W211 E200 Timing Chain?

[bill_hugh]

Hi Guys,

My W211 E200 2003 with about 130,000 kilometres on the clock is in trouble.
The other day when I started it the engine was very uneven when idling and wouldn’t respond to the accelerator.
It settled down a bit and I tried to drive it to work but sometimes when I press the accelerator there was a very strange noise, which I can only describe as the noise you would hear if an electric motor was stuck. Kind of drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I turned back and brought to my mechanic. When I got there the engine was idling very rough and he said it must be a pipe which was buried (I think he mentioned an air intake pipe). Anyhow they dug that out and fixed it, but there are still problems. They phoned a Mercedes Service Centre and they said it was probably the timing chain.

They are going to strip it down to see if it’s the timing chain.

My question is: Is this the likely cause based on the symptoms?
Is it normal for a timing chain to go with that mileage?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks.

 

[television]

Hi Bill and welcome,, I cant see this as being a timing chain issue,,the are good for 150k miles on average and yours has only been 90k miles, and those symptoms do not some how fit the bill

 

[BlackC55]

If the timing chain was broken the engine won't run.

I think it is unlikly that the chain is at fault.

 

[jibcl500]

Has any work been done on the car prior to the problem, rough guess here but I think the air flow meter only because I had one in the other day and it was rough sounded like all the engine internals where smashing together, new MAF all good.

jib

 

[bill_hugh]

Thanks guys,

My mechanic phoned Mercedes main dealer and they told him the symptoms sounded like timing chain. They said most likely the chain a slipped a notch or something like that. Apparently according to Mercedes Main Dealer, its a very common problem with E200 (2003-2004).

Anyway, my mechanic has to strip down engine to see if it is actually the timing chain. He then has to put it back together and run it to make sure the valves are ok.

Does this make sense?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[roofless]

i might be wrong but if the timing marks line up it's ok

 

[television]

The chain and sprockets would have to be very worn to jump a tooth,,and it would not run at all

 

[jibcl500]

Also ask your mechanic if he understands how the chain tensioner is fitted because if it is fitted incorrectly then more damage will be done to the engine.

jib

 

[Ron Palfrey]

I can see this one coming..........another broken camshaft coming up.

But I hope not....perhaps Bill Hugh will listen. I hope so for his wallets sake.

 

[bill_hugh]

Also ask your mechanic if he understands how the chain tensioner is fitted because if it is fitted incorrectly then more damage will be done to the engine.

jib

Thanks jib, for the advice. I really appreciate it.
Is there something specific about the chain tensioner that I can tell him?

Bill

 

[television]

People fit new timing chains, and the tensioner must be taken out to do this, the tensioner must be removed and closed to its minimum position,,if not the camshaft will break.

Still say not the chain

 

[Ron Palfrey]

Good luck Bill, let us know the outcome please.

Ron

 

[bill_hugh]

Good luck Bill, let us know the outcome please.

Ron

Thanks Ron,

The cylinder head had to come off. The valves were damaged in 3 cylinders.
Its back from the machine shop now and its being put back together.

Bill

 

[carabind]

di they say what's caused it?

 

[bill_hugh]

di they say what's caused it?

The timing chain slipped a few notches. My mechanic showed me how the lines on the cogs should line up. They were way off. I was amazed at how light and flimsy the chain looked (although it’s the only one I have ever seen). He said that Mercedes always use a double chain but not in these 2003 models.

 

[television]

I cant believe that you do not have a duplex chain, for any chain to jump shows that the sprockets are too worn

 

[television]

It is a duplex chain

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.604&CT=M&cat=63R&SID=05&SGR=015&SGN=01

 

[bill_hugh]

I cant believe that you do not have a duplex chain, for any chain to jump shows that the sprockets are too worn

Please don’t say that. I hope not as the car is back together and should be ready today. It’s already cost me between €3000 and €4000.
Mercedes told my mechanic that this happens to all these 2003 W211 models. I can’t see any evidence of this on the web though.

 

[television]

Please don’t say that. I hope not as the car is back together and should be ready today. It’s already cost me between €3000 and €4000.
Mercedes told my mechanic that this happens to all these 2003 W211 models. I can’t see any evidence of this on the web though.

This has never come up before on a MB car made after the mid to late 80's.

 

[bill_hugh]

It is a duplex chain

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.604&CT=M&cat=63R&SID=05&SGR=015&SGN=01

Hi, which engine is that. My chain is not like that.

Bill