Valve cover gasket change?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
From: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
1998 C43 AMG
Valve cover gasket change?
I did a quick search of the threads but didn't find this particular scenario.
Just had oil changed at MB of Seattle dealership and they gave me a list of recommendations including $655 to change the valve cover gaskets. I don't have the ability to do it my self.
My 98 C43 has 118,000 miles on it. Inspecting what I can see of the engine it does show limited sign of leakage (looks pretty old) but I never smell any smoke, no oil ever drips on the ground and the engine rarely calls for oil to be added.
I never know when a dealer is giving a wise recommendation versus trying to get into your wallet. Do you have any additional thoughts I should consider? I don't have $655 just sitting around waiting to be spent but I love this car and plan on keeping it for many more years to come.
Thank you for any advice...
Just had oil changed at MB of Seattle dealership and they gave me a list of recommendations including $655 to change the valve cover gaskets. I don't have the ability to do it my self.
My 98 C43 has 118,000 miles on it. Inspecting what I can see of the engine it does show limited sign of leakage (looks pretty old) but I never smell any smoke, no oil ever drips on the ground and the engine rarely calls for oil to be added.
I never know when a dealer is giving a wise recommendation versus trying to get into your wallet. Do you have any additional thoughts I should consider? I don't have $655 just sitting around waiting to be spent but I love this car and plan on keeping it for many more years to come.
Thank you for any advice...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Hi! I don't recall seeing you here before so welcome aboard. 
Valve covers on the M113 engine are a weak spot and need changing from time to time but don't think it needs to be done every year. We talk about a change every 80k - 100k or so. Overall, the job is not difficult for someone who has some basic mechanical knowledge, but you need to be rigorous to keep things clean and use the OE gaskets, sealant and torque down the covers to correct MB specs.
At the same time as doing the covers, I would strongly recommend changing the 16 spark plugs when the covers are removed. Access to the plugs will be SOOOO much easier than when the covers are on otherwise its a b**ger of a job. I wonder what your dealer would quote you for that specific job...
If you feel the dealer is quoting you a somewhat stiff bill (sounds reasonable when compared to what I would pay in my part of the world) check with a MB independent shop for a second opinion.
Valve covers on the M113 engine are a weak spot and need changing from time to time but don't think it needs to be done every year. We talk about a change every 80k - 100k or so. Overall, the job is not difficult for someone who has some basic mechanical knowledge, but you need to be rigorous to keep things clean and use the OE gaskets, sealant and torque down the covers to correct MB specs.
At the same time as doing the covers, I would strongly recommend changing the 16 spark plugs when the covers are removed. Access to the plugs will be SOOOO much easier than when the covers are on otherwise its a b**ger of a job. I wonder what your dealer would quote you for that specific job...
If you feel the dealer is quoting you a somewhat stiff bill (sounds reasonable when compared to what I would pay in my part of the world) check with a MB independent shop for a second opinion.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
I would call it a wise recommendation. The price is pretty steep because it's a dealership. A half-decent indy mechanic will be well aware of the M113 valve covers leaking. An experienced mechanic can do this job in an hour or so. Second what DRBC43AMG said: while they're off, just ask them to pop in some new plugs. Will add very little time on to the repair and is much cheaper and easier than just paying someone to replace the plugs later (special tool required).
However, the leak itself is not really a dangerous or imperative situation. Just a minor annoyance. If you don't want to mess with it now, you'll be completely fine just ignoring it until you have the time/money/tools to do the job later. My 99 C43 has this same leak on both valve covers, but it's low on my list of priority fixes. I'm more worried about my timing chain and rails, harmonic balancer, suspension refresh, etc.
However, the leak itself is not really a dangerous or imperative situation. Just a minor annoyance. If you don't want to mess with it now, you'll be completely fine just ignoring it until you have the time/money/tools to do the job later. My 99 C43 has this same leak on both valve covers, but it's low on my list of priority fixes. I'm more worried about my timing chain and rails, harmonic balancer, suspension refresh, etc.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: So California
1999 C43
Fortunately at 129,000 I have not had any oil leaks at all, but just to comment on dealership prices, I paid $765 to have plugs changed. Didn't feel that it was something I wanted to do myself. Keeping these old girls running is not cheap but new car payments aren't either.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 194
From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Just make sure they've already replaced the harmonic balancer. It was under recall, not sure if it would still be covered. Catastrophic engine failure timebomb situation.
