I had a 1987 420SEC in New Zealand - done about 100,000kms. One day in 2006 on starting, one of the chain guides broke from age fatigue - not mileage related. That resulted in bending some valve stems in one cylinder bank. In retrospect we were lucky that that was all that happened - if it had happened at any speed we would have written off the engine. As Pierre says, CHECK THE CHAIN and all related components.
As a 500 SEC owner this is the kind of video guys like me love. Gang, please do not use anything other than the genuine Mercedes Benz tensioner and guide! NO aftermarket parts on this! The internet is littered with horror stories of non-Benz parts failing and nuking the engines.
Mr Hedary, thank you for your words about these engines. Having a m117 D-jetronic, 450se 1975, Mercedes have done properly all items you are talking about. But they just can't fix the idle correctly. They don't know about D-jetronic, even if that have already change so many parts. (injectors,wires, pressure test for many regulator, fuel pumps, every thing! Here is the real problem for me: no specialist mecanic for cars of this era in town.. Having also a SL320 1995, I always appreciate your point of view on all these enjoyable Mercedes we love to live with! Really, many thanks!
Good list, Pierre . I had all of those dealt with in on my 1979 W116 450 SEL by 150k. I would add one more - the right side cam -which happens to be furthest away from the oil sump pump (and especially because of those fragile lube tubes). If you hear a persistent tappet noise have it checked out immediately by a knowledgeable MB mechanic. I was alerted to this possibility by the guy that I had check out my car before buying it (the car had 75k on it at the time). And indeed the engine got noisy at 90k miles and I had a good MB shop check it out. They agreed (furthest/front most lobes were showing the wear.) and replaced the cam along with the oil lube kit, chain guides and tensioner. Chain was still good then. All in it cost 1200$ in 1995.
Thanks For all your help I love these old Mercedes I have a 1981 380 SL Not your favourite year. But I really like this car looks and runs great. It has started stumbling about 30% of the time when starting warm or cold Corrects it self within 30 seconds to 1 minute? Not sure what’s honing on possible full filter and pump? Any ideas. Thanks pat.
Great advice with two mb v8s I definitely need to check them even though one chain etc was replaced at 100000 miles now at 285000 it's due and making clinking noises at cold start. Thanks again.😇
Fabulous Pierre. How about a look at issues involved with the M103/M104 engines apart from the obvious head gasket problems. The short motors seem capable of very high mileages.
The chain and tensioner never really go bad on M103 or M104 engines. Only issues are they burn oil because of bad valve stem seals, leak from headgasket or rear main seal. Front timing cover is known to leak. Always important to check for engine blowby on them. He already covered the oil pan drain plug which is usually stripped out because people use the wrong tool and torque.
@@MrRjnr The V8's need timing chain service much before the L6 engines for sure. You also must remember that changing oil on time, using synthetic proper oil increases the longevity of the chain. Best way to check is to get to TDC and check markings with the valve cover off. The starting 'timing chain noise' is an indication it needs to get done ASAP.
Let's support this awsome guy ! You see that yawn ? That's from being A new dad one heck of buisness owner and operator and the curator of the best damn channel on youtube. I have a special place on my heart for this engine my Granpa put one in a Minneapolis moline tractor that was under powered and turned it into one awsome machine !
I have a 78 450SL with 92k miles that developed knocking only when it is warm and only in idle. Checked all the things you discussed here. All good and replaced. Runs smooth and the knock goes away out of idle speed. Thoughts?
Hi, I had big problem, owner of 1972 W109 dont know that he has 3.5 or 4.5 engine.. VIN says that M116.981 but he talks M117.981 How can I takes that diference by eye..?
Thank you for providing such great informative support to all the Mercedes owners. We appreciate your help. Thank you twice
Thanks!
I had a 1987 420SEC in New Zealand - done about 100,000kms. One day in 2006 on starting, one of the chain guides broke from age fatigue - not mileage related. That resulted in bending some valve stems in one cylinder bank. In retrospect we were lucky that that was all that happened - if it had happened at any speed we would have written off the engine. As Pierre says, CHECK THE CHAIN and all related components.
Succinct and valuable. Thank you.
As a 500 SEC owner this is the kind of video guys like me love.
Gang, please do not use anything other than the genuine Mercedes Benz tensioner and guide! NO aftermarket parts on this! The internet is littered with horror stories of non-Benz parts failing and nuking the engines.
Great advice!!!
Thank you Pierre!
Also watch out for the plastic cam oiler tubes
Mr Hedary, thank you for your words about these engines. Having a m117 D-jetronic, 450se 1975, Mercedes have done properly all items you are talking about. But they just can't fix the idle correctly. They don't know about D-jetronic, even if that have already change so many parts. (injectors,wires, pressure test for many regulator, fuel pumps, every thing!
Here is the real problem for me: no specialist mecanic for cars of this era in town.. Having also a SL320 1995, I always appreciate your point of view on all these enjoyable Mercedes we love to live with! Really, many thanks!
Good list, Pierre . I had all of those dealt with in on my 1979 W116 450 SEL by 150k. I would add one more - the right side cam -which happens to be furthest away from the oil sump pump (and especially because of those fragile lube tubes). If you hear a persistent tappet noise have it checked out immediately by a knowledgeable MB mechanic. I was alerted to this possibility by the guy that I had check out my car before buying it (the car had 75k on it at the time). And indeed the engine got noisy at 90k miles and I had a good MB shop check it out. They agreed (furthest/front most lobes were showing the wear.) and replaced the cam along with the oil lube kit, chain guides and tensioner. Chain was still good then. All in it cost 1200$ in 1995.
Where can I find full spec how to change timming chain?
Thanks For all your help
I love these old Mercedes
I have a 1981 380 SL
Not your favourite year. But I really like this car looks and runs great.
It has started stumbling about 30% of the time when starting warm or cold
Corrects it self within 30 seconds to 1 minute?
Not sure what’s honing on possible full filter and pump?
Any ideas.
Thanks pat.
Good job
Great advice with two mb v8s I definitely need to check them even though one chain etc was replaced at 100000 miles now at 285000 it's due and making clinking noises at cold start. Thanks again.😇
Fabulous Pierre. How about a look at issues involved with the M103/M104 engines apart from the obvious head gasket problems. The short motors seem capable of very high mileages.
The chain and tensioner never really go bad on M103 or M104 engines. Only issues are they burn oil because of bad valve stem seals, leak from headgasket or rear main seal. Front timing cover is known to leak. Always important to check for engine blowby on them. He already covered the oil pan drain plug which is usually stripped out because people use the wrong tool and torque.
@@cromanczuk so on the M103 at least, a 100k mile car may not necessarily need chain replacement like the V8 cars?
@@MrRjnr The V8's need timing chain service much before the L6 engines for sure. You also must remember that changing oil on time, using synthetic proper oil increases the longevity of the chain. Best way to check is to get to TDC and check markings with the valve cover off. The starting 'timing chain noise' is an indication it needs to get done ASAP.
@@cromanczuk ok thx alot!
Somebody and anybody, I need the timing Chain guide rail upgrade replacement, I can't find the green pectin plastic version
Is there a 500SEL with a M116 engine?
Let's support this awsome guy ! You see that yawn ? That's from being A new dad one heck of buisness owner and operator and the curator of the best damn channel on youtube. I have a special place on my heart for this engine my Granpa put one in a Minneapolis moline tractor that was under powered and turned it into one awsome machine !
what are the symptoms of a jumped chain?
The plastic/ nylon oil duct connectors on top of the camshaft
Just looked at my aging fuel lines, time to replace, can’t find replacements(560SEC). Anybody have a source?
I have a 78 450SL with 92k miles that developed knocking only when it is warm and only in idle. Checked all the things you discussed here. All good and replaced. Runs smooth and the knock goes away out of idle speed. Thoughts?
Hi, I had big problem, owner of 1972 W109 dont know that he has 3.5 or 4.5 engine.. VIN says that M116.981 but he talks M117.981
How can I takes that diference by eye..?
Great content!!! What are your thoughts in 116 engine just changing tensioner as preventive mantainance?
Bought a 280SE 3.5 Coupé two years ago, with fire damage due to aged injector hoses.
0:58
me avoiding measuring timing stretch *thisisfine.jpg*
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