I have been told by my dealer that it is long past time to change my timing chain/belts on my 1994 SL500. I only drive my car during the spring/summer/fall and put roughly 5,000 miles on it annually. I currently have roughly 132,000 miles on the car. Do I need to have the timing chain/belts changed? If so, can anyone tell me if this is a job that my son can do? He is very mechanically inclined with cars. He started out at the age of 17 doing a complete engine/transmission swap on a 97 Honda civic and did not have that 1st bolt left over. It started and ran the first time. He has had several other cars including an 05 Corvette that he did all of the repairs on. If anyone has a step-step instruction on replacing the timing chain/belts would you please provide that to me as well or a link to replacing. Thanking you all in advance...

 

yes you should change them every 100K. check the chain guide too. You might subscribe to alldata.com before you try doing it yourself.

 

maybe I got some bad info. However my sl chain started slapping when starting at almost exactly 100k and I use castrol full synthetic. I know it's considered wasteful, but I don't go over 6k between changes. My tech said this chain wear is normal for these rigs. sure they can last longer. But when asked about changing my slk230 chain, cause it has about 70k, he said those chains we're good for 200k.

 

just my 2 cents here,
yes the chain does stretch but have never replaced a chain for breaking, the plastic rails are what causes the " chain to break" chains never break. when the rails break it gives to much slack and skips timing causing the pistons to hit the valves.
Jerry

 

thanks guys. because i do not drive my car much except a few days a week in the spring and summer i only change my oil 2 times per year. i average 6-7 k per year. i use high mileage oil at changes beecause i have over 130 k on it. if the rails are going, or the chain is getting weak will i hear some type of noise or if the guides and chain get ready to go will i create problems with my car (blow engine)?

 

Roger,
you can only see 2 rails and that is if you remove both valve covers, as far as noise , if in the morning when you start your car you hear what sounds like marbles then in my opinion i would replace chain tensioner

Jerry