Snapped timing chain - SLK 230K

[Deborah]

There's been lots of good sense talked in this thread

One thing I would add that may help your decision: the cost of repairing what's there is an unknown and is likely to rise during the process of repair, whereas the cost of a replacement engine plus fitting should be pretty much fixed at the outset

This factor alone may help you decide which way to go

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

There has and I'm very grateful to everyone for their input. I think I'm going to bury my head in a bottle of wine now and see if the decision becomes any clearer.

Thanks everyone!!

Deborah

 

[beacham]

im with televion on this one, i havent worked on this engine but gather its a four pot? cam cover off and you will know if chain is broken, and is it really 6 hours on this engine to get head off ? that must be one complicated engine

 

[Deborah]

this is the first time i have heard of a timing chain snapping on a merc with this mileage... I would get someone trustworthy to look at it.. how far are you from Ian Walker or Olly?

I don't know!

Who are they?

I'm based in Kent

 

[Deborah]

im with televion on this one, i havent worked on this engine but gather its a four pot? cam cover off and you will know if chain is broken, and is it really 6 hours on this engine to get head off ? that must be one complicated engine

That's what they told me and having no experience of this sort of thing I'm kind of in their hands a bit that's why I thought I'd ask you chaps for some advice

 

[television]

Its not right that they should just guess at whats wrong, its the worst that I have ever heard, I find it interesting that they can offer £1k for your old engine that is apparently scrap, I bet one of the engineers want it for them self, no proper MB garage would want the old engine as its scrap, or that is what you have been told

 

[jamesmc]

That's what they told me and having no experience of this sort of thing I'm kind of in their hands a bit that's why I thought I'd ask you chaps for some advice

...... and you have done the right thing. The debate is going on but, out of all this, you will get guidance and the good advice you seek.

My 2 pence worth.....
I would go for getting a good Indie to pull the cam cover off (not expensive) and have a nose at the area of concern to confirm the 'guess' made earlier.
Actually any mechanic could do that for you. If it looks terminal (chain broken.. cam sprocket snapped off.... aka bits of shrapnel potentially distributed elsewhere in your existing engine) then save yourself a lot of possible future grief and go down the spare engine, with lower mileage, route and sleep easier at night.

 

[beacham]

thats good advice by jamesmc

 

[nick mercedes]

I know, I know!!! That's why it's such a mine field. If the car were younger then the economics of all this may make more sense. I'm guessing that a second-hand engine with fewer miles will be a better option than opening Pandora's box!!!

Having said that most engines I've found aren't complete so I'll have to pay for bits to removed from my engine and put on the "new" one e.g alternator, wiring loom which racks up the cost again ........ !!!

Almost any engine you find will lack the alternator, ps pump, supercharger and ac compressor.

They're all sold like that.

 

[nick mercedes]

Its not right that they should just guess at whats wrong, its the worst that I have ever heard, I find it interesting that they can offer £1k for your old engine that is apparently scrap, I bet one of the engineers want it for them self, no proper MB garage would want the old engine as its scrap, or that is what you have been told

That's just the exchange value, they'll recon it and send it back out again.

 

[big x]

this is the first time i have heard of a timing chain snapping on a merc with this mileage... I would get someone trustworthy to look at it.. how far are you from Ian Walker or Olly?

I agree, I can't recall anyone having this problem particularly with an automatic which in general puts less strain on the drive train.
I've seen a C200 with 230k up and no problems.

adam

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have had a 230K coupe with 27000 miles (27k ) on the clock with blown valves, so anything is possible. In so far as damage is concerned I would be very surprised if it was terminal. Possibly a couple of valves bent. At the speed you were doing (30mph) it is unlikely that the pistons have been holed. I speak from experience with a similar problem on my wifes car. Chain snapped at 30 ish mph, two valves and a bill for £650. I was paid in kind though

 

[c240yaz]

Deborah, It may be be cheaper to get an independent local mechanic to have a look at your engine, and get a quotation, rather than MB.

 

[iamamanc]

Hi
I have been led to believe that when a timing chain snaps it's normally down to something else such as a vacuum pump dropping in bits and getting caught up in the gubbings.
That said I would have a good reputable Indie have a look at it and then make a decision while he has the engine in bits in his garage with the bonnet up. A Merc Indie should be able to source a recon or used engine without many problems.

Cheers
Adrian

 

[JC180]

There is a complete 230K engine on ebay having apparently only done 45k!

99p at the moment.

Worth a punt!

 

[Glenn Smith]

Hiya!

No I haven't - apparently you can't see anything until the head is off and that will cost me 6 hours labour which may be a complete waste if the engine is completely wrecked!

Workshop time for a head gasket change on this model is 7.6hrs, and you can see if the chain is broken by taking the valve cover off.

 

[kth286]

Guys

I do not think we have been told what garage the car is at ?????????

although we have asked.

Wonder why that is ???????????????

If we knew, then I am sure a quiet word with the chief man at the garage from one of the experts on the forum (Malcolm ?) would gather pertinent info that would be helpful in taking this forward in a constructive manner. (with permission from Deborah of course)

 

[c240yaz]

There is a complete 230K engine on ebay having apparently only done 45k!

99p at the moment.

Worth a punt!

This is a great find and possibly the best solution so far.

 

[Deborah]

There is no sinister reason as to why I haven't said where the car is - just didn't think it was relevant at the time but if someone were to have a word with them on my behalf that would be great. It's with BMW & Mercedes Car Services on Rushmore Hill in Pratts Bottom (no comments please) in Kent. Their phone number is 01959 533359. Please speak to Jamie.

The £3k quote with £1k back for my old engine came from the MB garage where I had it serviced in July. They are part of Mercedes Benz London and are based on Sevenoaks Way in Orpington. (The reason I didn't get it towed there was because I don't feel it is a very secure site!!) Besides I don't really want to pay MB rates ....

I told them what had happened with the view that they may offer some help and/or compensation but have heard nothing!!!!!

 

[television]

There is no sinister reason as to why I haven't said where the car is - just didn't think it was relevant at the time but if someone were to have a word with them on my behalf that would be great. It's with BMW & Mercedes Car Services on Rushmore Hill in Pratts Bottom (no comments please) in Kent. Their phone number is 01959 533359. Please speak to Jamie.

The £3k quote with £1k back for my old engine came from the MB garage where I had it serviced in July. They are part of Mercedes Benz London and are based on Sevenoaks Way in Orpington. (The reason I didn't get it towed there was because I don't feel it is a very secure site!!) Besides I don't really want to pay MB rates ....

I told them what had happened with the view that they may offer some help and/or compensation but have heard nothing!!!!!

That explains everything, I do believe that your best interest are being looked after here, only theirs.



Deborah, as said here many times to take the cover off to have a look take ½ hour, and what guarantee is there that the engine they are offering is the milage that they say.
I think something is very wrong, and that is my gut feeling

I also do not think that any good can be got by leaving the car with them, you must get it out of there

 

[jaymanek]

i agree with malcolm...

just doesnt sound right to me... i think someone somewhere is taking advantage..