Snapped timing chain - SLK 230K

[Deborah]

Thanks guys!!

Has anyone had any dealings with SL Pagoda in Gloucester. I was directed to them by desilav (see earlier) They are offering a second-hand engine circa 75k miles fully fitted with mine as exchange for £1100. Good deal????

Deborah

 

[Deborah]

I forgot to mention that the mechanic said the bottom of the engine is turning but not the top so the chain must be broken!!

 

[television]

Thanks guys!!

Has anyone had any dealings with SL Pagoda in Gloucester. I was directed to them by desilav (see earlier) They are offering a second-hand engine circa 75k miles fully fitted with mine as exchange for £1100. Good deal????

Deborah

Deborah we would all like to know what is wrong with you own engine, I am on the point of driving up and slipping off the rocker cover.

75k miles is no spring chicken

 

[GRAV888]

Deborah we would all like to know what is wrong with you own engine, I am on the point of driving up and slipping off the rocker cover.

75k miles is no spring chicken

If I wasn't so busy and going away for the weekend, I'd offer to take the cover off too.
It's only 20 miles from me.
I wonder if Oliver would go and get it and do it at his place?
It's a bit too far for Mr W.

 

[Deborah]

You would all be very welcome!

It's going no where at the moment obviously .........

 

[Deborah]

Guy at the garage says it hasn't got a cover plate and that the chain is an integral part of the engine block. He says he's quite happy to take the head off but it'll take 6 hours plus to do!!

 

[Ian B Walker]

Guy at the garage says it hasn't got a cover plate and that the chain is an integral part of the engine block. He says he's quite happy to take the head off but it'll take 6 hours plus to do!!

Tell him he needs to recalculate. The chain is not part of the block, the front timing chain cover needs removing. The head gasket swap (head off jobbie) start to finish, is only an 8hr job.

 

[television]

The head does not even have to off to see what happened,only the rocker cover

 

[C43AMG]

R2D2 I wonder if Steve would look at it for her ?

 

[Deborah]

There does seem to be a huge discrepancy in the amount of time this may all take. In fairness to him I think it's probably because he's never done this job before because he's never encountered this fault before. No one else seems to have either which is why it's all a bit of a mine field!

If someone else could look at it for me that would be great!

Deborah

p.s Anyone had any dealings with SL Pagoda in Gloucester?

 

[Will]

Deborah,

I think the fitted price of £1100 seems pretty fair. I would definately consider that the preferred option. It's done 40K miles less than your engine and should be good for at least another 100-150K miles, probably more if it's looked after.

As long as they offer a fair warranty on the work it's going to save you a whole lot of grief in the long run. £1100 might seem quite a lot of money but in reality it's not the worst news in the world, some people pay more than that at service time these days.

Will

 

[jaymanek]

I agree that £1100 is a fair price IF the engine is shot.. but i still think it needs an independent set of eyes on it...

 

[television]

This is going round in circles, and its so simple to take off the top and take a peep.

This is the first thing you do on any problem like this, its almost as though they want your engine beyond all else.

If it was a snapped cam shaft, this can be taken off in minutes and if all of the valves pop back up the chances are that it is only the shaft. the valves can be pushed down and felt for any damage to the stems.

Its not rocket science

 

[Will]

I agree I'd be inquisitive too and want to look under the cam cover, although I think the outcome is bound to be the same.

It's just not economical to take a chance repairing an engine like this.

Even on best case scenario, the costings are similar to a replacement engine. Worst case, it could be a whole lot more.

As a comparison to the offer from SL Pagoda (whom I am not advocating), the amount charged for a fully fitted engine is the same (maybe less!) than a day's labour at Mercedes-Benz around here.

Will

 

[television]

I agree I'd be inquisitive too and want to look under the cam cover, although I think the outcome is bound to be the same.

It's just not economical to take a chance repairing an engine like this.

Even on best case scenario, the costings are similar to a replacement engine. Worst case, it could be a whole lot more.

As a comparison to the offer from SL Pagoda (whom I am not advocating), the amount charged for a fully fitted engine is the same (maybe less!) than a day's labour at Mercedes-Benz around here.

Will

I cant agree with you on the damage, it is quite possibly only the chain or sprocket and nothing wrong with the rest, and if the is the case the cost is not that high

 

[Rob77]

No way, I'd go replacing an otherwise good engine with some random unknown, without at least finding out for sure what's up with the old one.

 

[television]

No way, I'd go replacing an otherwise good engine with some random unknown, without at least finding out for sure what's up with the old one.

A man after my own heart

 

[c240yaz]

Noticed that engine on ebay is still sitting there in Lancashire with less than 24hrs to go, @99p with no bidders so far.

 

[Rob77]

And reserve isn't met either so goodness knows what the seller wants for it. Or what condition its actually in.

By the time its bought, delivered and installed, you could fix a lot of issues in the existing engine.

 

[Mudster]

Deborah, If you're still reading this thread give Chas a call at www.sec-shop.com He's in Kemsing not far from you.

Although He specialises in SEC's he a proper old fashioned mechanic/engineer. You'll get a straight answer and if He can't help He will be able to suggest a good independent locally that will be able to.