Timing Chain noise W202 C180 160K miles

[EdGasket]

Is it a particular water pump I have to get that takes the viscuous fan or are they all the same? I notice some other W202s don't have the viscous fan.

 

[LostKiwi]

Its the one for the C180 M111 engine. Aside from that should be all the same as far as I'm aware.
Give MB Grangemouth a call and they can ensure you get the right one (and you get a genuine MB pump at a discount).

 

[EdGasket]

Yes I think I had better order a pump.

Do you know if I have to take the fan off? Looks like I could just undo the four bolts that secure the pulley/fan to the front of the water pump and remove the pulley and fan combined without having to remove the viscous fan itself.

 

[LostKiwi]

Yes I think I had better order a pump.

Do you know if I have to take the fan off? Looks like I could just undo the four bolts that secure the pulley/fan to the front of the water pump and remove the pulley and fan combined without having to remove the viscous fan itself.

Yes that should work (not having done it but having looked at pictures of the assembly).

 

[EdGasket]

Thinking about it there might not be enough forward clearance for the pulley to clear its water pump mounting before the fan hits the rad.

 

[Parisien]

On seeing this thread, I thought I might ask if theres a recommended replacement period of the timing chain in both 1.8 and 2.0L C class engines or any other advice or things to look out for, one is a 96MY the 2.0L 98MY.

P

 

[LostKiwi]

The quick answer is when they get noisy.
I had a 212k mile m111 that was still fine.

 

[Parisien]

Thanks, more noticeable on cold start up or when accelerating?

 

[EdGasket]

I'd say that as its a duplex timing chain, with regular oil changes it should last the life of the car. Also by the time it is wearing out, the car will probably be too old to be worth the expense of changing the timing gear. I understand that just to replace the plastic chain guides involves removing the cylinder head! Add to that the cost of chain, cogs and a gasket set and you may as well just run the car into the ground unless you are in love with it and like chucking money at it. I don't think changing the chain on these cars is necessary or worthwhile.

That's why I was surprised to hear what sounded like chain noise; but seems it's actually the water pump. Will confirm when I've changed it out.

 

[jonc78]

I have changed the water pump on w202, not to difficult to do. It was making the 'gravelly' noise you describe before I changed it. I didn't need to remove the fan or anything else. One thing to bear in mind is that most of the bolts (and there is a fair few of them) are different lengths, so you need to record their location when you take them out.

 

[EdGasket]

Yes it was the water pump; bearing had gone.

Got it changed but it took all day due to the viscous fan not wanting to come undone from the water pump. I had to fabricate a tool to bolt to the pulley to hold it and even that was bending as I was trying to loosen the fan nut. Why couldn't MB have made a couple of flats on the pulley casting to hold it with !!! The highlight was getting the chance to use some blue Hylomar again (as used on Rolls Royce) on the water pump gasket.

jonc78 - Maybe your W202 is different? On mine the viscous fan is bolted directly to the water pump so there is no way you can change the water pump without removing the fan; unless you buy a new fan that is.

 

[LostKiwi]

Good result then in the end!