🔧 GLE - Timing Belt Replacement

Your GLE350 does not use a timing belt. The 3.5L V6 uses a timing chain, which is lubricated by engine oil and typically is not replaced on a routine interval like a belt.

If you’re hearing rattling on cold start, have a check-engine light for cam timing, or suspect internal timing issues, that’s a timing chain system repair (much bigger job than a belt).

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 10-16 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool fully before working near the radiator and exhaust.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental cranking.
• ⚠️ Support the SUV with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ A timing chain job can cause severe engine damage if timing is off; if you can’t lock the cams/crank correctly, stop and tow it.
• ⚠️ Keep the work area extremely clean; dirt in the timing cover can contaminate oil passages.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Metric socket set (8mm-18mm)
• Torx socket set (E-Torx and Torx T20-T60)
• 1/4" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• Serpentine belt tool or long 17mm wrench
• Trim clip removal tool
• Drain pan (at least 10 quarts)
• Funnel
• Gasket scraper (plastic)
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner spray
• Mercedes-Benz timing lock tool kit (specialty)
• Crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty)
• OBD-II scan tool with live data (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain kit (primary chain, guides, tensioner) - Qty: 1
• Camshaft adjuster magnets (if leaking/oil-soaked) - Qty: 2
• Front timing cover gasket/seal set - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft front seal - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gaskets (left/right) - Qty: 2
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Engine oil (MB-approved full synthetic) - Qty: 8-9 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (MB-approved) - Qty: 2-3 gallons premix equivalent
• RTV silicone sealant (OEM-approved) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Disconnect the battery: use a 10mm socket to remove the negative terminal and isolate it.
• Raise the front and support with jack stands at proper lift points.
• Plan for downtime: this job often takes a weekend for a first-timer.
• “Timing lock tools” hold the engine at exact TDC.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm what your GLE uses

• There is no timing belt service on your GLE; it uses a timing chain inside the engine.
• If your goal was routine maintenance, stop here—there’s nothing to “replace” like a belt.
• If you have symptoms (rattle/codes/oil leaks), continue with the chain-service outline below.

Step 2: Scan for cam/crank timing symptoms

• Plug in an OBD-II scan tool with live data (specialty) and check for cam correlation/timing codes.
• Record freeze-frame data and any related oil pressure or cam adjuster codes.
• Write codes down before clearing anything.

Step 3: Remove lower shields and drain fluids

• Remove splash shields using a trim clip removal tool and Torx sockets (E-Torx and Torx T20-T60).
• Place a drain pan and drain coolant per the radiator drain method you have access to.
• Drain engine oil using a metric socket set (8mm-18mm) and replace the drain plug washer if applicable.

Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt and front drive items

• Release belt tension with a serpentine belt tool or long 17mm wrench and remove the belt.
• Remove any front accessories and brackets blocking the front timing cover using a metric socket set (8mm-18mm) and Torx socket set (E-Torx and Torx T20-T60).
• Bag and label bolts by component so they go back to the right locations.

Step 5: Set the engine to TDC and lock timing

• Rotate the engine by hand using a breaker bar on the crank bolt until cylinder 1 is at TDC on compression.
• Install the Mercedes-Benz timing lock tool kit (specialty) to lock the crankshaft and camshafts. This prevents timing slip.
• If locks do not install cleanly, do not force them—recheck crank position.

Step 6: Remove valve covers and front timing cover

• Remove valve covers using a metric socket set (8mm-18mm) and Torx socket set (E-Torx and Torx T20-T60).
• Remove the crank pulley/harmonic balancer using a crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty) and a breaker bar.
• Remove the front timing cover fasteners with E-Torx sockets, then gently separate the cover using a plastic gasket scraper.
• Clean sealing surfaces with brake cleaner spray and shop rags; do not gouge aluminum.

Step 7: Replace chain, guides, and tensioner

• Relieve and remove the tensioner using the correct socket from your metric socket set (8mm-18mm).
• Remove chain guides using Torx sockets.
• Transfer timing marks carefully and install the new chain and guides from the timing chain kit.
• Install the new tensioner and verify chain slack is correct.
• Never rotate the engine with locks removed.

Step 8: Re-seal and reassemble

• Install the new crankshaft front seal and front timing cover gasket/seal set.
• Apply RTV silicone sealant only at required joints/corners (do not over-apply).
• Reinstall the timing cover and fasteners using a torque wrench and torque to Mercedes-Benz specification.
• Reinstall valve covers with new gaskets using a torque wrench and torque to Mercedes-Benz specification.
• Reinstall crank pulley using the crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty) and a torque wrench; torque to Mercedes-Benz specification.

Step 9: Refill fluids and reinstall shields

• Refill with engine oil (MB-approved full synthetic) and install a new oil filter using a metric socket set (8mm-18mm) as needed.
• Refill cooling system with MB-approved coolant using a funnel.
• Reinstall lower shields using Torx sockets and the trim clip removal tool.

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✅ After Repair

• Reconnect the battery using a 10mm socket.
• Start the engine and listen closely for abnormal chain noise; shut off immediately if it rattles loudly.
• Check for oil and coolant leaks around the timing cover, valve covers, and crank seal.
• Use the OBD-II scan tool with live data (specialty) to confirm no cam/crank correlation faults return.
• Recheck fluid levels after the first heat cycle and short test drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $3,000-$6,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $500-$1,500 (parts only)

You Save: $2,500-$4,500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 10-16 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.