e30t387

ok so i noticed that both valve cover gaskets had small leaks so i ordered them and i thought that they were going to be like the head gasket flat like i thought, they are rubber and looks like one end goes in a grove or somthing i havent taken it apart but just wanted to comfirm before i do it. anyone ever do one, is it hard?

StapleGun

Should not be a difficult job, only caveat be careful with those bolts/screws - they can cross thread very easily into the aluminum

DarthCY

Yeah, I got leaks too. Would be interested in some good info on this.

e30t387

i have done them on my e30 and vr6 its very simple, but should i use some kind of adhesive like that stuff that turns rubbery i know some people use that for a better seal, do you happen to know the name?? well they will cross thread into the aluminum if the motor is hot not as much if its cold correct?

Eurosport

i did one on a different car just last week
you can just use Permatex high temp gasket sealer from your local Schucks, Autozone, etc.
that's the product i used, very small amount only on the half moons

OPTIONII

actually most of the time are the valve cover baffles leaking, not the valve cover gaskets, I'd recommend get some rubber breather hoses as well, they are probably going to break when you remove the valve covers. So, get some M.B approve black silicon for the baffles as well.

e30t387

clueless on what your sayin, im pretty sure its the valve cover gaskets, at least thats what it looks like. probably a stupid question but what is a baffle. can i get that at any automotive store or do i have to get it from mb.

OPTIONII

the valve cover baffles on the top portion of the valve covers where the breather hoses connect to. They are sealed with black silicon, and 3 t25 torx screws, and make sure you don't over tighten the torx screws, they will snap very easily.

e30t387

ok i see what your saying, thanks a bunch.

1badamg

Make sure you use sealant. Can't stress this enough. Use the mbz stuff. Part # 003 989 98 20 10 Retail is about 27$

e30t387

yea i think i have some permatex laying around the garage somewhere, i just lost my lisence for 45 days so its sitting in my garage was thinking of supercharging it but im just trying to replace anything that i think needs to.

MBHustla858

my rt side valve cover was leaking and i put the gasket on it and it still leaked. then once i resealed the upper half i was all good. shouldn't take you more than 35 min tops. have fun.

e30t387

done, took me about an hour since i worked slow and clean , i let the permatex dry for a couple hours then ran the car no leaks, so im happy about that, now i just need to do the rest of the mods still deciding if i should stay n/a or go with the hps. so far ive gutted the intake box and i noticed a difference sounds nice too, i took out the cats and resignators and i felt a pretty big difference from that as well i love the way the car sounds and it still had the stock look to it, now i was thinking about sending out the ecu and getting the pulley set.

DarthCY

Thanks for the thread guys. I called a mechanic and asked them what it would cost and they quoted me 5 hours of labor. Looks like I'm going to be doing this myself. So I need 2x gaskets, sealer, and the valve cover baffles.

The list should go something like this:

1) Valve Cover Gasket x2.
P/N ? About $16-20 each.

2) Sealant
P/N 003 989 98 20 10 About $16.58 from oempartsdirect.com

3) Baffles
P/N ? $?

Can anybody fill in the part numbers for the baffles and gasket? The gaskets can be had from the dealer or:
http://www.autohausaz.com
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com

4) Torx size needed?

Just wanted to make sure this thread had good info in it for others and to make sure I have everything.

DarthCY

Just bumping this to see if anybody has the part numbers for the baffles. I'm hopefully going to do this soon.

NitrogenBalance

The baffles are fine, I think one of the posters above was saying that they are prone to leaking also. Its just the area within the valve cover that is to prevent excessive CC oil/stuff from exiting the breather hoses. Should be the same as replacing the valve cover gaskets. You could make your own with the proper permatex and filling the groove side just a little. Torque down and there is your gasket. Good luck man, maybe post some pics of the job. I've been meaning to do this but a little CC vaccum has been hiding the leaks

Ausmbtech

Just remove the ignition coils (don't disconnect ignition leads, just lie them on the exhaust manifold), then remove the rocker covers.

When removing the rocker covers you will likely break the breather hoses (1 on RH, 2 on LH). This is ok, they are quite cheap. Replace all 3 to prevent revisiting later for idle problems.

Once the rocker covers are on the bench then remove the upper section of the rocker cover, this is the oil breather baffle. It has small hex key bolts holding it down, remove these then pry the baffle off.

With the baffles off, make sure the small orifice to the smaller breather hoses is clear. Check that a 1.5mm drill bit will pass through, if not then drill it out to 1.5mm. Early rocker covers had a smaller orifice which gets blocked too easily.

Reseal the baffles with a sealant and very lightly tighten the hex bolts. These bolts are for locating only, note that the main bolts also hold this baffle down once refitted.

Refit the rocker covers with new gaskets, checking that the gasket is correctly located at the back of the head also. Retorque to 8Nm. Refit ignition coils. Start engine and let idle for 10mins, checking for leaks.

koich

Question: I think the valve covers or the coil packs had a special bolt. Where did you guys buy the socket to remove them?

koich

Is it a Torx E-Socket?

DRBC43AMG

You have revived an old thread, but yes they are Torx's and there are plenty of them on an MB engine, both male and female so having a set of both is necessary if you want to some "spannering"

jgro1976

Sorry to revive and old thread...again...but can someone confirm the breather hoses that will likely disintegrate when I take them off to replace a valve cover gasket?

I'm looking at doing the driver/left side for now, so just those hoses/part numbers would be great. I want to make sure I order the right parts.

Thx

DRBC43AMG

Get the complete set for left and right. They are not expensive from the dealer. I would recommend you do both covers at the same time and be done with it. Recommend also to change the spark plugs when the covers are off. Access is easier ;-)

jgro1976

Thanks DRBC, I'll order the right side gasket today. Anyone know off hand the part numbers for the breather hoses?

Plugs/wires are already on order, so I'll make sure to do all that at the same time.

jgro1976

Bump, I'd love to know the part numbers for the breather hoses, want to place the order for the parts today if possible.

DRBC43AMG

I don't have the numbers but I made a photo of the pipes when I received the order from the dealer. It may help..., but I need to get into the on line parts catalogue tomorrow

Check here in the meantime: https://mbworld.org/forums/5125798-post14.html