sprocket/chain check

[thamesc180k]

hi all, i plan to remove the valve cover to check the cam sprockets for wear and the chain for slack.
how can one tell if the chain has stretched?
now ive read a post that says early engines, the sprockets wear, later engines the chain tensioner fails. is this true?
how do you class an early engine against a later one?
i havent noticed any rattle on start up as its noisy anyway, similar to a diesel (chattering noise) and seems to be tensioner bearing? im going to replace the two pulleys anyway, but i theres rattle for a second or two on starting from being just run. if this is a chain tensioner leaking down, surely it would do it on a cold sart too?
Any advice would be great thanks and does this hose hold coolant in my pic?
thankyou Karl

 

[W1ghty]

hi all, i plan to remove the valve cover to check the cam sprockets for wear and the chain for slack.
how can one tell if the chain has stretched?
now ive read a post that says early engines, the sprockets wear, later engines the chain tensioner fails. is this true?
how do you class an early engine against a later one?
i havent noticed any rattle on start up as its noisy anyway, similar to a diesel (chattering noise) and seems to be tensioner bearing? im going to replace the two pulleys anyway, but i theres rattle for a second or two on starting from being just run. if this is a chain tensioner leaking down, surely it would do it on a cold sart too?
Any advice would be great thanks and does this hose hold coolant in my pic?
thankyou Karl

Yes that’s a coolant pipe , the left hand end of that pipe where it meets the engine is the thermostat.

 

[thamesc180k]

Yes that’s a coolant pipe , the left hand end of that pipe where it meets the engine is the thermostat.

thankyou for that , im guessing ill drain the radiator a tad to remove it if i end up replacing something?
that begs the question... where is the temp guage? in the menu on the dash?
its an 04 w203, m271 engine of course.

 

[markjay]

I don't know when the switchover occurred exactly, but on a general note, W203s with the M271 1.8L Kompressor engines are 'early' engines, while the M271 1.8L and 1.6L Turbo engines on the W204s are the 'later' engines.

If your car is a 2004 model, then it is certainly an early engine, because the M271 was only introduced in the W203 a year earlier, in 2003.

 

[thamesc180k]

I don't know when the switchover occurred exactly, but on a general note, W203s with the M271 1.8L Kompressor engines are 'early' engines, while the M271 1.8L and 1.6L Turbo engines on the W204s are the 'later' engines.

If your car is a 2004 model, then it is certainly an early engine, because the M271 was only introduced in the W203 a year earlier, in 2003.

ok thanks thats good to know, cheers

 

[W1ghty]

thankyou for that , im guessing ill drain the radiator a tad to remove it if i end up replacing something?
that begs the question... where is the temp guage? in the menu on the dash?
its an 04 w203, m271 engine of course.

Temp gauge on my 2009 is on the dash , not sure on yours buddy .

 

[markjay]

These photos will give you a good idea what worn sprockets look like:

K

Post in thread 'M271 camshaft actuators'

Mar 20, 2021

I've never replaced sprocket wheels on any car that I owned. On a properly-serviced car, they rarely suffer significant wear throughout the engine's life. The sprockets on the M271 are the odd ones out. I certainly wouldn't replace the lower sprocket 'as a matter of course' when replacing the chain, but 'on condition' only. There's no reason to assume that the lower sprocket is made of the same substandard material

Attached images below of the cam sprockets and timing marks. There is probably close to half the teeth missing on each sprocket

• King03sh

• 

 

[thamesc180k]

These photos will give you a good idea what worn sprockets look like:

K

Post in thread 'M271 camshaft actuators'

Mar 20, 2021

I've never replaced sprocket wheels on any car that I owned. On a properly-serviced car, they rarely suffer significant wear throughout the engine's life. The sprockets on the M271 are the odd ones out. I certainly wouldn't replace the lower sprocket 'as a matter of course' when replacing the chain, but 'on condition' only. There's no reason to assume that the lower sprocket is made of the same substandard material

Attached images below of the cam sprockets and timing marks. There is probably close to half the teeth missing on each sprocket

• King03sh

• 

oh yes they are certainly worn! the timing mark that isnt lined up is a stretched chain i understand?

 

[thamesc180k]

These photos will give you a good idea what worn sprockets look like:

K

Post in thread 'M271 camshaft actuators'

Mar 20, 2021

I've never replaced sprocket wheels on any car that I owned. On a properly-serviced car, they rarely suffer significant wear throughout the engine's life. The sprockets on the M271 are the odd ones out. I certainly wouldn't replace the lower sprocket 'as a matter of course' when replacing the chain, but 'on condition' only. There's no reason to assume that the lower sprocket is made of the same substandard material

Attached images below of the cam sprockets and timing marks. There is probably close to half the teeth missing on each sprocket

• King03sh

• 

today i removed the valve cover and inspected the sprockets, timing marks, and chain and they are in very good condition and spot on, so stoked (happy). will reassemble and bought a new valve cover for $31 NZ (WHAT A SCORE).
Thanks for the information.
change the conversation, but do you know if the c200 (2.0 ltr) uses the same front shocks as the c180 ,same model/shape as mine?
Thanks again Karl

 

[BlackC55]

To check it properly you need to set the timing to TDC and see if it lines up.

 

[thamesc180k]

To check it properly you need to set the timing to TDC and see if it lines up.

Thanks , yes done.