This Modern Engine Issue Can Wreck Your Next Build... Timing Chain Nightmare On Our ML350 Project

Episode 1: • Whipple Supercharger S...
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2108 W. Ferry Road Unit 102, Naperville IL 60563

[@Astro9320]

I dont know why I like the idea of it being project Karen

[@FluidMotorUnion]

We are liking this

[@Astro9320]

@@FluidMotorUnion now you just need the custom plate

[@FluidMotorUnion]

please e-mail us at [e-mail] with your hoodie size and address as her name is Karen

[@kbcarroll]

Had a GLK350 with that motor. It was a very peppy and fun little motor. Loved it. Never gave a single issue.

[@ctravis595]

As someone who owns a foreign auto repair shop, I appreciate the honest takes on things. A lot of forum posts and KZbin videos will make 8 oem labor hour jobs look like they can be done in 45 minutes and the average viewer will start to believe most mechanics are just overcharging, and that it’s a good idea for anybody to take a risk on a project.

[@j.harvey3228]

Glad to see an honest take on serious car repairs by a stand up shop owner that employs good mechanics (not parts replacers). 2 great take aways: you disclosed how much your shop would charge to do this job and the fact that you don't pay per-job-hours. Good stuff i look forward to your videos.

[@kchan333]

Chains need good lubrication. Manufactures suggested oil change intervals are too long... cut them to at least half and the chains will be happier.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

^^^ this guy knows whats up

[@LilYeshua]

Remarkable. It would be nice to go back to just having one timing chain driving one cam. The worst thing I've had to deal with was having a worn out chain and it jumping timing which in itself wouldn't have been disastrous

[@IGY6MJ]

How many times I wish I had taken the path your customer did. I hate giving up and apparently love tossing money away. Definitely different for me as a DIY in my home garage. Wishing everyone an amazing weekend!

[@j-er6yn]

Great build look forward to the progress. You guys are fun to watch

[@totallybonkers]

OJ!!! Love seeing the ML350 on the channel, as I have a GLE (basically the same vehicle). Surprised MB was still using the same actuator supplier that led to all the issues from earlier years, but this does have 200k+ miles on it. Even my nieces c250 had the actuator issue (at 125k miles) and I had to replace the actuators and chain on it. The lower control arm bushings are shot on my GLE with only 54k miles... The quality of MB might force me to switch to a Lexus for my next SUV. The GX550 is looking sweet!

[@vrydstrbd]

Great series, I'm locked in now

[@dannoyes4493]

If it drives? Hell, I'm excited if it starts! That girl gonna be needing some credit cards with pretty high limits... Therefore, the name should be Zadie. Great video, as usual... but I miss the sausage. Well Done.

[@PHILOMATHY_MARKETING]

I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK!

[@rubyred93chev]

_A couple of highlights here that make 'Fluid MotorUnion' a place to take your vehicle: O.J. Lopez - owner, and two, the structure of how the technician is paid is why this shop is really focused on the customer. (I remember when my former '68 GTO convertible one day just decided to spin its timing chain off, I was like WTF. Gee whiz, I sure miss that GOAT though)._

[@CM-tc6pp]

Project Silver Surfer

[@uisperfectemail9720]

So could we assume that a faulty vanos solenoid could cause timing equipment wear, camshafts, etc.? Love your summary on what an unsuspecting buyer of that motor would be. 😂

[@kraignadjkovic5494]

This vehicle definitely doesn’t have VANOS problems since it’s not a BMW.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

i know what you meant by Vanos, but can't really assume that from our experience. The amount of times the solenoid fixes the cars with those faults is roughly 50%. We reused the solenoids on this build actually, so it was solely the actuator. But can a faulty solenoid cause a actuator to more quickly fail? Unsure. We will keep paying attention in the future to these repairs and try to see if we can identify a clear pattern.

[@azpaquin]

OJ and team. You are a class act and are of amazing integrity. How you explain the risks, what you would do for your personal build vs what you will sell a customer is what a good business is all about. Can’t wait for the rest of the build.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

stay tuned...

[@206stonner]

LegitStreetCars loves O.J. The blue GMC parking lot dream has potential.

[@flacostacos3144]

Love the vid! Keep it up studs!

[@Riverguide33]

Sick Merc.

[@hidefguys]

I love the 22:24 honest response. Keep up the good work and videos. Will be following and watching as long as you keep delivering. Thanks

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thank you! Will do!

[@RonnieT123]

Excellent video. Unfortunately I have a GL450 with the death rattle

[@2001chevycamaross]

another great video, i forwarded it to a friend who swears timing chains are the best thing since slice bread since you dont have any "maintenance" for them. also, if you are going full commitment with the comedy, im expecting you to be dipping sausages in yogurt for the gains in the next video.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

you really get us lol

[@onnovannoort7690]

Just did the chain, Guides, balance chain and tensioner on my car, what a nightmare on side placed engines. Especially when you don't do it that much. Good for another 150k. Great video, love the series!

[@7477238]

Yes they are a challenge. We had to do a Ford Flex Ecoboost water pump and timing chain. Total pain but runs great now.

[@manualgarage]

Great insight with the problems related to this engine, looking forward to seeing the rest of the transformation✌️

[@kevin9c1]

Maybe address the oil pressure reducing solenoid that this engine generation introduced. And then unplug it. I created a thread on the W212 AMG forum (MB world) that discusses this on the M157 application but the M276 people figured it out before my thread.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Yes that got replaced as part of our "surprise rebuild", but if you could drop a link to the thread that would be helpful to those stopping through for more info.

[@joeethereal2968]

Those "Triton" series engines from Ford, 2.7 v6 from Chrysler, GM's 3.1, The TH-700R4 and it's later variants; 4L60e, 4L65e, Cadillac's Northstar.

[@waynekingston7772]

Great vid guys! 😊

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rona1144]

This brings back fond memories. A couple years and 40,000 miles ago I peeled the onion of layers to replace the timing chain set on my 4.6 2v. One of the tensioners had worn through the guide and was making a horrendous noise. Fun stuff.

[@wadesautoresto1450]

I had this same thing happen on my 4.6 2V. Caught it from a Blackstone oil analysis. New chains and guides, and ready for another 130k+ miles.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

OH MAN... did you save it in time?!

[@SavedbyHim]

Timing chain issues started when auto makers went from double gang chains to single. Emmisions and efficiency regulations are severely affecting reliability

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Double chains increased drag and noise, which decreased efficiency. So much worry about what goes into the air, and very little consideration to what is being left in the ground and landfills, and the emissions it takes to produce the vehicle needed to replace the constantly breaking ones.

[@MrSteveb8]

I bought new driver seat cover from a shop in Texas. Identical to the passenger seat in my GLK.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

it would be great if you could drop a link, were going to need one!

[@MaddMattsGarage]

Money merc madness

[@user-ne4is9ct9z]

I would have all my cars services by Fluid Motor Union if I lived any where near Naperville

[@chrisej5987]

R&R'ing an engine in a benz is waaaay easier that a full timing rebuild 😅 You could probably do 2 for the price of that timing rabbit hole 😮

[@FluidMotorUnion]

That's the gamble you make. Easier for a shop or a DIYer to make, but customers take this risk all the time. Problem is when overzealous shops take the customers money do the repair, only to have something else break shorty after. Engine is often a smart way to go, but if you go used, what happens when that issue occurs 10k miles later? We've seen it all and its almost always a gamble on a old car. New engine? your trans dies 8kmile later... Sometimes its best to walk away and let it be someone else's hand...

[@Mohydej1]

The 167 platform is totally different from what I know. It’s the 2020+ chassis. I think you might be referring to the face lifted 166 15-19 version.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

You are correct in your year/model assessment, but our research surprised us in the closeness of many components, which makes this feasible. We will go over it in upcoming videos.

[@tonyarnold4346]

Call it Hoosier, since it’s from Indiana.

[@Chebovino23]

The other issue is the toner wheels tend to move on the camshafts. You can reposition them and tig weld them on so they don’t move. 276 engine is expensive engine to rebuild. Also Mercedes don’t use oil pressure sensor from 1996 until this day. Oil pressure will never come on. The adjusters like to wear out internally. How do you feel about vaico or febi adjusters?

[@GMONEYFIFTYFOUR]

Silver spoon fed baby

[@TheKennedysFamily]

Quicksilver or Silver Surf

[@randomname7636]

For the algo brother

[@kevin9c1]

Any tips for checking the performance of the high pressure fuel pump? How about injector balance, as I guess these can carbon up?

[@FluidMotorUnion]

We use diagnostic equipment to measure the value of the smooth running of the cylinders and the fuel pressure. You’d need the right tool to do that.

[@mil-specgarage55]

ML not your average Mother in Law build series.

[@GrockleTD]

13:28 is that the LSC widebody mustard-mobile?

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Yup!

[@GrockleTD]

@@FluidMotorUnion it's always fun seeing things like the Dijon Drifter in the background as a sort of easter egg

[@marisafmu47]

Aretha’s chain of fools playing in my head…chain chain chain

[@FluidMotorUnion]

now its in our heads

[@lutha1720]

if i had to do this at home I would have bought another motor and given it a full service chains and all. or just replace all 4 cams and install new chain and guides.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

at that point... you are tearing the new engine down far enough to check and rebuild anything that would be worn on the old engine... meaning you just spent 3k+, plus the cams, chains and guides... to have no guarantee the same stuff is wrong on the lower engine... would it be cheaper to just get the bearings and piston rings on the old engine at that point? These are the tough calls that need to be made.

[@Nihil1st1347]

I believe that blue efficiency referres to added ammonia to further clean the exhaust gas. When such a car passes by, it smells horribly.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Bluetec is the ammonia adding tech on diesels. Blue efficiency is a silly marketing tactic on the gas engines. No place to add ammonia on them.

[@SavedbyHim]

BlueEFFICIENCY is a trademark name Mercedes uses for its most eco-friendly and economical passenger cars. The package of measures aims to reduce rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag and to optimise its engine technology further. You might be thinking of the Adblue urea injection for diesel cars

[@c.h.r.i.s2253]

But...wont Pounding on it with a hammer possibly lead to it being somewhat loose and just slip again at some point? Safest thing probably would have been to do both sides new. No?

[@FluidMotorUnion]

the safest for sure

[@kevin9c1]

Is it possible most of the wear was just from 200k of oil changes every 10k miles?

[@SavedbyHim]

I think you're spot on

[@FluidMotorUnion]

No as the actuator and cam failure is common on much lower mileage vehicles, and cam failure is always evident on the side with the failed cam actuator. But long worn out oil has loses the effectiveness of the additives that aid in the protection of metal surfaces, so that doesn't help. It most definitely speeds up the failure of the actuator, which is the cause of the cam, but they can fail on there own, and 200k is actually really pretty good. in fact were repairing one on a wagon with 90k mile and excellent service history.

[@hillyhindleg]

Hello algorithm

[@NXT_LVL]

Chains break, Belts stretch, lifters tick and fail, valve steam guides drop.. nature of the beast. Machinal things never last forever. Even less likely in todays scope. Big difference between wear and bad engineering, I know plenty of Trion 5.4 cam phaser Ford stories.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

when you fix a few under 100k, it makes it easier to chalk it up to the engineering... but like i say in the video, hard to blame the engineers. There is no real way to simulate time and mileage, without time passing and mileage accruing.

[@ashishpatel350]

project 1993 white Ford Bronco

[@brandonmblackburn]

“And also I saw him”

[@justinwebster7761]

Comment for the algorithm

[@cupompa]

M276 engine isn't recommended now? :(

[@SavedbyHim]

Stick to oil changes every 6 to 8k miles

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Wouldn't say that! All things considered this engine made it to almost 200k miles before the failure. Plus other than this issue, these things are pretty solid. Definitely keep up with those oil changes through it'll help you in the long run, 5-6k miles, don't go longer... Video coming soon on oil change intervals and their importance.

[@-wd40-66]

Project Ex Wife..she just keeps taking money

[@OJLFMU]

You don’t eat yogurt with a ladle.

[@victorsabala2108]

It just a poor design from engineers aspects and over complicated things

[@tjts1]

Try rebuilding an om642 (pistons out) in your garage. Way more time than makes sense.😂