Timing chain

Hutchie

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Hi

I'm looking at purchasing a 2002 C180 coupe - I believe this is a CL203?

It has around 70,000 miles on the clock and I've read about timing chain replacements are advised around this time - however most of the things I have read are in relation to the W203. Is the timing chain an issue with the CL203 also? Is the CL203 essentially a W203 with a different "top" on it?

Has anyone changed the timing chain on this model and have a ball park idea of cost - I know it will depend on area, garage independent etc. but just a rough idea would be good.

Is there anything else that is worth keeping an eye out on this model? If they are essentially a W203 then no need to list them out as there is loads of info on them - I just couldn't find anything specific to the CL203.

Thanks in advance!
 

LostKiwi

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The issues are generic to the M271 engine family (which this is) so affects multiple cars.

That said, there is no recommended replacement schedule for the chain (the real issue is not the chain but the timing sprockets the chain runs on). In general if you do a visual inspection of the sprockets (cam cover removal required) you can see if there is a issue. If the sprockets are ok then no further work is usually required.
Always listen to the engine on first start if the day. If it sounds like a bag of bolts in a tumble drier on that first start it requires inspection. If not it's probably ok.

Many of these engines run well past 100k miles without issue.
 
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Hutchie

Hutchie

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Thanks for your quick reply, so the easiest way to check on looking the car over is to listen out for issues on start up as I'm guessing getting in to do a visual inspection is most of the time it takes to replace the sprocket?
 

LostKiwi

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Thanks for your quick reply, so the easiest way to check on looking the car over is to listen out for issues on start up as I'm guessing getting in to do a visual inspection is most of the time it takes to replace the sprocket?
Yes listening to the first cold start of the day is the quick way (but not 100% reliable). If it's noisy it's needing doing, if it's not noisy it just means it doesn't need doing right now.
 
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Great stuff thanks for the info.
 

ernieh

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Didn't the M271 engine not come in a bit later than the OP's car (2002). If that is the case, his will have a Duplex chain which, with normal servicing, should go on forever. My advice would be to check the engine number before you start worrying youself sick or pulling anything apart!

Ernie
 

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If you can get the VIN number you can check exactly what engine it has fitted.
 

LostKiwi

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Didn't the M271 engine not come in a bit later than the OP's car (2002). If that is the case, his will have a Duplex chain which, with normal servicing, should go on forever. My advice would be to check the engine number before you start worrying youself sick or pulling anything apart!

Ernie
Pretty sure the w203 and it's variants used the M271 except the base C180 (non kompressor) which retained the M111.
 
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Hutchie

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I think it is this engine:


1,998 cc (122 cu in) 16V I4 (M111 E 20 EVO) 129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp)@5500, 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft)@4000

No idea what that means in terms of the timing chain! I think what I've learnt is keep an ear out and don't go poking about unless it gets noisy!

Thanks for the replies, all!
 

LostKiwi

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That's a normally aspirated engine.
I'm almost certain it's the M271 as there was no M111 180 Kompressor engine AFAIK. The CL180 Kompressor was introduced for the 2003 model year so a 2002 one will be a very early one.

For reference the M111 used a double row (duplex) timing chain. The M271 is a development of the M111 but they switched to a single row (simplex) timing chain.
 
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Hutchie

Hutchie

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I found out the vin and it looks like it was a late 2001 build. It is showing as a M - engine: 111951 111.951 M111 E20 EVO so I'm guessing it's the duplex version. It's the non kompressor version
 

LostKiwi

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I found out the vin and it looks like it was a late 2001 build. It is showing as a M - engine: 111951 111.951 M111 E20 EVO so I'm guessing it's the duplex version. It's the non kompressor version
Definitely non kompressor. Also an M111 so no timing chain concerns.
The only occasional issue on the valve gear on those is a small spring in the variator (part of cam timing) which breaks. Doesn't cause any issues other than a rattle as the engine passes through 2500rpm and it can turn on the engine management light. It's a pennies part that takes hours to change.
 
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mrmb

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There was also M111 kompressor wngines in W203 family :) there was C200 Kompressor and C230 Kompressor is well if I am not wrong
 

LostKiwi

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There was also M111 kompressor wngines in W203 family :) there was C200 Kompressor and C230 Kompressor is well if I am not wrong
Yep 2002 was the changeover year to m271 (I did some checking and learnt something new :))
 

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