Timing chain and tensioner replacement

[MC220d]

Hi Everyone,


I had my car in for a B service and the mechanic said after the oil etc was changed he noticed a rattle when the engine started for a few seconds and then it went back to normal.

This happens on a cold start on my Mercedes c220d (80k mileage).

He recommended I get the timing chain and tensioner replaced at £720. (A bit steep having just done some other work done including service at £800)


I have read elsewhere that it may not need replacing if it only rattles for a few seconds on cold starts. Something to do with engine oil pressure?? Don’t really understand it

Any advice would be appreciated?

Ps anyone think Warranties are worth it?

Thanks

 

[CowleyStJames]

Change tensioner first, relatively easy job can be done with engine in situ. They are a bit of a weak point on these engines.
If noise still there, then chain can be changed once again with engine in situ. However, if the chain is badly worn then the chances are three sprockets will need replacing too.
The two camshaft sprockets are changeable with engine in place, but the third crank sprocket can only be changed with engine out.

 

[MC220d]

So would you say something needs doing otherwise I will have engine failure?

Can I get away with it for around a year or so?

Pricing wise, is the tensioner replacement cheaper than the chain replacement eg parts and labour? Or should I just get both replaced at the same time?


Sorry for the million questions but I really don’t know what to do as everything is so expensive

 

[Blobcat]

M271 engines can eat their cam sprockets unfortunately, so it would be worth getting them checked before deciding a course of action.
Putting a new chain and tensioner on worn sprockets isn’t a thing you want to do.

 

[ajlsl600]

Cover off look sprockets use flexicam to see bottom sprocket (maybe)

 

[star]

The 651 Diesel engine rarely wears the top sprockets, just changing the tensioner is a gamble as it may or may not cure the noise resulting in paying part of the labour twice.
Depending on the degree of rattle, if bad, it has a tendency to smash the top chain guides, resulting in plastic debri inside the engine.
£730 is a fair price if using genuine parts.

 

[MC220d]

Thank you

The rattle is only made on a cold start for literally a few seconds then it’s ok throughout the day after that.

I was told if it happens every time you start the engine then it’s time to replace?

 

[mattkh]

Two things.
1. What oil is in the engine currently?
2. With the likelihood of the car staying put for more than a day, set a stopwatch, get somebody to start the car while you put your ear to the engine and time how many seconds the rattle stays for.

A recording would be ideal.

 

[ajlsl600]

If yr hearing a rattle at start.change tensioner see if rattle stops.cheapest starting point. Go from there.
When sorted dont use stop ,start function.
Tensioners are mostly oil fed.if oil drains out (seal ring leak ) you hear rattle till oil pump gets oil in tensioner. .

 

[MC220d]

Just uploading a recording but video is too big. What’s the limit on this site or can I email anyone the recording?

 

[MC220d]

The rattle is for about 4-5 seconds only

The car was serviced at an indy in Manchester so not sure what oil they used

 

[Wighty]

Just uploading a recording but video is too big. What’s the limit on this site or can I email anyone the recording?

People normally advise putting the video on The Facetube and then putting a link up
(Wighty from Tier 4 )

 

[MC220d]

Hi,

Checked on this forum and the noise is pretty identical to this:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uMq9b4RiQ5PCLNy98

 

[MC220d]

The merc specialist said both the chain and tensioner needs replacing after he serviced the car (drained the oil) hence no oil pressure.

Can it be diagnosed just like that?

Is it a big job as in would it be cheaper just to change both at same time (save on labour)?

Last question, does the timing chain need to be replaced anyway considering the car has done 81k miles and the engine isn’t exactly quiet even when idling? I don’t know if it’s in my head but sometimes when I accelerate I could kind of hear a chain???

 

[CowleyStJames]

For info, we have a fleet of thirteen 65 and 69 plate sprinters.
Two of the 65 plate vans had their tensioners changed at around 170,000 miles due to noisy chain. They're fine after another 80,000 and the noise has never come back.
Mercedes tech that did the job on site, said the tensioner is a weak point on these engines around 100,000 onward.
Incidentally, the 69 plate vans, three have had replacement alternator already at around 69,000 miles and one has had a replacement water pump

 

[mattkh]

....... the car has done 81k miles and the engine isn’t exactly quiet /QUOTE]
Please confirm the engine code.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

80k miles can be a entail a lot of starts nowadays if Stop/Start has been in use (I always turn it off). I wouldn’t’ ignore the problem for a year simplex chains are unpredictable when worn and nowhere near as robust as duplex

 

[ajlsl600]

But they are cheaper to make,and will statistically make it past warranty.benz version of perfection,in our new world.grand enough now we all know build pts and quality of same are no better than ford. Its the illusion of quality that we buy now.and the perceived experience from the drivers seat.ie.it seems a nice place to spend a few hrs.
Personally I think my clk320 at 20 is still a nice place to spend a few hrs,and I know its unlikely to pull any unpleasant expensive surprises.

 

[steve gooding]

Bit the bullet and had my chain and tensioner replaced this week (2012 c220d).
It rattled on the odd occasion on cold start up, but hadn’t done its once before Xmas. Upon stripping it the mechanic said the chain was a bit slack across the top of the 2 cam pulleys, so either stretched or the tensioner not keeping it tight. Either way, had it done for peace of mind. Worth doing before any potential damage to the guides.

Cheers
Steve


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