C220D Timing Chain tensioner failure unscrewed itself and dumped the oil.

[Richard Costen]

Hi Guys, Has anyone had this experience or heard of this happening before? Surely the tensioner is held in so tight with a high torque setting that it is installed to last the life time of the engine unless it requires changing or the chain stretched and requires replacement. Full service history. 85000 miles completed. Dealer is saying its not their fault. Ive had the car 13 months and done 15000 miles in it during that time. Suffice to say that the engine is goosed. Thanks in advance.

 

[star]

Never seen one completely unscrew itself, we have seen them leak oil due to being not tight enough. This makes a big mess of black oil everywhere and would be easily noticeable long before the tensioner/engine let go.

 

[Richard Costen]

Never seen one completely unscrew itself, we have seen them leak oil due to being not tight enough. This makes a big mess of black oil everywhere and would be easily noticeable long before the tensioner/engine let go.

Thank you for the quick response. It came out so far as to dump the oil in a few seconds along the motorway. Its a pity is did not show as a small leak as it would have been an easy fix and not a new engine.

 

[star]

I feel your pain, however the dealer couldn’t have foreseen that this part would loosened itself. Like you said, it should have been tightened for the life of the tensioner.

 

[brianbrian]

As said ,seen lots weeping or oil dripping,

 

[Wighty]

Hi Guys, Has anyone had this experience or heard of this happening before? Surely the tensioner is held in so tight with a high torque setting that it is installed to last the life time of the engine unless it requires changing or the chain stretched and requires replacement. Full service history. 85000 miles completed. Dealer is saying its not their fault. Ive had the car 13 months and done 15000 miles in it during that time. Suffice to say that the engine is goosed. Thanks in advance.

Do you think it was a replacement part that was done poorly before your ownership ?

 

[Richard Costen]

Do you think it was a replacement part that was done poorly before your ownership ?

Not too sure. But it should not have come out. One previous owner in NI.. So how did it get over here? Maybe the dealer bought it from that dealer as they are cheaper over there. Going to call the garage that serviced it through its life and see what has gone on with any engine work. Not holding out much hope though.

 

[Naraic]

Not too sure. But it should not have come out. One previous owner in NI.. So how did it get over here? Maybe the dealer bought it from that dealer as they are cheaper over there. Going to call the garage that serviced it through its life and see what has gone on with any engine work. Not holding out much hope though.

If anything they are more expensive over here.

 

[Uncle Benz]

There was a recall on some om651 for incorrectly tightened chain tensioner at build. Worth checking if yours is in the affected range. I reckon it will be. I've seen some loose ones that missed the recall. The oil does come out mighty fast!

 

[Uncle Benz]

https://car-recalls.co.uk/recall/mercedes-benz-c-class-oil-may-leak/

 

[Georgina Croucher]

Hi Richard,

I just wanted to ask the outcome for the above. My B Class Mercedes has just done the exact same thing! I’ve had no engine rattle, no warning lights, no oil leaks, no limping, nothing and then all of a sudden two weeks ago I had a message on the dash saying when next refuelling check oil levels, within seconds the exhaust has blown oil everywhere, engine smoking. I pulled in and oil was pouring out of the bottom of the car. It was towed to Mercedes and they have identified that the seal and tensioner have come away. It was recalled in 2015 and a new seal/o ring was fitted and I am now fighting with Mercedes as my whole engine is buggered! They have quoted me £17,000 for a 2014 B Class worth about £8,000. Mercedes have offered a mere £1,400 compensation.
Many thanks for any help!

 

[mattkh]

........we have seen them leak oil due to being not tight enough.

Whereabouts on the engine do I look for this leak?

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Hi Richard,

I just wanted to ask the outcome for the above. My B Class Mercedes has just done the exact same thing! I’ve had no engine rattle, no warning lights, no oil leaks, no limping, nothing and then all of a sudden two weeks ago I had a message on the dash saying when next refuelling check oil levels, within seconds the exhaust has blown oil everywhere, engine smoking. I pulled in and oil was pouring out of the bottom of the car. It was towed to Mercedes and they have identified that the seal and tensioner have come away. It was recalled in 2015 and a new seal/o ring was fitted and I am now fighting with Mercedes as my whole engine is buggered! They have quoted me £17,000 for a 2014 B Class worth about £8,000. Mercedes have offered a mere £1,400 compensation.
Many thanks for any help!

You would have to check that your vehicle was in the effected range. Mercedes would be able to check that for you against the VIN number of your vehicle. If its not in the affected range, IE, the modified seal was fitted at the factory on production line, then unfortunately, you have been the victim of a very rare mechanical failure, and as your vehicle is outside of warranty/goodwill parameters, the repair would be down to yourself to fund.

I have seen this fault on 651 engines a few times now, both in 2011 model year engines and up to 2014 model year engines. In fact we repaired one only last week.

A more cost effective solution might be to have your vehicle towed to an Independent Mercedes Specialists where the labour rates are considerably cheaper and where an alternative solution to repair the vehicle may be offered, something like obtaining a second hand engine and swapping into your car. It will still lighten your purse for £5k or so, but its a lot better than your dealer option, even with the contribution of £1400!

 

[john campbell]

sorry to jump in but is there a site where you can check your vin to see if there is any outstanding recalls as i called my local dealers and asked but they didnt really seem interested as my car hasnt seen a dealers for 50k now and if it needs them i would rather get things done. The car has been very well taken care of at any cost just not from the dealers.

 

[Uncle Benz]

sorry to jump in but is there a site where you can check your vin to see if there is any outstanding recalls as i called my local dealers and asked but they didnt really seem interested as my car hasnt seen a dealers for 50k now and if it needs them i would rather get things done. The car has been very well taken care of at any cost just not from the dealers.

See my post, #10 above

 

[ajlsl600]

Not too sure. But it should not have come out. One previous owner in NI.. So how did it get over here? Maybe the dealer bought it from that dealer as they are cheaper over there. Going to call the garage that serviced it through its life and see what has gone on with any engine work. Not holding out much hope though.

I would be very surprised if its origional.I think the issue may be lack of access to tighten replacement properly. Access to tighten my a class tensioner properly was a b

 

[Tony Dyson]

See my post, #10 above

I couldn't find a specific VIN check for the recall but the site published the following details which includes a series of VIN Numbers of inclusive vehicles of which mine is included, I have already sent an E Mail to my local dealership this morning requesting confirmation whether my car is affected and the work has been carried out?
And as if by magic, as I write a response landed... Faith restored!

MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS
More Details

Recall Launch Date 16/01/2015
Recall No R/2014/182
Make MERCEDES-BENZ
Model C-CLASS
Recall Model Information M Class SLK C Class E-Class CLS S Class CLA GLA A Class & B Class
Manufacturer Ref SRPC1500
VIN start WDC1569051J012374
VIN end WDD2462082J296467
Build start 01/02/2014
Build end 30/11/2014
Vehicle numbers 61672