380SL - when the timing chain breaks?

The best bang for the buck is to find a good used 380 engine that tests (when hot!) with good compression AND already has a dual row chain. But you want to look for a sedan engine, when you say "SL" people see dollar signs.

Reply to
Richard Sexton
Loading thread data ...

The shortest anybody so far seen a chain break at is 34K mi.

Your engine is destroyed. These are interference engines and the pistons and valves bang into each other. Best case you bend valves and gouge pistos. Worst case the valve ead breaks off and gets mached into the heads ruiing them and the block as well.

Keep in mind only the US got single row 380's and only for a couple of years.

Reply to
Richard Sexton

Here you have suggested an 80% probability. Four questions ...

1- approximately how much to repair? 2- could the engine repair costs be minimized as soon as you hear the slapping noise of a loose chain to turn off the engine? Or are you basically screwed no matter what you do? 3- assume you are faced with replacing the engine - are there other alternatives than another 3.8L engine? 4- What are the probabilities of a well maintained engine lasting for 200k miles?
Reply to
Ptolemy

Rebuild both heads, some new valves, all new guides, timing chain, gears, rails, tensioner, water pump, approx $4,000

Add: Change over to duplex chain- $1,800

There is not usually any warning to chain failure.>3- assume you are faced with replacing the engine - are there other

Not realistically. Any "swap" is a Monster Garage project that will cost a fortune.

About 100%. Many of these engines have 200 to 300k on them now.

Bill Ditmire Ditmire Motorworks,Inc.

425 White Horse Pike Absecon,NJ 08201
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609-641-3392
Reply to
Bill Ditmire

Are you saying "about 100%" meaning that a single timing chain 380SL engine that is well maintained lasting to 200k to 300k miles?

Reply to
Ptolemy

WHOA BOY! NO! There should NOT be any single chain cars by now. If you have one, DO NOT START THE ENGINE before changing to a duplex chain. Period.

Bill Ditmire Ditmire Motorworks,Inc.

425 White Horse Pike Absecon,NJ 08201
formatting link
609-641-3392
Reply to
Bill Ditmire

Thanks for your inputs. I was restating the issue to make perfectly clear your position which is that the 380SL with single timing chain is an inherently unreliable design but reliability is greatly improved if converted to dual timing chain.

What bothers me is that two mercedes reps have told me that the single timing chain is not that important an issue. One stated that many have gone over 200k without problems, and another to do regular oil changes and just get the timing chain replaced when my car reaches 75k miles as a regular service item. Shit, it Mercedes Benz feels like this is as big an issue as many on the internet, you would think that they would stand behind their product with a recall. Recently, Toyota sent me a letter about peoples questions about oil sludge concerns and Toyota extended the warrantee on engine sludge to eight years. Surely one would assume a Mercedes engine to have higher reliability than a Toyota - well maybe not.

Reply to
Ptolemy

Toyota was dragged kicking and screaming to settle the class-action suit involving late-model, low mileage cars that had engine failure despite proper maintenance, due to a design defect. For five years they had stonewalled!

Bill Ditmire Ditmire Motorworks,Inc.

425 White Horse Pike Absecon,NJ 08201
formatting link
609-641-3392
Reply to
Bill Ditmire

Welp, at least Toyota came around and backed their engines and Mercedes is not going to acknowledge a problem. The net result is that I won't purchase anymore Mercedes but likely will purchase another Toyota.

Reply to
Ptolemy

You missed the point. Toyota did not "come around." They settled a lawsuit. You know... instead of risking a jury decision.

Bill Ditmire Ditmire Motorworks,Inc.

425 White Horse Pike Absecon,NJ 08201
formatting link
609-641-3392
Reply to
Bill Ditmire

So, both Mercedes and Toyota did not want to do the 'right' thing --- its that we let Mercedes get away with it?

Seems to me that the Mercedes engine problem is more serious than the Toyota oil sludge problem. In any case, the letter I got from Toyota was written like they were doing a 'community service' or the honorable and right thing for their customers. I guess its all how good one is wording things. BTW, has Mercedes even made a public acknowledgement about their engine problem?

Reply to
Ptolemy

Well Mercedes has a closetful of disgraceful issues like this. The "Bicycle Chain" motor. The whole 3.5 liter Diesel engine program 1990-1995. Derfective oil pump drive gears 1974-1976 280 with M110 engine. Windage tray breakage

300D/SDL 1986-1987. AC Evaporator failure all mid-nineties Mercedes models. Head gaskets all twin-cam inline engines 1990 on up. And there are more.

Bill Ditmire Ditmire Motorworks,Inc.

425 White Horse Pike Absecon,NJ 08201
formatting link
609-641-3392
Reply to
Bill Ditmire

Can you say "vested interest"?

I simply don't believe it.

You'd think they'd do something about the ovoid bores in thr 3.5L diesel, too, but no. OTOH if you have an unrepaired 107 chassis they will still to this day fix it free, same as the trap oxidizer problem. They're weird about what they'll fix and what they won't.

Reply to
Richard Sexton

Well, they stopped using the single row timing chain after a two year experiement on US only cars, that's pretty public.

Reply to
Richard Sexton

MERCEDES STATEMENT START: "...all we are saying is that it is impossible to predict timing chain failure. There are too many vairables (age, mileage, usage, driving conditions, etc.), and because of this we do not provide a listing, or recommended mileage for replacement. We now only provide a double-rolling chain because we used it on the new 6 and 8 cylinder engines after 1985. Because it is retrofittable for the previous engines, why supply both? It is simply an evolution of parts. We don't feel the single rolling chain is a "time bomb", it was a very effective design, and yes many have lasted (according to owner reports) in excess of 200,000 miles."

MERCEDES STATEMENT END

formatting link

Mercedes seems to be telling me from that statement that:

a) the single row timing chain

b) Its a very effective design

c) Its not a "time bomb"

d) That the reason fro going to double row chains is simply to cut down on inventory of parts

e) that "it is impossible to predict timing chain failure" and "many have lasted in excess of 200,000 miles"

Sounds like Mercedes is saying this concern about 'single row timing chain" is all hype. I wonder if the 'data' on these engines will support their stance and that is the reason I requested data to support their position that the single timing chain is not as big a concern as many feel.

Reply to
Ptolemy

Mercedes has made hundreds if not thousands of different models of cars and engines. A complete list can be foudn at the bottom of ths post.

Here is a complete list of all MB motors that use single row timing chains:

M180 230 (W114) M180 230.6 (W114) M123 250 (W123) M102 up to 1988 (W123,W124,W201except 2.3-16 version.) M103 300E/CE/TE (W124) M116 380SE/SEL/SEL Only early crap US version.

1968 W114 250 M180 230 and 230S (W111 65-68)

If they're so good why did they use them so very very infrequently?

Mercedes is the only place you'll hear they're ok. The rest of the world just giggles and snickers at the idea.

100 980 600 Limo 100 012 1963-1981 2190 SWB 100 980 600 Limo 100 014 1963-1981 0 Four Door Pullman 100 980 600 Limo 100 015 1963-1981 0 2 Door Landaulet 100 980 600 Limo 100 016 1963-1981 0 Six Door Pullman 100 981 300SEL 6.3 Sedan 109 018 1968-1972 6526 100 985 450SEL 6.9 Sedan 116 036 1977-1979 7380 102 920 200 Sedan 123 220 1980-1985 217315 102 920 200T Wagon 123 280 1980-1986 18860 102 963 200E Sedan 124 021 ???- ??? 0 102 980 230CE Coupe 123 243 1980-1985 29858 102 980 230E Sedan 123 223 1980-1985 245882 102 980 230TE Wagon 123 283 1980-1986 42284 102 982 230E Sedan 124 023 ???- ??? 0 102 982 230TE Wagon 124 083 ???- ??? 0 102 983 190E 2.3-16 Sedan 201 034 1986-1987 102 985 190E 2.3 Sedan 201 024 1984-1986 102 985 190E 2.3 Sedan 201 028 1987-1993 103 940 260E Sedan 124 026 1987-1989 0 103 940 300E 2.6 Sedan 124 026 1990-1992 103 940 260E Sedan 124 027 ???- ??? 0 LWB 103 941 260SE Sedan 126 020 1985-1991 20836 103 942 190E 2.6 Sedan 201 029 1987-1993 103 943 260E 4MATIC Sedan 124 226 ???- ??? 0 103 981 300SE Sedan 126 024 1985-1991 105422 103 981 300SEL Sedan 126 025 1985-1991 40958 103 982 230CE Coupe 124 043 102- 982 0 103 982 300SL Roadster 107 041 1985-1989 0 103 983 300E Sedan 124 030 1986-1992 103 983 300TE Wagon 124 090 1988-1989 103 983 300CE Coupe 124 043 ???- ??? 0 103 985 300E 4MATIC Sedan 124 230 1990-1993 103 985 400TE 4MATIC Wagon 124 290 1990-1993 104 941 C280 Sedan 202 028 1994-2000 104 941 C36 Sedan 202 028 1994-1997 104 942 300E 2.8 Sedan 124 028 1993-1993 0 Also Badged 280E/E280 104 942 280E/E280 Sedan 124 029 ???- ??? 0 LWB 104 980 300CE Coupe 124 051 1990-1993 104 980 300CE-24 Cabriolet 124 061 ???- ??? 0 104 980 300CE-24 Coupe 124 050 ???- ??? 0 104 980 300E-24 Sedan 124 031 ???- ??? 0 104 981 300SL Roadster 129 061 1990-1993 104 990 300SE Sedan 140 032 1992-1993 104 990 S320 Sedan 140 032 1994-1994 104 991 SL320 Roadster 129 063 1994-1995 104 992 300CE/E320 Coupe 124 066 1993-1995 104 992 300E/E320 Sedan 124 032 1993-1995 104 992 300TE/E320 Wagon 124 092 1993-1993 104 992 300CE/E320 Coupe 124 052 1994-1995 104 992 E320A Cabriolet 124 066 1994-1995 104 995 E320 Sedan 210 055 1996-2002 104 995 E320 Wagon 210 1998-2002 107 922 200 Sedan 124 020 ???- ??? 0 108 920 250S Sedan 108 012 1965-1969 74677 110 921 280 Sedan 114 060 1972-1976 44537 110 921 280C Coupe 114 073 1972-1976 13151 110 922 280S Sedan 116 020 1972-1976 0 9.0:1 Compression Ratio 110 922 280S Sedan 116 202 1976-1980 0 8.7:1 Compression Ratio 110 923 280 Sedan 123 030 1975-1981 33206 110 923 280C Coupe 123 050 1977-1980 3704 110 924 280S Sedan 126 021 1979-1985 man trans up to 003769 auto up to 007282 110 926 280S Sedan 126 021 1979-1985 110 981 280CE Coupe 114 072 1972-1976 11518 110 981 280E Sedan 114 070 1972-1976 22836 110 982 280SL Roadster 107 042 1971-1976 0 D-Jet inj. 110 982 280SLC Coupe 107 022 1971-1976 0 D-Jet inj. 110 983 280SE Sedan 116 024 1972-1976 0 Elec D-Jet FI (9.0:1 Compression Ratio) 110 983 280SEL Sedan 116 025 1972-1976 0 Elec D-Jet FI (9.0:1 Compression Ratio) 110 984 280E Sedan 123 033 1975-1978 0 110 984 280CE Coupe 123 053 1977-1978 0 110 985 280SE Sedan 116 024 1976-1978 0 Mech K-Jet FI (8.1:1 Compression Ratio) 110 985 280SEL Sedan 116 025 1976-1978 0 Mech K-Jet FI (8.1:1 Compression Ratio) 110 986 280SL Roadster 107 042 1976-1979 0 K-Jet inj. 110 986 280SLC Coupe 107 022 1976-1979 0 K-Jet inj. 110 987 280SE Sedan 126 022 1979-1985 man trans to 007277, auto to 035562 110 987 280SEL Sedan 126 023 1980-1985 man trans to 007277, auto to 035562 110 988 280E Sedan 123 033 1978-1985 0 110 988 280TE Wagon 123 093 1978-1986 19789 110 988 280CE Coupe 123 053 1980-1985 0 110 989 280SE Sedan 126 022 1979-1985 110 989 280SEL Sedan 126 023 1980-1985 110 990 280SL Roadster 107 042 1979-1985 0 K-Jet inj. 110 990 280SLC Coupe 107 022 1979-1979 1985 K-Jet inj. 110 ??? 280SE Sedan 116 024 1977-1980 0 Mech K-Jet FI (9.0:1 Compression Ratio) 110 ??? 280SEL Sedan 116 025 1977-1980 0 Mech K-Jet FI (9.0:1 Compression Ratio) 111 940 200CE/E200 Coupe 124 040 ???- ??? 0 111 940 200CE/E200 Coupe 124 060 ???- ??? 0 111 960 220CE/E220 Cabriolet 124 062 ???- ??? 0 111 960 220E/E220 Coupe 124 042 ???- ??? 0 111 960 220E/E220 Sedan 124 022 ???- ??? 0 111 960 220TE/E220 Wagon 124 082 ???- ??? 0 111 961 C220 Sedan 202 022 1994-1997 111 974 C230 Sedan 202 023 1998-2000 111 ??? SLK230 Cabriolet 170 447 1997- - 112 912 C240 Sedan 203 061 2000- - 112 940 CLK320 Coupe 208 365 1998- - 112 942 ML320 SUV 163 154 1998- - 112 946 C320 Sedan 203 064 2001- - 113 940 E430 Sedan 210 670 1998-2002 113 942 ML430 SUV 163 172 1999- - 113 943 CLK430 Coupe 208 370 1999- 113 960 S500 Sedan 220 175 1999- - 114 920 250 Sedan 114 010 1968-1972 95534 114 920 250C Coupe 114 021 1968-1972 11204 114 980 250CE Coupe 114 022 1968-1972 21787 115 538 200 Sedan 123 020 1976-1980 158772 115 920 220/8 Sedan 115 010 1968-1973 128399 115 923 200/8 Sedan 115 015 1967-1976 288785 115 951 230.4 Sedan 115 017 1973-1976 87609 115 954 230 Sedan 123 023 1976-1981 196185 115 954 230 Sedan 123 023 1977-1978 115 954 230C Coupe 123 043 1977-1980 18675 115 954 230T Wagon 123 083 1978-1980 6884 116 960 380SL Roadster 107 045 1981-1981 116 960 380SLC Coupe 107 024 1981-1981 116 961 380SE Sedan 126 033 1981-1983 116 961 380SE Sedan 126 032 1984-1985 116 962 380SL Roadster 107 045 1982-1985 116 963 380SEC Coupe 126 043 1981-1983 116 964 420SL Roadster 107 047 1985-1989 0 116 965 420SE Sedan 126 034 1985-1991 13996 116 965 420SEC Coupe 126 046 1985-1991 116 965 420SEL Sedan 126 035 1985-1991 74017 116 980 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet 111 027 1969-1971 1232 116 980 280SE 3.5 Coupe 111 026 1969-1971 3270 116 981 300SEL 3.5 Sedan 109 056 1969-1972 9583 116 981 280SE 3.5 Sedan 108 057 1970-1972 8250 116 981 280SEL 3.5 Sedan 108 058 1970-1972 951 116 982 350SLC Coupe 107 023 1971-1973 0 Euro 116 983 350SE Sedan 116 028 1972-1976 0 Elec D-Jet FI (9.3:1 Compression Ratio) 116 983 350SEL Sedan 116 029 1972-1976 0 Elec D-Jet FI (9.3:1 Compression Ratio) 116 984 350SL Roadster 107 043 1971-1976 0 D-Jet inj. 116 984 350SL Roadster 107 043 1976-1980 0 K-Jet inj. 116 985 350SE Sedan 116 028 1976-1978 0 Mech K-Jet FI (9.3:1 Compression Ratio) 116 985 350SEL Sedan 116 029 1976-1978 0 Mech K-Jet FI (9.3:1 Compression Ratio) 116 ??? 350SE Sedan 116 028 1978-1980 0 Mech K-Jet FI (9.0:1 Compression Ratio) 116 ??? 350SEL Sedan 116 029 1978-1980 0 Mech K-Jet FI (9.0:1 Compression Ratio) 117 960 450SLC 5.0 Coupe 107 026 1978-1979 0 117 960 500SL Roadster 107 046 1980-1981 0 Early go hard version 117 960 500SLC Coupe 107 026 1980-1981 0 117 962 500SL Roadster 107 046 1982-1985 0 Later not so good version. 117 963 500SE Sedan 126 036 1980-1985 117 963 500SEC Coupe 126 044 1984-1985 117 963 500SEL Sedan 126 037 1984-1985 117 964 500SL Roadster 107 046 1985-1989 0 Even later ke injection. 117 967 560SL Roadster 107 048 1986-1989 117 968 560SEC Coupe 126 045 1985-1991 28929 117 968 560SEL Sedan 126 039 1985-1991 75051 117 968 560SE Sedan 126 036 1988-1991 117 981 300SEL 4.5 Sedan 109 057 1971-1972 2553 117 982 350/450SL Roadster 107 044 1972-1975 0 EFI 4.5 liter, US badged 350 in 1972 117 982 450SLC Coupe 107 024 1972-1975 Elec inj 117 983 450SE Sedan 116 032 1973-1975 0 Elec D-Jet FI (8.8:1 Compression Ratio) 117 983 450SEL Sedan 116 033 1974-1975 0 Elec D-Jet FI (8.8:1 Compression Ratio) 117 984 280SE 4.5 Sedan 108 067 1971-1972 13527 117 984 280SEL 4.5 Sedan 108 068 1971-1972 8173 117 985 450SL Roadster 107 044 1976-1980 0 CIS 4.5 liter 117 985 450SLC Coupe 107 024 1976-1980 CIS Inj 117 986 450SE Sedan 116 032 1975-1980 0 Mech K-Jet FI (8.8:1 Compression Ratio) 117 986 450SEL Sedan 116 033 1975-1980 0 Mech K-Jet FI (8.8:1 Compression Ratio) 119 940 200E/E200 Sedan 124 019 ???- ??? 0 119 960 500SL Roadster 129 066 1990-1993 119 970 500SEL Sedan 140 051 1992-1993 119 970 500SEC Coupe 140 070 1993-1993 119 970 S500 Coupe 140 070 1994-1994 0 119 970 S500 Sedan 140 051 1994-1994 119 971 400SE Sedan 140 042 1992-1992 119 971 400SEL Sedan 140 043 1993-1993 119 971 S420 Sedan 140 043 1994-1994 119 972 500SL/SL500 Roadster 129 067 1993-1995 119 974 500E Sedan 124 036 1992-1995 119 975 400E Sedan 124 034 1992-1995 119 985 E420 Sedan 210 072 1997-1997 120 980 600SEL Sedan 140 057 1992-1993 120 980 600SEC Coupe 140 076 1993-1993 120 980 S600 Coupe 140 076 1994-1994 0 120 980 S600 Sedan 140 057 1994- ??? 120 981 600SL/SL600 Roadster 129 076 1993-1995 121 920 190b Sedan 121 010 1959-1961 121 921 190SL Roadster 121 040 1955-1961 Hard top only 121 921 190SL Roadster 121 042 1955-1961 Soft top only 121 923 180a Sedan 120 010 1957-1959 121 923 180b Sedan 120 010 1959-1961 121 924 190c Sedan 110 010 1962-1965 130554 121 927 180c Sedan 120 010 1961-1962 121 928 190SL Roadster 121 040 1962-1963 Hard top only 121 928 190SL Roadster 121 042 1962-1963 Soft top only 121 940 200 Sedan 110 010 1965-1966 70207 123 920 250 Sedan 123 026 1976-1979 0 123 920 250 Lang Sedan 123 028 1977-1979 0 123 920 250T Wagon 123 086 1978-1979 0 123 921 250 Sedan 123 026 1979-1985 0 123 921 250 Lang Sedan 123 028 1979-1985 0 123 921 250T Wagon 123 086 1979-1982 0 127 980 220SE Sedan 128 010 1958-1960 0 127 980 220SE Sedan 128 011 1958-1959 0 Sunroof 127 981 230SL Roadster 113 042 1963-1966 19831 127 982 220SEb Sedan 111 014 1959-1965 66086 127 983 220SE Sedan 128 010 1958-1960 0 127 984 220SEb Cabriolet 111 023 1959-1965 2729 127 984 220SEb Coupe 111 021 1959-1965 14179 127 ??? 220SE Cabriolet 128 030 1958-1960 127 ??? 220SE Coupe 128 037 1958-1960 129 980 250SE Coupe 111 021 1965-1967 5259 129 980 250SE Sedan 108 014 1965-1968 55181 129 980 250SE Cabriolet 111 023 1966-1967 954 129 982 250SL Roadster 113 043 1966-1968 5196 130 920 280S Sedan 108 016 1967-1972 93666 130 923 250/8 Sedan 114 011 1969-1976 16830 130 923 250C Coupe 114 023 1969-1972 9388 2.8 Litre 130 980 280SE Cabriolet 111 025 1967-1971 1390 130 980 280SE Coupe 111 024 1967-1971 3797 130 980 280SE Sedan 108 018 1967-1972 91051 130 980 280SEL Sedan 108 019 1968-1971 8250 130 981 300SEL /8 Sedan 109 016 1968-1970 2519 130 983 280SL Roadster 113 044 1968-1971 23885 136 043 170S Cab B Cabriolet 136 043 1949-1951 0 136 920 170V Sedan 136 010 1947-1950 0 136 922 170S Sedan 136 040 1949-1952 0 136 922 170S Sedan 136 049 1949-1952 0 With Sliding Roof 136 922 170S Cab A Cabriolet 136 042 1949-1951 0 136 922 170Sb Sedan 191 010 1952-1953 0 136 922 170Sb Sedan 191 018 1952-1953 0 Sunroof 136 922 170Sb Cab A Cabriolet 191 011 1952-1953 0 136 922 170Sb Cab B Cabriolet 191 012 1952-1953 0 136 923 170Va Sedan 136 060 1950-1953 0 136 923 170Va Sedan 136 072 1950-1953 0 With Sliding Roof 136 923 170Vb Sedan 136 060 1950-1953 0 136 923 170Vb Sedan 136 072 1950-1953 0 With Sliding Roof 136 923 170S-V Sedan 136 081 1953-1955 0 136 926 170S-V Sedan 136 082 1953-1955 0 With Sliding Roof 137 970 S600 Sedan 220 178 2000- - 180 920 220 Sedan 187 011 1951-1953 0 180 920 220 Sedan 187 014 1951-1953 0 With Sliding Roof 180 920 220 Cab A Cabriolet 187 012 1951-1954 0 180 920 220 Cab B Cabriolet 187 013 1951-1954 0 180 920 220 Coupe 187 015 1954-1955 0 180 920 219 Sedan 105 000 1956-1959 Ambulance, partial body, 4 doors 180 920 219 Sedan 105 010 1956-1959 180 920 219 Sedan 105 011 1956-1959 Sliding roof 180 921 220a Sedan 180 010 1954-1956 0 180 924 220S Cabriolet 180 030 1956-1959 0 180 924 220S Sedan 180 010 1956-1959 180 924 220S Sedan 180 011 1956-1959 0 Sunroof 180 924 220S Coupe 180 037 1957-1959 0 180 940 220b Sedan 111 010 1959-1965 69691 180 941 220Sb Sedan 111 012 1959-1965 161119 180 945 230 Sedan 110 011 1965-1966 40258 180 947 230S Sedan 111 010 1965-1968 41107 180 949 230 Sedan 110 011 1965-1966 40258 7/66-1968 w/INAT carbs 180 954 230.6 Sedan 114 015 1967-1976 219208 180 954 230.6 Sedan 114 017 1967-1976 1131 3400mm Wheelbase 186 920 300 Cabriolet 186 013 1951-1954 0 186 920 300 Sedan 186 010 1951-1954 0 186 920 300 Sedan 186 015 1951-1954 0 Sunroof 186 920 300b Sedan 186 010 1954-1955 0 186 920 300b Sedan 186 015 1954-1955 0 Sunroof 186 920 300c Cabriolet 186 033 1955-1957 0 033A, Manual trans. 186 920 300c Sedan 186 016 1955-1957 0 Manual trans. 186 920 300c Sedan 186 017 1955-1957 0 017A, Manual trans, sunroof 186 920 300c Sedan 187 017 1955-1957 0 Manual trans, sunroof 186 921 300c Cabriolet 186 033 1955-1957 0 Auto. trans. 186 921 300c Sedan 186 017 1955-1957 0 Auto trans, sunroof 186 921 300c Sedan 186 916 1955-1957 0 Auto. trans. 186 921 300c Sedan 187 017 1955-1957 0 Auto trans, sunroof 188 920 300S Cabriolet 188 010 1952-1955 0 188 920 300S Coupe 188 011 1952-1955 0 188 920 300S Roadster 188 012 1952-1955 0 189 980 300d Cabriolet 189 033 1958-1962 0 Auto trans 189 980 300d Sedan 189 010 1958-1962 0 Auto trans 189 980 300d Sedan 189 011 1958-1962 0 Auto trans, sunroof 189 981 300d Cabriolet 189 033 1958-1962 0 Manual trans 189 981 300d Sedan 189 010 1958-1962 0 Manual trans 189 981 300d Sedan 189 011 1958-1962 0 Manual trans, sunroof 189 984 300SE Sedan 112 014 1961-1963 3776 189 984 300SE Lang Sedan 112 015 1962-1963 388 189 985 300SE Cabriolet 112 023 1961-1964 189 985 300SE Coupe 112 021 1961-1964 189 986 300SE Sedan 112 014 1964-1965 1426 189 986 300SE Lang Sedan 112 015 1964-1965 1158 189 987 300SE Cabriolet 112 023 1964-1967 0 189 987 300SE Coupe 112 021 1964-1967 0 189 988 300SEL Sedan 109 015 1965-1967 2369 189 989 300SEb Sedan 108 015 1965-1967 2737 198 980 300 SL Coupe 198 040 1954-1957 1371 Gullwing 198 980 300 SL Roadster 198 042 1957-1962 1658 Roasdster 198 981 300 SL Coupe 198 043 1955-1956 29 Gullwing, alloy body 198 982 300 SL Roadster 198 042 1957-1962 200 Roadster, Alloy engine 199 980 300Sc Cabriolet 188 013 1955-1958 0 199 980 300Sc Coupe 188 014 1955-1958 0 199 980 300Sc Roadster 188 015 1955-1958 0 601 912 200D Sedan 124 120 ???- ??? 0 601 921 190D 2.2 Sedan 201 122 1984-1986 602 911 190D 2.5 Sedan 201 126 1987-1989 602 912 250D Sedan 124 125 ???- ??? 0 602 912 250D Sedan 124 127 ???- ??? 0 LWB 602 961 190D 2.5T Sedan 201 128 1987-1987 602 962 300D 2.5 Sedan 124 128 1990-1993 0 Also Badged E250 D Turbo 603 913 300D 4MATIC Sedan 124 330 ???- ??? 0 603 960 300TD Wagon 124 193 1987-1987 0 Turbo 603 960 E300 D Turbo Sedan 124 133 1987-1987 0 603 961 300SDL Sedan 126 125 1986-1987 13830 603 963 E300D 4MATIC Sedan 124 333 ???- ??? 0 Turbo 603 970 350SDL Sedan 126 135 1990-1991 2925 603 970 350SD Sedan 126 134 1991-1991 2066 603 971 300SD Sedan 140 134 1992-1993 603 971 S350 Sedan 140 134 1994-1994 605 911 E250 D Sedan 124 126 ???- ??? 0 605 911 E250 D Sedan 124 129 ???- ??? 0 606 910 E300 D Sedan 124 131 1995-1995 0 606 912 E300D Sedan 210 020 1996-1997 615 912 220D Sedan 115 112 1967-1973 4027 3400mm Wheelbase 615 912 220D Sedan 115 110 1968-1976 412830 615 913 200D/8 Sedan 115 115 1968-1976 339927 615 940 200D Sedan 123 120 1976-1985 378138 615 941 220D Sedan 123 126 1976-1979 56736 616 912 240D Sedan 123 123 1977-1983 616 912 240D Lang Sedan 123 125 1977-1985 0 616 912 240TD Wagon 123 183 1978-1986 38903 616 916 240D Sedan 115 117 1973-1976 126148 617 910 240D Sedan 115 114 1974-1976 53690 3.0 Litre (Badged 300D For US) 617 912 300D Sedan 123 130 1976-1985 0 617 912 300CD Coupe 123 150 1977-1981 7502 617 912 300D Lang Sedan 123 132 1977-1985 0 617 912 300TD Wagon 123 190 1978-1986 36874 617 950 300SD Sedan 116 120 1978-1980 28634 617 951 300SD Sedan 126 120 1980-1985 78726 617 952 300TD Wagon 123 193 1980-1986 28219 Turbo 617 952 300CD Coupe 123 153 1981-1985 8007 Turbo 617 952 300D Turbo Sedan 123 133 1981-1985 75261 619 916 240D Sedan 115 119 1973-1976 3655 3400mm Wheelbase 621 910 190Db Sedan 121 111 1958-1961 0 Sunroof 621 910 190Db Sedan 121 110 1959-1961 Diesel 621 912 190Dc Sedan 110 110 1962-1965 225645 621 914 180Dc Sedan 120 110 1961-1962 Diesel 621 918 200D Sedan 110 110 1966-1967 161618 621 918 200D Sedan 110 116 1967-1967 Long Wheelbase 630 912 300D Sedan 124 130 ???- ??? 0 636 915 170D Sedan 136 110 1949-1950 0 636 916 170Da Sedan 136 160 1950-1953 0 636 916 170Da Sedan 136 172 1950-1953 0 With Sliding Roof 636 916 170Db Sedan 136 160 1950-1953 0 636 916 170Db Sedan 136 172 1950-1953 0 With Sliding Roof 636 918 170Ds Sedan 191 110 1952-1953 0 636 918 170Ds Sedan 191 113 1952-1953 0 Sunroof 636 930 180D Sedan 120 110 1953-1959 Diesel 636 930 180Db Sedan 120 111 1953-1961 0 Sunroof 636 930 180Db Sedan 120 110 1959-1961 Diesel
Reply to
Richard Sexton

YOu are beginning to sound like a troll pretending to be a little dense.

I would suggest you believe whomever you please in regards to your timing chain, and we will gladly give you all the advice you need when it comes to changing your engine. Until then the engineers, mechanic and mercedes enthusiasts and 380 owners, with hundreds of cumulative years of experience and no vested interest in the answer, will continue to state, "Single row chains are a time bomb and may go at any moment, change them as soon as humanely possible before destroying your engine."

MB will continue to prevaricate, you chose whichever statement suits you best.

JJ

Ptolemy wrote:

Reply to
Jeremy

Jeremy, I'm not trying to act like a troll or act dense. I have two opposing opinions I am trying to reconcile with and even though one would think Mercedes would be the definitive authority, I am at least giving a lot of respect to the opposing stance. I have no desire to throw away $4 G's to install a dual timing chain in an engine that seems to 'purr like a kitten' unless I have to. I have to weigh these two opposing positions and potential costs. Perhaps Mercedes has even opened themselves up to a class action lawsuit if enough data can be obtained. I'm kinda pissed about this as I purchased my 380SL thinking I bought a well designed, well engineered, and highly reliable vehicle. Why the h*ll would I pay $45K for a car that is a piece of crap. I remember well when I purchased my SL that I seriously considered the 1984 Corvette at 1/2 the cost I paid for the SL. I guess I should have instead bought the Vette and have 20 G's more in my pocket.

I assume those of you who advocate converting to dual timing chain believe the

380SL engine should then be reliable to 200k miles if well maintained.

Reply to
Ptolemy

If you're real nice to it it should last longer than that.

Reply to
Richard Sexton
400,000 miles should be attainable with proper scheduled maintenance. If you really want to believe MB, it is your choice. That year corvette would have already consumed the extra $20k and not be worth more than $4k, rides like a pig and is what it is, a cheap sports car.

Where did you get the $4k figure?

If you are so unhappy with buying the SL, I will take it off your hands for $6k and change the flaming chain myself.

JJ

Ptolemy wrote:

Reply to
Jeremy

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