C250TD - what to look for at high mileage? Timing chain replacement interval?

[frstep]

Considering a highish mileage 1998 car. With 180k on it, what things are worth looking at that might be on their way out at this age and mileage? I'm thinking that some stuff will have been done in the past. Obvious things like dead dampers, expiring wheeling bearings and the like I can hopefully spot. But what about drivetrain?

And what is the normal life of the timing chain?

Thanks,

F.

 

[shaungriff]

i think the way the car has been maintained is more important than the mileage. if its been properly looked after that mileage is nothing.as with any diesel stand behind the car & watch the exhaust whilst someone starts it from cold... any blue smoke i would forget it.they do cover mileage well.. i know of a 5 cyl diesel sprinter thats done over 700k miles although the engine was changed around 550k miles. good luck, shaun

 

[KentishMan]

My 98 250td sport est still going strong!

My car now done 162k & going well without probs
Recently fitted new cat & exhaust system, last year new air compressor, otherwise no costs other than services.
Now for sale as for business reasons just bought 04 C270 est & will be sorry to see it go!
J

 

[frstep]

How much?

Kentish Man, I've sent you an email. I'm interested as to how much you are selling your car for.

Thread: So at what point do most people have to change timing chains? Do they give a warning rattle to let you know they are on the way out?

F.

 

[Stevie A]

Timing chain will rattle on start up if on way out + will rattle all the time when really bad according to what I've read. Don't worry about it though as I have only read about 2 posts with people with snapped chains and one was because someone had overtightened it.
Injectors seem to be the thing on diesels that often need replaced and they are quite expensive.

 

[niva441]

The only unusual thing my C250TD needed replacing after 217k miles was the engine fan. It wasn't broken, but the engine started running slightly warm in hot weather. Other than that a suspension balljoint.