Cam Chain Replacement

[bilgladstone]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

Is there a way to check the chain tension without taking bits off the engine?

I seem to recall reading something about gripping a chain stud through the oil filler hole with mole grips and pulling up, and that it should not move as much as 1mm. Does that sound right, or am I hallucinating again?

Bil

[mikko]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

cheers guys! the guy i'm doing it for wants the tensioner and guide replaced too so i found the fq101 site which has a guide for taking the timing cover off etc.

[2minits]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

no the head doesn't have to come off, you will need to remove the inlet rail, rocker box and anything else that gets in the way...then follow the instructions above....

[10:45PM]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

its for the oil pump

[mikko]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

i'm gonna have a go at changing the cam chain so have ben doing some research, does the head have to come off? and what is the other chain for?

[BHP]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

BTTT with this thread...

I've just re-instated the pictures, as there was an issue with my photobucket album, but all good now !!

The car has done around 3500 miles in the last year as it's only used as a run around, and hasn't missed a beat

[2minits]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

if your doing a rebuild you should have the rocker cover off the top, if you have split the old chain and connect it to the new one then wind the motor over slowly so the new chain goes through then connect the 2 ends of the new chain together....

you can get the pully off in the pic but by far the easiest way ios to take the sump off, take the plug out of the side of the clutch housing, then there is a hole in the clutch that a 3/8th squre socket extension goes in, make sure it's a good fit then you can undo the bolt on the pully!!!

[Kerja]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

well, doing the rebuilt We faced a little problem here

How to replace a chain?

Do we need to remove this bit in order to get to it? or there is more tricky way?



Cheers for the answers

[2minits]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

I want to change the timing chain in my Roadster and try to do it with the engine in the car. Is this possible and will i need to replace any gaskets or seals when reassembling?

yes and no!!
why do you want to change it unless it's done 10000000000000miles or is very rattly there is no point.....however
yes you can do it with the engine in the car (some disassembly of the engine is required), and no you don't need to replace any seals might be wirth doing the breather pipe while the top end is in bits though(providing you do it right!!!) BUT bear in mind that if you drop the new chain in or even the old one it's a right pain in the ass to retrieve!!

I would describe it as a rattling/chainish noise.
Does it sound like a chain replacement is required? Car has only gone about 60k Km.

yes, however it might be worth your while checking that there are no other problems within the timing case end of the engine as normally on a lowish mileage car there is no reason for it to rattle.

[pantzman]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

I would love to know that too.
I find my engine kinda noisy.
In our quest to find the source of the noise we changed the air con pulley (was very noisy).
Then we found out that the noise came from inside the engine (took off the oil filling cap thingy and could clearly hear it coming from inside somewhere).

I would describe it as a rattling/chainish noise.
Does it sound like a chain replacement is required? Car has only gone about 60k Km.

[Honch]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

I want to change the timing chain in my Roadster and try to do it with the engine in the car. Is this possible and will i need to replace any gaskets or seals when reassembling?

[BHP]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

I hope your grindings didn't end up anywhere inside your engine!

Wouldn't a chain splitter and riviter kit been easier?

such as ebay 280270951805

No grindings in any engine, do you honestly think I would do that after rebuilding the engine and with open fuel lines from the inlet manifold

That area was more than covered, don't you worry

Regarding ebay items, don't like the place, don't trust the place, plus why spend £30-£40 on a chain splitter that is worth having, not some chocolate material, when I'm only going to use it once ??

[madDan]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

I hope your grindings didn't end up anywhere inside your engine!

Wouldn't a chain splitter and riviter kit been easier?

such as ebay 280270951805

[BHP]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

Just a quick update to put closure to this cam chain replacement thread !!


I split the original cam chain by grinding the the side plate of the link:-




When the cam chain was split, I attached the replacement cam chain with locking wire to physically attach both chains together, noting to retain the pitch between both chains







Joining the new chain was a bit of a potch as the side plate of the replacement chain has undersided holes (Standard thing with chains you have to rivet). Using a G-clamp I pressed the side plate onto the link until the link had the same sideways float as the other links. Lastly I peened the ends over, by using a modified punch that I had profiled to the same shape as the O.E chain links that had been riveted. Basically a lump hammer on the link side of the chain to react the blows coming from the other side with my shaped punch and ball pane hammer. I even painted the link to ensure all was good before I refitted the head

[BHP]

Re: Cam Chain Replacement

Quick update !!

I collected the replacement cam chain today from Mercedes / Smart and can confirm the part number, and what is actually supplied, for future reference







Hope that clears up any confusion !!