M271 Timing Chain

[DITTRICH]

Out of interest, what mileage are m271 owners currently on. Given that it will have to be done at some point, at which mileage did you get yours done? And did the Engine Management Light come on first? I live in town and a euro 6 diesel doesn't appeal with lots of short journeys, as well as being up to £10k more in price than a 4 cylinder petrol. Thoughts appreciated. If a timing chain had been replaced, how would you know by looking at the engine itself - the head comes off for sure, but how can you work out if the parts on the invoice are really in the car?

 

[GP801]

We have two cars with the dreaded m271 engine. Currently at 65,000 and 45,000 so not quite at the danger point yet. I was talking to a well respected Indie about changing the timing chains just to be on the safe side. His advice was not to bother - they don't all go especially if oil changed regularly and you nearly always get a warning noise well before they actually fail. We shall see!

 

[slade1]

There are plenty of doom and gloom merchants.
My CLK has the M272, very few fail. Have been told the EML lights up and chain rattle.
Expensive fix around £2K

 

[190]

Mine is at 66,000 miles with no noise so far. I change the oil every 5000 miles and choose to use 5W40 which is at thicker end of the MB approved oils.

From the research I've done , timing chain wear is not a linear thing that equates to an exact mileage It depends on how aggressively the car is driven and on oil cleanliness.

 

[slade1]

Same here, the is service/MOT, about 4/5K per year with many short trips.
Had comments “motor very quiet”

 

[Tonygw]

I have the OM651 engine (Diesel not petrol) mine was rattling at start and is on 90K miles (replaced now). However the previous owner did Lots of short stop start journeys and I tihnk this was the reason it failed so early. Our local indy said he regularly serviced a 450Kmile taxi with the same engine and it was still on its original chain.
I know the M271 has a reputation but I think regular servicing and mechnical symapthy (ie not thrashing the enigne when cold etc!) will see it go on for many miles without problems. Thats my theory others may disagree..

 

[Gazwould]

Short stop start with stop start on must be a recipe of disaster .

 

[190]

That's a good point, stop start won't be good for the timing chain. Did cars with the M271 engine ever get stop start ?

 

[Stocious]

My M271 is on 170k going to take off cam cover soon to check