nikfantastic
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2017
- Messages
- 7
- Car
- C200 cgi Sport
I know that there are other threads on the subject of timing chains but I am after the helpful knowledge and advice on this specific issue.
My 2010 manual C200 blue eff diesel has been maintained only at MB main dealer.
Its last service was end of June this year and all was "good/visually OK" on the Digital Service Report visual inspection sheet with the exception of 'advisory' for clutch/transmission which was the noise from DMF. This was sorted two weeks after with replace of DMF and clutch.
After a week the clutch slipped and let go oil. It was recovered to dealer and a seal (that wasn't replaced initially) was replaced and all good.
2 weeks ago I had been driving in central London, North Circular and dual carriageways at varying speeds with no noise, no performance or acceleration issues and no lights or warnings. I pulled into a car park and reverse parked.
I returned after 45 minutes and the car wouldn't start. No clunks just not starting as if a dead battery. The windows opened though. No warning lights on dash.
Mobilio arrived through RAC as agent.
Starter motor failure diagnosed. Recovery then said he'd bump/tow start the car.
Asked me to dip clutch and engage 2nd gear (manual transmission) and lift clutch and turn ignition when signalled to do so.
I did exactly as instructed and there was a juddering and noise but no start. I immediately dipped clutch and refused to try again.
The car was recovered into a main dealer who agreed starter motor was dead but they advised that the timing chain was stretched and car was 'running rough'
I was under duress of courtesy car being off hired told that I needed to authorise further diagnostics. This returned them saying the timing chain tensioner was broken and the car needed head off to investigate further. Again I felt under duress and was waiting for MB to come back with goodwill as I was adamant bump start had stretched chain.
Head off and they tell me that timing chain guide has disintegrated and the only repair is a new engine at £12,000.
I'm entirely honest when I say that the car had no performance issues, noise or warning lights on prior to parking up and being unable to turn the car over to start it so I don't get how this is the view from MB Main Dealer:
"As per our discussion yesterday the repair method we would advise is to replace then engine, this has been advised due to the following information
Valves to the exhaust inlet aren't sealing from touching the pistons
Chain tensioner guide has broken up and particles would be within the engine this in turn will cause the engine to fail / seize"
I have had helpful advice from 2 reputable indies who tell me that the sudden jerk from tow start would very plausibly caused the chain to jump and destroy guide and tensioner with knock effect of valves meet Pistons.
Mercedes UK have not at this point offered anything - even for existing work so that I can at least take the car back and get engine reconditioned (£2.5k) to cut my losses.
I would appreciate any tech/mech/engineering input into my situation.
(Again, I have read Timing Chain related threads but am after views specific to this situation).
Thank you
My 2010 manual C200 blue eff diesel has been maintained only at MB main dealer.
Its last service was end of June this year and all was "good/visually OK" on the Digital Service Report visual inspection sheet with the exception of 'advisory' for clutch/transmission which was the noise from DMF. This was sorted two weeks after with replace of DMF and clutch.
After a week the clutch slipped and let go oil. It was recovered to dealer and a seal (that wasn't replaced initially) was replaced and all good.
2 weeks ago I had been driving in central London, North Circular and dual carriageways at varying speeds with no noise, no performance or acceleration issues and no lights or warnings. I pulled into a car park and reverse parked.
I returned after 45 minutes and the car wouldn't start. No clunks just not starting as if a dead battery. The windows opened though. No warning lights on dash.
Mobilio arrived through RAC as agent.
Starter motor failure diagnosed. Recovery then said he'd bump/tow start the car.
Asked me to dip clutch and engage 2nd gear (manual transmission) and lift clutch and turn ignition when signalled to do so.
I did exactly as instructed and there was a juddering and noise but no start. I immediately dipped clutch and refused to try again.
The car was recovered into a main dealer who agreed starter motor was dead but they advised that the timing chain was stretched and car was 'running rough'
I was under duress of courtesy car being off hired told that I needed to authorise further diagnostics. This returned them saying the timing chain tensioner was broken and the car needed head off to investigate further. Again I felt under duress and was waiting for MB to come back with goodwill as I was adamant bump start had stretched chain.
Head off and they tell me that timing chain guide has disintegrated and the only repair is a new engine at £12,000.
I'm entirely honest when I say that the car had no performance issues, noise or warning lights on prior to parking up and being unable to turn the car over to start it so I don't get how this is the view from MB Main Dealer:
"As per our discussion yesterday the repair method we would advise is to replace then engine, this has been advised due to the following information
Valves to the exhaust inlet aren't sealing from touching the pistons
Chain tensioner guide has broken up and particles would be within the engine this in turn will cause the engine to fail / seize"
I have had helpful advice from 2 reputable indies who tell me that the sudden jerk from tow start would very plausibly caused the chain to jump and destroy guide and tensioner with knock effect of valves meet Pistons.
Mercedes UK have not at this point offered anything - even for existing work so that I can at least take the car back and get engine reconditioned (£2.5k) to cut my losses.
I would appreciate any tech/mech/engineering input into my situation.
(Again, I have read Timing Chain related threads but am after views specific to this situation).
Thank you