M157 old style cam chain life.

[ALFAitalia]

As all you experts will know there were issues with the early cam/timing chain on the engines up to number 022333 (this seems to vary depending on source so Id like to knows the engine number if anyone knows for definite). And we know that a check valve, different tensioners as well as a new design of chain was used to cure the issue.
Old and new chain differences shown below...


But does this this mean certain failure is imminent if a owned an early chain engine or is it the case of most go on to live happy and long lives with a more frequent oil changing than stated by Mercedes. In the same way that if you read all the M156 head bolt, cam and follower stuff online you might not expect your M156 to make it to the end of the street!!!.....whereas in real life its a pretty rare failure....especially the head bolts.

So what I want to know is how many of you with early E63 212s or others with the M157 are completely original in the valve gear/drive department and how many miles you have now.....and if you did experience failure at what miles and did you have frequent fresh oil in it. And the worst case scenario......did anyone ever have one snap or slip??In other words should any potential buyer avoid them like the plague.....or is it all blown out of proportion. Obviously I'm interested in the info for my car search.....but in the future it could well be useful to others. I know there are many threads on the subject but unless I've missed it I've not seen one done as a sort of survey. Light blue touch paper....stand well back!

 

[st13phil]

I know there are many threads on the subject but unless I've missed it I've not seen one done as a sort of survey.

The M157 engine is much more common in the USA, so my guess is that trawling or posting on the more America-centric forums (MBWorld etc.) is likely to yield a more representative result.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I am a member there too....will try that.....

 

[jimjamiejames]

My car falls within the effected range but the previous owner must have had the work done because I have the new chain.

That said I would have bought the car anyway. If it's made it this far and still runs sweet why worry. My understanding is the old chain may be more prone to stretch rather that terminal failure. Id like to think you'd get some warning that it needs attention before it's likely to slip on the gear. I don't see any reason to increase oil changes in respect to the strength of the timing chain.

 

[badgx]

If it's of any comfort, I personally wouldn't be worrying about the chain unless it makes noise

If your purchasing a car from a garage, you can opt for an extended warranty if you wish or take a buddy with you who knows a little on mechanical side of things.

Like on any car the drive chain will slack by minutest amount due to wear and tear and only becomes an issue when it stretches too much. When that happens, that's when it starts making noise. Stretched chain can happen to any car and more so on higher mileage or high performance cars. The noise will come gradually though and not as a surprise. So only change it if need's changing. The superceded ones as you know are the solid chains instead of the split chain.

From what I see, AMG engines are really pleasant to work on and a chain replacement is actually not a difficult job to do and can be performed at home. If it were any other car like a Jaguar XK or XKR or even an Audi RS, I would walk away as I've seen how unpleasant they are in terms of access around the engine bay and requiring an engine lift.

 

[Petrol Pete]

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You have probably seen this already . But good info.

 

[Skd884]

M157 will make you Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

M156 for the win or newer 4.0tt which is no m156 but beats m157

 

[GVT]

M157 will make you Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

M156 for the win or newer 4.0tt which is no m156 but beats m157

yawn……

 

[Gbrowncls55]

As above this applies to the M278 4.7TT engine also. Mine has the new chain.

 

[f17ant]

If it's of any comfort, I personally wouldn't be worrying about the chain unless it makes noise

If your purchasing a car from a garage, you can opt for an extended warranty if you wish or take a buddy with you who knows a little on mechanical side of things.

Like on any car the drive chain will slack by minutest amount due to wear and tear and only becomes an issue when it stretches too much. When that happens, that's when it starts making noise. Stretched chain can happen to any car and more so on higher mileage or high performance cars. The noise will come gradually though and not as a surprise. So only change it if need's changing. The superceded ones as you know are the solid chains instead of the split chain.

From what I see, AMG engines are really pleasant to work on and a chain replacement is actually not a difficult job to do and can be performed at home. If it were any other car like a Jaguar XK or XKR or even an Audi RS, I would walk away as I've seen how unpleasant they are in terms of access around the engine bay and requiring an engine lift.

+1

I wouldn’t map the car with that chain

 

[jonboyE63]

My car falls within the effected range but the previous owner must have had the work done because I have the new chain.

That said I would have bought the car anyway. If it's made it this far and still runs sweet why worry. My understanding is the old chain may be more prone to stretch rather that terminal failure. Id like to think you'd get some warning that it needs attention before it's likely to slip on the gear. I don't see any reason to increase oil changes in respect to the strength of the timing chain.

Ditto, I have a 2012 M157 with the newer revised chain, couldn't find any history in the paperwork regarding the upgrade but assume a previous owner must've addressed it.
When I bought the car I wasn't really aware of the chain "issue" but was pleased to se the engine had the revised one fitted.
It's been 100% reliable & the map hasn't caused me or the car any issues.

 

[jonboyE63]

yawn……

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