W124, Single & Double Timing Chain

[RGubbioli]

I was wondering what years and which engines in the W124 have the single chain as opposed to the double one?

Am I correct in understanding the single chain engines require more maintenance?

Thanks.

 

[television]

I was wondering what years and which engines in the W124 have the single chain as opposed to the double one?

Am I correct in understanding the single chain engines require more maintenance?

Thanks.

To the best of my knowledge all 124s have a duplex, this was something changed in 1986, thats the year that the 124 started in Sept.

There are mod kits for all cars that had a single like on the 116

 

[RGubbioli]

Are you positive? When I bought my 1993 200TE the guys said it was a good one because it had the duplex chain, but that makes it seem like the simplex could have been an option. I've also read in other places that the early w124s had simplex chains. I am just not sure of untill when.

Also, does this mean all W123s have the simplex engines too?

Does the above hold trye for 6cyl engines as well?

 

[television]

When I answered I did say to the best of my knowledge, there are 102 engines out there on a single chain, your car is a late one and a duplex at that.


Some one else will come on with some better info than me, I do know that any engines on a single could be converted to a duplex

 

[television]

If Bolide sees this thread, he will know.

 

[Robert Cox]

I had a 1986 W124 230E and it had a simplex chain. From what I heard, they changed to duplex in 1989 or 1990

 

[Seeker_UK]

2.3 and 2.6 are usually simplex, the 220, 280 and 320 are usually duplex. 3.0 and 2.0 depend on year of manufacture.

Just take off the oil filler cap and look inside - you can see whether it has one or two sets of links from there.

A simplex chain is more likely to snap than a duplex but they usually hget a bit loose before they go and you'll hear a loose chain at idle as well as at startup. Simplex chains don't require more maintenance because of this but, as you find the simplex chain in the older engines, they will tend to have shorter servicing intervals.

Dunno about conversions but replacing the chain with a new one should see your engine good for another 100K.

 

[jibcl500]

I thought Mb opted for the simplex over the duplex to reduce costs, then with many simplex chains breaking they went back to duplex.

jib

 

[Bolide]

AFAIK only very early 200s and perhaps 230s had the simplex chain

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk