C180 Kompressor (2006) - replace timing chain?

[mercedesc180a]

Hi all

I have a 2006 C180 Kompressor (1.8L engine) which has done 75,000 miles.

I have heard horror stories of the single timing chain (I believe this model has just one chain) stretching then breaking on this model sometimes, in the region of 70,000 - 120,000 miles, and causing damage to valves and engine that can cost £1,500 - £2,000 to sort, is this right? Is this rare? I am just wondering if it's recommended to pay to replace the timing chain now to prevent this happening.

1. How much would this cost? A mechanic friend said it could cost £600-£700 for the timing chain kit only excluding labour?? I have seen c180 "timing chain kits" online (ebay business sellers selling 'new') for anything from £180 - £400?
2. Does it have to be a Mercedes-made timing chain? Forgive my ignorance.
3. If a new chain was fitted could I expect it to last another 70,000 miles or so?

Don't really know much about mechanics etc so help appreciated. I don't want to spend £500+ unless it's worth it to prevent a "common" occurence that could cost 3 times as much, and that it WOULD be likely to last a long time...I'd rather pay now than worry about it happening in future as I hope to keep the car for a good few years doing 8-10k miles a year.

Thanks

 

[m11ler]

My dad did his himself wasn't easy . To do it properly you Have to take the cylinder head off and strip the engine down thats where most the cost is in the labour. You can source the chain kits from gsf or ecp or other parts places. I'm sure it never cost £600 tho. But maybe they included for gasket kit also. There is also a bottom chain which needs the sump off for access.
The chains do stretch a sign its happening or happened is the cam shaft sensor showing fault in diagnostic. On my dads car this had happened and wore the teeth down on the camshaft sprocket. Which is the reason he had to change it. The sprockets cost around £500 each. So best to keep on top of it .
I've added a couple of pictures.

 

[shorty]

The chain from MB is around €200 and the sprockets are about €700 each .

There is companys that now rebuild worn sprockets for about €500 .

If your car has only 75000 miles and the chain is not rattling on start up then theres a good chance that the sprockets are ok and only the chain will need changing .

The chain is relatively easy to change and no special cam locking kits are needed .

 

[BlackC55]

Don't forget to change the tensioner too.

 

[Dizzydog]

Having just had exactly this problem on a 2005 C180 Auto Kompressor with only 57,000 miles on the clock - which has cost be over £1,000, I would recommend doing a bit of preventative if you can. My problem was caused by the Crankshaft Sensor packing up, which in turn caused the Timing Chain to jump - causing a hell of a lot of damage, to valves, tappets, sprockets. Been told that Timing Chain jumping etc is a "known problem" on C180's & when it happens it certainly happens, lap of the Gods what damage it might cause. If you are going to change things then pay out and have the Crankhaft Sensor changed as well - it's a relatively cheap part - bearing in mind what can happen if/when it fails!

 

[Dober]

Hi! I have the same problem as yourself chain jumprd and broke volves, as I was told in garage. But its only after opening it. One day I just couldnot start my car. Question is does crankshaft sensor come up on computer pr it can happen just like that, as I never had problem before just drove home and after few days when my car wasnt driven I couldnot start it. I have c180 06 kompressor.