'm currently repairing my car for the same problem. Mine bent all the intake valves and damaged the pistons. Mine was only 1 tooth retarded on the exhaust cam and 2 teeth advanced on the intake. Yours also seems to be about 3 teeth out, hopes yours hasn't damaged anything.

This is how mine looked at tdc.

View attachment 42682

Car is now with my trusted Indy, he had a look and reckons the best approach is to install new timing chain kit then do a compression test to check for bent valves when he has correctly set the timing,
This will cost €500 , he's said he has done hundreds of these engined in the past and had quite a few successes, but of course no guarantee it will work either, so fingers crossed on this one.
He reckons it skipped one tooth on each of the sprockets as I told him when I took the rocker cover off and lightly touched the chain in the middle part between the two sprockets that the chain jumped on the right hand sprocket (inlet?)
He seems confident
How much more work would it be then to replace a valve or all of them now?

 

[LostKiwi]

How much more work would it be then to replace a valve or all of them now?

Head needs to come off, camshafts out.
You could easily double your existing bill just from labour.

 

[Diddles]

Hopefully yours will be ok, they dont normally bend valves but in my case they did and slightly damaged the pistons.

Ideally I need new pistons but im risking it with new valves, chain, tensioner and new sprockets.

Fingers crossed yours will be fine, but a quick compression test and or leak down test will confirm for sure.

 

[dermot dublin]

As we say in Dublin,
"Ahh Jasus"

 

[Diddles]

What mileage is it at?

 

[dermot dublin]

124,000 miles
Rough start up from cold which evened out after about 1 min then drove fine , then no start after on the 3rd day

 

[Diddles]

It's done well to get that far, mine is on 85,000. Started misfiring then the next day went to crank and it wouldn't start.

 

[dermot dublin]

Warning to all m271 engine owners, get the timing chain done, at 80,000 if you plan to keep your car

 

[Diddles]

I've seen them go as low a 60,000, ,so they need to be checked at a 60,000 miles service really. Pretty poor really, stupid push bike chain.

 

[LostKiwi]

Single chains were put in as a cost saver. Earlier engines used a double one.
Sadly a sign of the times.

 

[dermot dublin]

I knew it was risky buying a pre facelift w211 because of the sbc brakes but saw this one had the mb recall done so thought I found a good one - i did check here on the forum about the chain but most said if no rattle don't bother