Where to Fix Mercedes Plastic Guide Rail Failure in Humble?

Have you ever wondered about the process your Mercedes engine goes through to ignite and produce that horsepower you have come to love and expect? There is a specific synchronistic timing of components involved, and one essential part to the equation is the plastic guide rail. This component helps to secure the timing chain while it performs its function. However, based on the material and the engine’s working condition, this plastic guide rail can fail, leading to engine problems.

This rail guide basically has to function properly for your engine to run smoothly, so fixing its issues as soon as they appear should top your list. In this guide, we will address the common causes of guide rail failure in a car and how to recognize them.

Common Reasons for Plastic Guide Rail Failure in Your Mercedes

The plastic guide rail in a car’s engine helps to support and maintain tension on the timing chain. The timing chain transfers power from the crankshaft to the camshaft to control the opening and closing of the engine valves. If the plastic guide rail fails, it allows free movement for the timing chain, affecting the engine valves and thus, the engine’s combustion process.

Here are some common causes of this plastic guide rail failure in cars:

• Excessive Heat: One of the leading causes of damage to an engine’s plastic guide rail is extreme heat. When the engine is running, it produces a lot of heat due to its energy-intensive process. This heat can easily degrade or melt the plastic material of the guide rail, causing its failure.
• Physical Impact: Another reason why your car’s plastic guide rail could fail is physical impact. Physical impact from contact with rough road surfaces, bumps, and other external factors can damage the guide rail. If you consistently hit this guide rail against these rough surfaces, it will eventually break, setting the timing chain loose.
• Poor Maintenance: Lack of maintenance is a leading cause of several car issues and the plastic guide rail is not left out in this case. While it is normal for some car components and systems to lose their function over time due to aging, you can delay this by following a strict maintenance routine. However, if you neglect your car and its systems, you will have car problems like a damaged plastic guide rail sooner rather than later.

Symptoms of Plastic Engine Guide Rail Failures

The following signs can help you recognize a plastic guide rail failure in your car:

• Unusual Engine Noises: If you hear unusual noises from the engine bay, then it could be due to a damaged plastic guide rail. If the plastic guide rail fails, it no longer holds the timing chain in place. As a result, the timing chain can move freely, hitting everything in its path; this is what causes the loud tapping or rattling sounds you hear.
• Poor Engine Performance: Another sign to indicate a damaged plastic guide rail in your car is reduced or poor engine performance. This happens when the guide rail fails to maintain tension on the timing chain. The result of this is that the engine valves do not open and close as required, thereby affecting the air-fuel balance in the engine. The combustion process that provides the engine power fails in this case, leading to poor performance like rough idling, misfiring, and poor acceleration.
• Oil Leaks: If you notice that oil leaks from your car’s engine area, then it is likely that the plastic guide rail is faulty. A faulty guide rail will not support the timing chain properly; the free movement of this timing chain can cause damage to other engine components that are carrying oil. This can then cause oil leaks from these components.

Where to Fix Your Mercedes Plastic Guide Rail Issues in Humble

Most plastic guide rail problems in cars require a replacement rather than a repair. While this does not cost so much money, ignoring it can drain your pockets as the faults can cause damage to the timing chain and other engine components.

As soon as you see the signs of plastic guide rail failure in your car, visit our mechanics to have a look. Motorwerks Auto Group is your automobile shop to handle your Mercedes issues. We use all resources, tools, and technology to provide the best solutions for our customers, from simple checks and maintenance to complex repairs and replacements of parts. If you are in or near Humble, TX, schedule an appointment today, and let us solve your Mercedes problems.

* Black Mercedes-Benz SLC Car image credit goes to: franz12.