wemay
Site Donor 2023
Yes, it does influence my decision.
Yes the MB engines are built well, especially the diesels for the most part. In watching Mercedes Source on you tube. He recommends replacing the timing chain every so often. I think he said north of 150,000 miles. He measured the length of the old chain on one vehicle and it was almost an inch longer than the new one. It goes without saying. but it throws the fuel injection, and the valve timing off making it noisy (er) smoke (ier) hard (er) to start and low (er) on power as well as modify combustion temperature and pressures events that can disrupt everything, coke rings, Soot the oil AKA run dirty (er) and waste fuel etc.. depending. Luv the old OM603 and 602 era iron especially the 300TD. a Geared timing set is the best. Most large diesels designed to run over a million miles use them as someone may have mentioned. However they whine some as they mesh. Some engines have them but not sure which ones. See this article https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/engine-timing-chains/I don’t know… I have a 42 year old OM616, a 41 year old OM617, a 38 year old OM601, and three different 22 year old OM602 and 603 engines… so apparently it can be done if done properly. Our Toyota got totalled due to a hurricane dropping a tree on it, with only 238k and 15 years…
But your point is valid. Chains require maintenance. And, IMO, getting everything back into proper mechanical time every decade or so isn’t the worst thing to happen.
Oh F1 engines dont have a cam shaft for timing. Solenoid's actuate the valves. This is here See https://www.freevalve.com/Yes the MB engines are built well, especially the diesels for the most part. In watching Mercedes Source on you tube. He recommends replacing the timing chain every so often. I think he said north of 150,000 miles. He measured the length of the old chain on one vehicle and it was almost an inch longer than the new one. It goes without saying. but it throws the fuel injection, and the valve timing off making it noisy (er) smoke (ier) hard (er) to start and low (er) on power as well as modify combustion temperature and pressures events that can disrupt everything, coke rings, Soot the oil AKA run dirty (er) and waste fuel etc.. depending. Luv the old OM603 and 602 era iron especially the 300TD. a Geared timing set is the best. Most large diesels designed to run over a million miles use them as someone may have mentioned. However they whine some as they mesh. Some engines have them but not sure which ones. See this article https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/engine-timing-chains/
It depends, timing chain life is also dictated by how often you change the oil.Are you less inclined to buy an older car with an engine that has a timing belt instead of a chain, knowing that a belt replacement will add hundreds to the actual cost of the vehicle? Do you try to avoid cars with timing belts altogether, or do you not care?
I’m looking at a V6 Lexus with 166k miles. I’m planning on having the timing belt and water pump replaced if I buy it, which will add hundreds to the actual cost. Another vehicle with a chain wouldn’t have that extra cost, possibly making it a better buy even if the initial cost was a few dollars more. Do you care?
Ask for a print-out of its history. If anything was done at the dealership, they will have it on their system. based on this, Make your best deal on the Lexus. Take it to your mechanic and have him look at the belt and ask his opinion. if your not satisfied with the answer spend the money and sleep at night. You should flush all the fluids, do filters and belts unless someone is sure its been done or it looks suspect or dirty. Better yet take it to your mechanic first.Are you less inclined to buy an older car with an engine that has a timing belt instead of a chain, knowing that a belt replacement will add hundreds to the actual cost of the vehicle? Do you try to avoid cars with timing belts altogether, or do you not care?
I’m looking at a V6 Lexus with 166k miles. I’m planning on having the timing belt and water pump replaced if I buy it, which will add hundreds to the actual cost. Another vehicle with a chain wouldn’t have that extra cost, possibly making it a better buy even if the initial cost was a few dollars more. Do you care?
Yes the MB engines are built well, especially the diesels for the most part. In watching Mercedes Source on you tube. He recommends replacing the timing chain every so often. I think he said north of 150,000 miles. He measured the length of the old chain on one vehicle and it was almost an inch longer than the new one. It goes without saying. but it throws the fuel injection, and the valve timing off making it noisy (er) smoke (ier) hard (er) to start and low (er) on power as well as modify combustion temperature and pressures events that can disrupt everything, coke rings, Soot the oil AKA run dirty (er) and waste fuel etc.. depending. Luv the old OM603 and 602 era iron especially the 300TD. a Geared timing set is the best. Most large diesels designed to run over a million miles use them as someone may have mentioned. However they whine some as they mesh. Some engines have them but not sure which ones. See this article https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/engine-timing-chains/
I think they give you more notice if something is happening because they typically stretch first and you get noise, a check engine light, some sort of indication. I have had both, have had a belt go bad in a non-interference car. I like the chain better.A snapped timing belt ended the life of my otherwise perfect 1999 VW Passat. Every car I've bought since has had a chain.
Does a chain make them bulletproof?... No. Chains do make me feel a little better though.
There are few GM small mills with no timing chain issues. The 2.0 a LTG is an example.A lot of newer GM FWD stuff seems to just not be a good idea, period. Toyota seems to have drivetrains that can last roughly forever with minimal maintenance (at least in certain situations), GM ”time bombs” cost more than the plastic pile is worth…
It depends. Something like a Honda 3.5L, I'd buy, but a Chrysler? NO!Are you less inclined to buy an older car with an engine that has a timing belt instead of a chain, knowing that a belt replacement will add hundreds to the actual cost of the vehicle? Do you try to avoid cars with timing belts altogether, or do you not care?
I’m looking at a V6 Lexus with 166k miles. I’m planning on having the timing belt and water pump replaced if I buy it, which will add hundreds to the actual cost. Another vehicle with a chain wouldn’t have that extra cost, possibly making it a better buy even if the initial cost was a few dollars more. Do you care?
I’ve been driving for over 40 years now and I’ve never had a timing chain fail.
My Dad put a lot of miles on Ford 302's and every now and then the chain would jump a tooth on high mile examples. He drove the hell outta them though, and the average person won't abuse an engine nearly as much, and I don't believe but one, if that, ever broke a chain. He usually got 180-200k out of them. When he went to 4.6 2V engines, he got 200-240 out of them. Both died due to drinking absurd amounts of oil.Yes the MB engines are built well, especially the diesels for the most part. In watching Mercedes Source on you tube. He recommends replacing the timing chain every so often. I think he said north of 150,000 miles. He measured the length of the old chain on one vehicle and it was almost an inch longer than the new one. It goes without saying. but it throws the fuel injection, and the valve timing off making it noisy (er) smoke (ier) hard (er) to start and low (er) on power as well as modify combustion temperature and pressures events that can disrupt everything, coke rings, Soot the oil AKA run dirty (er) and waste fuel etc.. depending. Luv the old OM603 and 602 era iron especially the 300TD. a Geared timing set is the best. Most large diesels designed to run over a million miles use them as someone may have mentioned. However they whine some as they mesh. Some engines have them but not sure which ones. See this article https://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/engine-timing-chains/