Has anyone on this forum changed the plastic timing chain guides on a 450 SLC, and is it a project one can do at home or does it require special tools only a Mercedes dealer or professional mechanic would have?
I'd like to try to change them as I have one that is cracked and want to change it before it breaks completely.
Thank you in advance for any input or suggestions,
Kurt

 

Kurt, I have tried some odd procedures and over the years have had some wow ones, and several boneheaded mistakes. This is my comment. Almost all modern engines use a timing chain or belt tensioner. Most are buried deep in the guts of your engine. Some belt tensioner's are accessible with little difficulty. Some require a fair degree of skill.
That said, most chain tensioners have a automatic slack adjuster built in to them. I bet yours does. That means you will somehow need to prevent it from automatically over extending when you re and re the guide. If you slip, aside from almost a full chain replacement procedure I think you will repeat my bonehead mistake. Getting to the tensioner and resetting it will be ugly. Good luck Allan

 

Allan,
Thank you for your very helpful reply.
I belong to several automotive forum and this one seems to be the most difficult to get anyone to respond with some helpful replies.
It sounds from your reply that perhaps this is a task better left to someone more qualified to replace the guides and the slack adjuster, so I don't get in over my head.
Thank you again for your help with this.
Kurt