Timing chain replacement: Mercedes-Benz eng. 5.4 (113.987, 113.988, 113.990, 113.991)

🧭 Before you start

Fits: platform codes 55, AMG, |, KOMPRESSOR, -L, -PULLMAN, -T, V8

• Opens: coolant, fuel
• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: locking tool

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• The paint on the camshaft gearwheel and chain must be aligned

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 43 workshop diagrams for 113.987

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Camshaft locking tool:
2. Remove the engine upper cover
3. Timing chain separating tools:
4. Turn the engine until the chain connecting link shows
5. Disconnect the chain

6. Note: Avoid bending, torsion or traction
7. Right cylinder head:
8. Vehicles with air filter fitted on the engine
9. Remove the crankcase breather hose from the air filter housing
10. Remove the air filter
11. Remove the ignition coils
12. Hall sensor
13. Remove the spark plugs
14. Vehicles with automatic transmission
15. Remove the automatic transmission dipstick tube
16. Vehicles with non-flexible fuel line:
17. Disconnect the fuel lines from the fuel rail
18. All vehicles:
19. The paint on the camshaft gearwheel and chain must be aligned
20. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the valve cover
21. Tighten the camshaft gearwheel
22. Remove the cylinder head cover
23. Stage 2:
24. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the valve cover
25. Remove the cylinder head cover
26. Remove the cooling fan
27. If necessary
28. Drain the coolant
29. Remove the camshaft gearwheels
30. During the removal of the camshaft gearwheel, the timing chain should remain in position
31. Turn the camshafts until the locking tools fit
32. Use a wrench
33. Remove the camshaft bearing bridge
34. Remove the bolts in the reverse order to that shown
35. Fit the locating bush onto the camshaft
36. Secure the chain
37. Use the special tool
38. Left cylinder head:
39. Secure the chain
40. Use the special tool
41. Separate the timing chain
42. Use the special tools to remove the timing chain pins
43. Pull the removed timing chain pins out of the chain separating tool
44. If necessary

Installation and checks

45. Installation sequence:
46. All vehicles:
47. Fit the timing chain onto the camshaft gearwheel
48. Fit the timing chain and camshaft gearwheel together
49. Lock the camshafts
50. Fit the timing chain onto the camshaft gearwheel
51. Check the camshaft timing marks
52. Tighten the camshaft gearwheels
53. Remove the drive belt
54. Stage 2:
55. Check the timing marks again
56. Remove the drive belt idler pulley
57. Right cylinder head:
58. Remove the camshaft locking tools
59. Refit the camshaft bearing bridge
60. Renew the bolt(s)
61. Tighten the bolts
62. Fit the compressor drive belt
63. Fit the coolant hoses
64. Refill the cooling system
65. Vehicles with air pump:
66. Renew the gasket
67. Refit the combination valve
68. All vehicles:
69. Right cylinder head:
70. Refit the cylinder head cover
71. Renew the gasket
72. Tighten the bolts
73. Check the gasket position
74. Reconnect the vacuum hose
75. Left cylinder head:
76. Refit the cylinder head cover
77. Renew the gasket
78. Tighten the bolts
79. Check the gasket position
80. Reconnect the crankcase breather hose
81. Reconnect the vacuum hose
82. Vehicles with automatic transmission
83. Refit the automatic transmission dipstick tube
84. Vehicles with non-flexible fuel line:
85. Reconnect the fuel line
86. All vehicles:
87. Refit the spark plugs
88. Refit the spark plug cables
89. Refit the ignition coil(s)
90. Vehicles with air filter fitted on the body
91. Refit the air filter housing
92. Refit the resonance duct
93. Reconnect the mass airflow meter
94. Refit the resonator
95. Vehicles with air filter fitted on the engine
96. Refit the air filter
97. Refit the left and right suction fan ducts
98. Refit the crankcase breather hose
99. All vehicles:
100. Refit the engine upper cover(s)
101. Reconnect the battery earth cable

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