I believe the chain on the 2.6 engine is quite short, and possibly less
stressed (if that makes sense!) and as a result it tends to last longer than
the V8 timing-chain.
I have a 260E, with the 2.6-litre six cylinder engine, and the chain in that
has never been changed and it has covered 162,000 miles. When it was
checked, the chain exhibited hardly any wear at all. It's a duplex chain,
but I seem to remember that that some early sixes were fitted with a
simplex, single-row chain, and these are more prone to failure and should be
changed for the duplex type.
I don't see any need to change the chain on the 260E, but I changed my 500SE
V8 chain at 120,000 miles, and it was worn enough to ratlle on start-up,
even though the car had been serviced by a main dealer since new, with
correct lubrication, etc.
Al Bolton, G4VSQ
1990 500SE
1988 260E FOR SALE
> There seems to be quite a bit of concern with timing chains on the V8
> engines but very little on the in line sixes.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Peter
> There seems to be quite a bit of concern with timing chains on the V8
> engines but very little on the in line sixes.
> I am curiuous what the recommendations are for renewal of the timing
> chains and associated components on the 190E 2.6 and the SL320.
I had a 190E 2,6 earlier and had some 350.000 miles with it without any
chain changes.
Inline 6 cylinder engines are not very prone to hazards with it.
Reg: Harri
Martin Joseph - 08 Feb 2005 07:29 GMT
>> There seems to be quite a bit of concern with timing chains on the V8
>> engines but very little on the in line sixes.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Inline 6 cylinder engines are not very prone to hazards with it.
WOW! You sure you didn't replace the engine somewhere in there.... :~)
Harri Markkula - 08 Feb 2005 12:24 GMT
>>> There seems to be quite a bit of concern with timing chains on the
>>> V8 engines but very little on the in line sixes.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> WOW! You sure you didn't replace the engine somewhere in there....
Yes. Quite positive ;-)
Number 1 cylinder bearing was the first part to break. Actually it had
over 500.000 kilometers and 350k miles was an estimate of that.
Reg: Harri
nn - 08 Feb 2005 20:10 GMT
The chains really last, 230 TE -90 540 000 km, valve cover never opened.
No rattles, no tappings, still runs perfect. -89 was the first year this
engine had no top problems and -91 it was discontinued :-(
Leif
>>>>There seems to be quite a bit of concern with timing chains on the
>>>>V8 engines but very little on the in line sixes.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Reg: Harri