There seems to be quite a bit of concern with timing chains on the V8 engines but very little on the in line sixes. I am curiuous what the recommendations are for renewal of the timing chains and associated components on the 190E 2.6 and the SL320.
I believe the chain on the 2.6 engine is quite short, and possibly less stressed (if that makes sense!) and as a result it tends to last longer than the V8 timing-chain.
I have a 260E, with the 2.6-litre six cylinder engine, and the chain in that has never been changed and it has covered 162,000 miles. When it was checked, the chain exhibited hardly any wear at all. It's a duplex chain, but I seem to remember that that some early sixes were fitted with a simplex, single-row chain, and these are more prone to failure and should be changed for the duplex type.
I don't see any need to change the chain on the 260E, but I changed my 500SE V8 chain at 120,000 miles, and it was worn enough to ratlle on start-up, even though the car had been serviced by a main dealer since new, with correct lubrication, etc.
The chains really last, 230 TE -90 540 000 km, valve cover never opened. No rattles, no tappings, still runs perfect. -89 was the first year this engine had no top problems and -91 it was discontinued :-(
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