An OM668 diesel enquiry is different from an A-Class badge enquiry
A Mercedes OM668 timing chain kit with gears is a specific parts enquiry for an older 1.7 CDI diesel. The A160 or A170 badge alone is not enough to choose it. RunningRoo's catalogue also contains petrol A-Class packages and later diesel packages, so a search that stops at the badge can produce a convincing-looking but inappropriate result. Begin with the engine designation and the complete vehicle identification.
The current Mercedes OM668 timing chain kit with gears at RunningRoo advertises a package for W168 A160 and W414 Vaneo 1.7 CDI applications, with additional applications described in the product text. A matching matching RunningRoo eBay listing is available. Both are purchasing references to discuss with the supplier; neither replaces a manufacturer parts lookup for the actual vehicle.
RunningRoo is Australian-operated in Blackburn, Melbourne. Friendly support, local pickup by appointment and fast dispatch for available stock help owners and workshops coordinate a confirmed order. Call 0425 890 125 with the VIN, engine code, OE references and the workshop's requested repair scope.
Establish the diesel engine before comparing parts
Mercedes-Benz's official history of the first A-Class identifies the 168 model series and includes the A170 CDI in its historical material. See Mercedes-Benz official history of the first A-Class. That manufacturer reference establishes the model-generation context, not the compatibility of this aftermarket kit. The OM668 application in the retail description still needs to be matched to the actual engine suffix, VIN and requested OE references through the workshop's parts information.
The distinction from petrol models matters because a model name can outlive an engine configuration. A person searching for an A160 timing kit may encounter both petrol and diesel descriptions. Start the enquiry with “1.7 CDI, OM668” only after those details have been established from the vehicle or reliable records. If they have not been established, ask the workshop to identify them first.
Likewise, do not treat an OM640 listing as a newer version of the same shopping choice. The different designation is a reason to pause and recheck. The fact that two packages both contain chains and guides does not make them substitutes. Keep the engine family, vehicle generation and requested part references attached to every quotation you compare.
The seven listed pieces and their purchasing implications
The RunningRoo description lists one chain, one cam gear, one crank gear, one tensioner, one tensioning bracket and two guides. This is a seven-piece advertised package when those quantities are counted individually. That count is useful for checking an order, but it should not be expanded into a promise that the box contains everything required to complete a workshop repair.
In particular, the description does not itemise all sealing materials, replacement fasteners, fluids or any additional components that a technician may find necessary. Ask the workshop to prepare its required-items list, then compare that list with the current supplied contents. The supplier can confirm the package; the technician determines the repair scope after diagnosis and inspection.
| Advertised item | Listed quantity | Question before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain | One | Which current specification is supplied for the confirmed engine? |
| Cam gear | One | Does the reference match the workshop request? |
| Crank gear | One | Is the supplied version correct for the engine suffix? |
| Tensioner | One | What installation information applies to this supplied part? |
| Tensioning bracket | One | Is this the exact bracket required by the identified assembly? |
| Guides | Two | Are both required guide positions covered? |
Why the Vaneo application needs its own check
The product description includes Vaneo alongside W168 A-Class entries, but its Vaneo line also contains a model-code detail that should not be accepted without verification. Do not copy a passenger-car code into a Vaneo order simply because it appears in the listing. Send the actual W414 vehicle identification and ask RunningRoo to confirm the application against it.
An owner may know the van as a Vaneo 1.7 CDI and have no reason to memorise its full type code. That is normal. A photograph of the identification plate and the relevant registration or service information is more useful than a guessed code. Tell the supplier which fields come from the vehicle and which come from older paperwork.
This is particularly important if the engine has been replaced. The chassis record describes the vehicle as built, while the installed engine may require further identification. A supplier should receive both sets of information. Keep the original VIN in the enquiry and add the replacement engine evidence rather than discarding one identity in favour of the other.
A gear-inclusive package is a scope choice
The phrase “with gears” explains one difference between packages. It does not prove that both gears on every engine must be replaced, nor does it prove that a cheaper chain-only package is sufficient. The right comparison starts with the components the technician has judged necessary for this repair.
Ask whether the quote includes replacement of the cam gear and crank gear, and whether the proposed package covers those exact items. If the technician plans to retain a component, request the inspection basis for that decision. If it will be replaced, obtain the relevant part reference before ordering. This avoids selecting a package only because it has more pieces in the photograph.
For a workshop purchasing on behalf of a customer, the clearest order is a written description tied to the VIN and repair job. For an owner supplying parts, confirm that the workshop agrees to the package before buying it. A shared specification reduces the risk of a dispute over whether a missing item belonged to the supplier's box or the workshop's separate materials allowance.
The information a useful diagnosis should produce
A useful diagnosis should explain why the timing assembly is being considered and what evidence justifies the proposed work. Ask the technician to distinguish a reported noise from a confirmed component fault. You do not need to demand a particular test; you need to understand the result of the vehicle-specific diagnostic process and how it connects to the parts list.
Provide the history as accurately as possible. Was the concern present before recent servicing? Does it occur during starting, after warming up or under a particular load? Has the engine previously been repaired? These observations help the workshop decide how to reproduce the concern without the owner having to name the failed part.
Do not use an internet sound clip as a substitute for inspecting the vehicle. Different recordings can make unrelated noises seem similar, and a product page cannot establish the condition of the engine's other systems. If the workshop recommends further checks before approving a chain order, that is a useful distinction between identifying a symptom and deciding the repair.
Prepare for the job without inventing a repair procedure
The workshop should obtain the correct Mercedes repair information for the identified engine and the supplier instructions relevant to the components supplied. This article does not provide timing positions, torque values, tensioner-release steps or a universal sequence. Those details should come from the actual procedure, not be assembled from several unrelated engines.
From the owner's perspective, the preparation questions are practical. Has the workshop allowed for the necessary tools? Are the separately required materials available? Is there a clear point at which additional findings will be reported before the job expands? Agreeing these points makes the quotation more understandable without asking the owner to supervise technical operations.
Keep the Mercedes OM668 timing chain kit with gears at RunningRoo and matching RunningRoo eBay listing references with the job notes. If a question arises during receipt or inspection, send the current package label and photographs to RunningRoo. Friendly local support is most useful when the discrepancy can be described precisely, including the item expected and the item actually received.
Collection, delivery and keeping an older vehicle usable
Older diesel vehicles are often maintained around real transport needs. A family may need the car for daily trips; a small business may need the Vaneo for work. Tell the supplier whether the vehicle is awaiting diagnosis or is already dismantled. The urgency should influence logistics, but it should not remove the fitment check.
For Melbourne local pickup, confirm stock and arrange an appointment before travelling to Blackburn. Call 0425 890 125 and have the order details ready. For dispatch, give the delivery postcode and ask when the confirmed package can leave. Dispatch timing and carrier delivery timing are separate, and neither by itself predicts when the workshop can finish the vehicle.
If the required package is not available within the preferred window, ask about the actual options rather than substituting an unverified kit. A short delay with a confirmed specification can be easier to manage than a wrong order that has to travel back and be replaced. Do not buy a different engine's package simply because it looks similar and can arrive sooner.
An organised handover protects the repair record
Before installation, compare the received components with the agreed seven-piece description and the workshop's requirements. Keep the original packaging until the technician has accepted the parts. Photograph any uncertainty while the parts are unused, and record the supplier's response. That creates a clear trail if the listing, label or contents need clarification.
After completion, ask for an invoice that identifies the work actually carried out. It should be possible to tell which timing components were renewed, which related materials were used and whether additional defects were addressed. Keep that information with the engine identity and service history.
A future owner or technician will benefit from an accurate record more than from a vague note saying “timing done.” For an older W168 or Vaneo, clear documentation also prevents the next enquiry from starting again with just the model badge. RunningRoo can help with the parts side of that record while the workshop documents the inspection and repair.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the right kit for every A160?
No. The advertised package concerns 1.7 CDI applications associated with OM668. Petrol A160 models must not be included by assumption. Provide the full VIN and engine code, and obtain confirmation of the exact package before purchasing.
Does the seven-piece count include seals and oil?
The current description lists the chain, two gears, tensioner, bracket and two guides. It does not itemise a complete workshop consumables package. Ask the workshop what else is required and have those items quoted separately if they are not confirmed as included.
Can a Vaneo use the same order as a W168?
Only after the actual vehicle and engine have been checked. The product lists both application families, but shared listing space is not proof for every derivative. Supply the Vaneo identification directly and ask the supplier to resolve any inconsistent model-code wording.
Is the kit described as genuine Mercedes-Benz?
Do not infer genuine manufacturer origin from a vehicle brand in the product title. Ask for the supplied brand and current product information. The title identifies the intended application; it does not by itself establish who manufactured the components or any vehicle-manufacturer endorsement.
How can I order from Melbourne?
Use the linked RunningRoo website or eBay product, then coordinate the confirmed order with the team. Melbourne pickup is by appointment, and fast dispatch is available for confirmed stock. Call 0425 890 125 for friendly support before arranging the workshop's parts-dependent schedule.
Resolve the Vaneo application line as a separate question
A Vaneo enquiry should not inherit a W168 confirmation merely because both appear in the same advertisement. The retrieved description includes a Vaneo line with a model-code entry that needs clarification. Send the actual vehicle identity and ask RunningRoo to confirm the application against the requested parts. If the available information does not resolve it, wait for the workshop's manufacturer-catalogue check before purchasing.
This is also a useful way to compare seller responses. A helpful answer should address the supplied vehicle and the seven-piece package, not simply repeat the headline. Keep any clarification of model codes, engine details or included gears with the receipt. That record gives the receiving technician something specific to check and prevents an unresolved application question from becoming an assumption during installation.
If the vehicle has been imported or repaired previously, explain what documentation is available and what remains unknown. Missing history does not justify guessing; it identifies the information the workshop needs to establish. A carefully bounded confirmation is more useful than a broad list of vehicles that might share some terminology.
Related RunningRoo video
Watch Timing Chain Rattle: Wear Symptoms & When to Replace on RunningRoo AutoParts. This is general background about timing-chain concerns, not an installation tutorial for the engine in this article. The video does not verify this product’s compatibility or replace the manufacturer’s diagnostic procedure. Use it to prepare questions for the workshop, then base the repair and order on the actual vehicle findings.
Sources and product information
Mercedes-Benz official history of the first A-Class. Manufacturer material supports the specific identification or design context described above. Package contents and advertised applications are taken from the linked retailer listings and remain subject to confirmation for the order. Neither a historical source nor a sales title independently approves aftermarket fitment.
For current stock, friendly support and a VIN / engine code / OE-reference enquiry, visit the RunningRoo product page, compare the corresponding eBay offer or call 0425 890 125. Contact RunningRoo to arrange Blackburn, Melbourne pickup by appointment or discuss fast dispatch for available stock.