Cambelt or chain

[stevesmerc]

Hi
Apologies if this question has been asked before but does my 1997 C230 have a cambelt or chain?

Thanks
Steve

 

[doversole]

Welcome, Steve.

Chains only on Merc's you'll be pleased to hear - no cam belts to worry about.

DoverSole

 

[stevesmerc]

Thanks for that.
Does the camchain run at the front of the motor as there seems to be a rattle under the front cover on top of the engine till its warm.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome,, this is often the belt tensioner on the front of the engine,

Timing chains rattle for a few secs from a cold start when worn.

What is the mileage of the car

 

[stevesmerc]

174000 miles.

 

[television]

174000 miles.

Thats getting near the max on some cars,, when replacing the chain,, you can join the new one onto the end of the old one and pull it through and join up

 

[stevesmerc]

Hi Thanks for that. I will get the chain and tensioner looked at I am not really a diy-er when it comes to important engine work but have a friendly mechanic who hopefully will not charge too much.Thnks

steve

 

[television]

To be sure that it is the chain its worth slipping off the serpentine belt and trying when cold with it off, just to be sure it is the chain.

The other way is to remove the cover and set the engine up on the timing marks and see how far out the cams are

 

[television]

Hi Thanks for that. I will get the chain and tensioner looked at I am not really a diy-er when it comes to important engine work but have a friendly mechanic who hopefully will not charge too much.Thnks

steve

The tensioner must be removed and re set when doing any work on it

 

[stevesmerc]

Thanks I will try that tomorrow. I had thought it could be a worn water pump and I wiill lift the inspection cover to see what is going on.
Is there anywhere online that I could download a manual for these cars. Thank steve

 

[television]

There is a Haynes book that cover part of your car, bur nothing else out there.

You are always welcome to ask anything

 

[doversole]

The tensioner must be removed and re set when doing any work on it

Agree with Malcolm on all of this, Steve.

Also, it is just worth checking the engine oil level is OK.
I've known chains to be audible briefly on cold startup if the oil level is low, although they weren't MB's, I hasten to add.

DoverSole

 

[stevesmerc]

I do have another problem which you could probably help me on. For the last week my wiper has been stopping at about 3 o clock ( from inside) It didnt seem to be getting slower or stuck but seemed badly adjusted. I was going to lift the covers to inspect the mechanism and pushed the wiper to the central position( not sure why I did this!) now evry time I switch the wipers on it fuses . I have gone through about 6 - 40A fuses this weekend. Lucky it hasnt rained for a while!. Have I broken something? steve

 

[television]

Lets hope that the motor is not damaged,,

There is a good article in the DIY on lubricating this as it gets too tight, that should be the only problem

 

[stevesmerc]

Thanks.
As a newcomer to the MB forum I am amazed and grateful for the friendly and helpful responses to questions. And so quick!!
cheers Malcolm and Doversole

I will be back again

Thanks

Steve

 

[doversole]

Thanks.
As a newcomer to the MB forum I am amazed and grateful for the friendly and helpful responses to questions. And so quick!!
cheers Malcolm and Doversole

I will be back again

Thanks

Steve

Anytime, Steve.

As Malcolm says - let's hope it's not the motor. If you are unlucky enough to have burnt it out, the repair bill will knock your socks off!!

Top tip - remove the 'beetle shell' and grease it all up, sometimes you are fortunate and it's only the relay that needs to be replaced.
Regarding the manual, I believe the site link at the foot of Television's post has them for sale, it is in 3 parts. Interior, Exterior & Driving.

Your model is W202 - I'm (and many others) very familiar with them.

Fingers crossed for the wiper, DoverSole.