SL\55\500 (02 -on) Cam Drive Belt or Chain

[jb12]

Does any one know if the the SL55 & 500 use belt or chain to drive the cam? and when they should be replaced?

Thanks

[sneijder]

Double chain, they don't need changing as a service measure - only if there's a problem. This never really happens on petrol Mercedes engines, the only time I ever get asked about chains is on old diesels when the chain guides start wobbling.

Do you have some sort of noise that's causing concern ?

[jb12]

Thanks for the reply, The only reason I was asking was that I am looking to purchase an SL55 AMG with 44k on the clock, so just wanted to make sure that it didn’t need replacing at the next service.

[jith]

sneijder said:

Double chain, they don't need changing as a service measure - only if there's a problem. This never really happens on petrol Mercedes engines, the only time I ever get asked about chains is on old diesels when the chain guides start wobbling.

Do you have some sort of noise that's causing concern ?

It did on the early 500s in '81 when they made the fatal error of fitting it with a simplex chain.
I did three of them in a row before they were recalled and changed to duplex!!
What a bloody mess!