scottonfire

I'm doing a valve cover gasket leak repair (actually a cylinder head gasket leak to be specific) on my 2005 C230. I got an after-market valve cover gasket kit. Now I'm questining the after-market gaskets b/c I read that, "on the M112 and M113 engines, the aftermarket Victor Reinz gaskets are too thin and don't seal." Same deal with the M271 engine???

RWDlifer

I've used Reinz valve cover gaskets on the M271 and on my previous 3 series as well, no problems. I also went with Reinz intake manifold gasket on the M271.

scottonfire

Thanks, RWD, that's what I was looking for! W/ regard to the valve cover gasket replacement on the M271, did you have to remove the 4 ignition coils? If so, did you have to disconnect the battery too?

RWDlifer

Yup, I did spark plugs too so I removed the coils. You have to remove the bolts holding the coils to remove the VC anyway, they are part of the VC bolts. I did not disconnect the battery though, no problems.....

scottonfire

Okay, good, I just don't wanna worry about the aftermath of a disconnected battery with the ECU. Now, if I'm not replacing spark plugs, but replacing the gaskets for the spark plugs, can I get away with not removing the coils?

ps. I've seen videos where they add some silicone to the seals and in the half moon parts. Would you recommend doing this or just dry?

RWDlifer

No, you cant remove the M271 VC gasket without removing the coils....the bolts that hold down the coils also hold down the VC gasket and should be tightened sequentially with the rest of the VC bolts. I also used a dab of silicone on the half moons, no leaks.

scottonfire

Okay, cool. Well, not cool I gotta remove the coils, but at least I know! My indy mechanic quoted me like $500 to do this so I'm pretty stoked to do it for $50. One of the things he was going to order to do the job was a timing cover gasket (it's a front, upper gasket leak). Did you replace any other gaskets except the one in the kit?

RWDlifer

Looks like you got it all.....the timing cover is a b@#ch to get to since it's wedged in between the cylinder head and the oil pan. To remove it, you have to remove one of those two, and both are a ton of work. What you might do is evenly check the timing cover bolts and make sure they are snug/torqued to specs. That gasket is not prone to leaking, it's not a rubber gasket like the VC gasket. When you are putting the VC gasket back on, clean the mating surfaces well and make sure you don't overtighten. Use a criss cross pattern (there is a diagram somewhere on this forum). Good luck....

scottonfire

Somebody else thinks that what the mechanic was going to replace was the front cover on the cylinder head. What do you think?

"The cylinder head cover sits on the top of this cover, thus the two gaskets make a "T" intersection. Once you get the head cover off, you can see this front cover, and if the leak is from it, remove the accessory belt and the thermostat and a few bolts."

RWDlifer

Did some searching around, seems there is a front cover where the cam magnets and thermostat attach. If you have a leak from this area then it seems a simple enough job. I highly doubt that though, a VC leak is more likely. The front/timing covers don't have gaskets, sealants are used.

Glyn M Ruck

You have an inline 4 so no problem there. For those with V6 models do not use Reinz. They don't fit & conform to required thickness in V6 & V8 models & cause leaks. You will see this complaint frequently on the W209 forum.

scottonfire

This is where the leak is coming from- the front! Still a cylinder head gasket leak? I took the engine cover off and it looked dry.

RWDlifer

Wow....that looks looks like a VC leak at the front and leaking cam magnets...

scottonfire

do i still have to take off the cylinder head gasket and use the valve cover gasket set to fix or does this change everything? Dealership said camshaft solenoid was replaced by previous owner so is it possible the leak's fixed?

Glyn M Ruck

It looks as though both cam magnets are leaking again. They should have fitted pigtales. Pull those plugs & look for signs of oil. Someone is BSing here. You need to stop those leaks before the engine harness becomes saturated.

scottonfire

I called MB- chick said they warranty their work for one year. Even if it's still an open recall? Sound like bill shlt to me. Is there any way to know if they really didn't fix it the first time??

scottonfire

I called MB USA. They said the camshaft solenoids were replaced July, 2011. I said I want them fixed since they shouldn't leak again after 2 1/2 years. The guy said he'll 'escalate' it and have some ******* call me w/ in 24 hours and they'll want me to bring it in to be diagnosed. I said I'm not paying for having it diagnosed either, so we'll see. I'd rather spend that money on replacing the solenoids myself b/c that's probably how much a diagnostic blah blah would cost anyway.

Glyn M Ruck

Good! This has been an ongoing problem. Take no nonesense from them. Be polite but absolutely firm.

scottonfire

Talked to some jacka$$ @ MB USA for 30 min's. So they want me to take it to MB dealership and of course pay for a diagnosis. Then MAYBE they'll fix it. F that!

I'm thinking of cleaning the engine, waiting till the leak comes back. If it is indeed the cam magnets, take it to dealership and say "LOOK, now can you verify it's a cam magnet leak (w/o charging me) so I can call back MB USA and get this taken care of."