Author Topic: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?  (Read 2160 times)

CJHenderson

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, AR, Benton
  • Posts: 433
Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« on: August 11, 2020, 00:06:19 »
Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner to remove the head, or can I take the cam gear off to get the chain out of the way to remove the head?
1970 280SL/8 W113 101624 miles.
1950 MG-TD
2021 Harley Davidson CVO Trike

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7312
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2020, 06:34:43 »
Yes, you can get the head off without removing the chain tensioner.  I do not break the chain either, unless it is going to  be replaced. Installing the head is much easier with the tensioner removed.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

CJHenderson

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, AR, Benton
  • Posts: 433
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2020, 08:32:17 »
Ok thanks I'll go ahead and remove the tension arm
1970 280SL/8 W113 101624 miles.
1950 MG-TD
2021 Harley Davidson CVO Trike

MarkCan

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Canada, Ontario, Mississauga
  • Posts: 256
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2020, 21:09:03 »
My chain tensioner has been removed previously. The bracket with he sprocket is still sitting in the head. It all moves free yet the shaft on which the sprocket assembly is sitting does not. I tried the puller, I tried the 6mm bolt to wiggle it but no luck. I did not apply any serious force I figure I’ll ask first. Is there something special about the removal of this shaft?

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2396
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2020, 22:01:24 »
Have you tried threading a bolt in it and pull it out? Watch for not losing the spring, once it moves.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Benz Dr.

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7137
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2020, 23:25:05 »
I've found that there are far more reasons for removing the tensioner than there is for leaving it in place.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

MarkCan

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Canada, Ontario, Mississauga
  • Posts: 256
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2020, 01:59:21 »
I've found that there are far more reasons for removing the tensioner than there is for leaving it in place.
Well, I couldn’t agree more. Now, how do I get this thing out?🤔

MarkCan

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Canada, Ontario, Mississauga
  • Posts: 256
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #7 on: December 23, 2020, 02:01:33 »
Have you tried threading a bolt in it and pull it out? Watch for not losing the spring, once it moves.
I tried the puller, I tried the 6mm bolt to wiggle it but no luck. I did not apply any serious force.

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7312
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2020, 03:33:51 »
Make yourself a little puller. Find a very large nut with an opening big enough for the pin to slide through. Next find some washers and a bolt that threads into the pin. Place the nut over the opening, add washers to the opposite side and thread the bolt into the threaded pin. When you tighten the bolt the pin will be pulled out of the head through the large nut. You may have to stop once or twice to add more washers as you run out of threads.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

MarkCan

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • Canada, Ontario, Mississauga
  • Posts: 256
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2020, 13:00:10 »
Make yourself a little puller. Find a very large nut with an opening big enough for the pin to slide through. Next find some washers and a bolt that threads into the pin. Place the nut over the opening, add washers to the opposite side and thread the bolt into the threaded pin. When you tighten the bolt the pin will be pulled out of the head through the large nut. You may have to stop once or twice to add more washers as you run out of threads.
Thank you,
Maybe I wasn’t clear enough, but I’ve done that.
I get the feeling like something is still preventing the movement of the pin.
I’ll spray some more penetrating fluid and try again.
We are talking about fairly light forces here, correct? No heavy duty tools 💪

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7312
Re: Is it necessary to remove the chain tensioner?
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2020, 14:31:05 »
Try warming the area with a heat gun.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback