350 SL Timing Chain Slack

[Mikesmerc]

Started my 350 last night and heard a loud clacking noise from the nearside cam cover at start up for a second. Took it off and found that the chain had been rubbing against the head nearest the centre of the engine.The tensioner guide seemed to have a good spring to it and the chain between the two heads seemed a little slack, normal?. My first thought is that the tensioner has had it, as I had the cams exposed I thought I would check the timing which turned out to be off on both cams, 4mm on one and 10mm on the other. Was going to order a new chain and tensioner until I thought about what had happened and wondered if it could have been caused by low oil level, so I checked this morning and found that the level had dropped to within 5mm of the bottom of the stick . Could this have been the problem as I cant tell until I put it all back together?. I will obviously correct the timing before reassembling.
Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[Myros]

level, pressure, who knows

what did your pressure gauge say about all this Mike? were you below min level on the stick? Have you been leaking/losing and not noticed?

 

[Mikesmerc]

Well Myros the thing is, I had the covers off when I thought about the oil level so i couldnt check it. The level is well below the min mark but I hadnt noticed the pressure dropping on the guage previous to this. I think the oil comsumption is due to worn valve seals. Dont fancy starting her again without topping her up with oil first. Must price up a new tensioner and chain, probably worth doing at this stage. Of course this has to happen during our 3 days of our hot summer

Thanks
Mike

 

[Myros]

I think it's

2litres from min to max on the stick, so put 2 in at least, probably 3 before you start up. Can't say about the tensioners, as I find it so scary I don't even want to think about it. You'd think they are pressure critical, rather than level critical, except when the level falls below min, when pressure will be affected. Ouch ouch ouch.
Good luck.

 

[Mikesmerc]

Just spoke to a friend in a engine overhaul shop that told me the oil level would have to be below the level of the dipstick to loose pressure especially at idle. He believes that the chain has stretched and a new one is reqd along with a new tensioner. Rang around locally and no one seems to have them in stock, not even the main dealer. Any good/qiuck supplier in the UK or Germany for that matter.?

I suppose I should try and top her up just to confirm if it makes any difference.
Thanks
Mike

 

[Myros]

loads of them

google on Euro car parts, german swedish and french, Dronsfields, Mercman, Speed autotiele (germany), and Daimler-chrysler (germany) themselves.
as well as your local stealership. (1st point of call, get the part numbers, makes life easier) also check-out sl107.com in the usa, they have lots of links.
There are huge bits of engine on e-bay, maybe that could be an alternative source, although I'd go new first myself.
If you draw ablank, the german 107 clubs also have lots of links to parts suppliers, but I think the generally better service from MB germany means that thay are used more.
keep us posted

 

[Mikesmerc]

Thanks Myros, will check it out tomorrow.

rgds
Mike

 

[Myros]

Mike, maybe of interest to you

http://sl107.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/2346035941/m/2341056651

 

[Mikesmerc]

Thanks Myros, usefull bits of info there. Have emailed Autoteile and am waiting for a price. You were right about part numbers, even the engine number wouldnt help, even though my local MB dealer gave me the part numbers in seconds based on the engine number.

Regards
Mike

 

[pascal]

Your dealer should be able to get it directy from germany for you.

Regarding a used one, I would say no.

Some years back I noticed a bit of a rattle in my 230e, I said to myself: 'must get that checked out this evening'. That afternoon, bang:twisted: . It ended up costing me over 1200 irish punts at the time.

 

[Myros]

there's another

http://213.239.220.84/start/index.phtml

these guys do all the bits as well. worth a comparison with Speed autotiele.

good luck Mike.

 

[Mikesmerc]

Had a look at that site before Myros, they dont seem so have the tensioner listed, but thanks all the same. Have ordered them from Autoteile, judging by the price of the chain from SLS there is nothing between them. Priced the exact same genuine parts from my main dealer Pascal and it works out 150euro cheaper with Autoteile and delivered(they say) within 3-4 days. Ordered parts from my main dealer before and it took weeks. Secoond hand timing chains or tensioners defeats the whole purpose for me
Will keep posting on my progess.
Thanks all
Mike

 

[Mikesmerc]

Got my genuine parts from Germany, posted yesterday afternoon, got em today at lunch time:mrgreen: . I just hope I get em in as fast. This wkend will tell.
Rgds
Mike