The chain in the 103 is reputed to be a relatively reliable item, when I
mean relative I am speaking of the M102 which formed the basis of 103.
The 103 is a smoother, more balanced motor that does not chew chains as much
as the 102.
If you don't mind me asking Peter, what forms your basis for stating that
misadjusted valves influence the motor in such a way? From what I know
misadjusted valves tend to behave the same across the rev range, sure more
noticable at low revs but affect the engine at all revs. Poor fuel economy
is a sign of valves out of adjustment.
However this is not to say that they do not wear. Any idea of how much work
the chain has done?
In my experience these motors do tend to be a bit sluggish at low rpm's but
work better in the higher rev range. This is part of the design.
One thing to check is the timing advance and retard, as far as I know this
is all done by the little black box which sits in the engine bay, on my 201
there is a vaccum line going to it. Does yours have a vaccy line?
The other possibility is fuel supply(not pump or filter but the fuel
distributor sensor plate sticking) or perhaps wonky O2 sensor. I have
recently build a tester for the O2 sensor and seeing that they are cheap to
make, I may hardwire one into my 201.
Hendrik
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Frederick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 2:30 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] sluggish running 300Se.
Check the timing chain, they dont' last all that long in an M103
(single row chain!), and your symptoms sound a great deal like late
valve timing -- the power is still there, but it doesn't show up until
high rpm.
Peter
