DIY: Remove and replace valve cover gaskets and spark plugs
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
asdf
i followed this writeup a few weeks ago and it was fairly simple. took about 3 hours. if you're hesitant, don't be. it's straight forward. only thing i forgot to do was wipe the dripping oil when i put the valve cover back on.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 421
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area
2004 E500 CLK320
Great DIY instructions... thanks for posting them. But I have a couple of questions.
1) Now that it's been close to 6 months since you made the fix.... are you leak free? Or have any leaks developed?
2) It doesn't look like any kind of sealant was used at the factory. My 04 e320 is sorely in need of me doing this fix.... but it also has 102K miles. Probably could have actually done this at 85K.... but it was just seeping at that point. Anyway... if you have to go in and do this again you're going to have a really fun cleanup job with the sealant you added. Did you ever find any instructions on how this is spec.'d on something like a WIS? Or has anyone found torque specs for the valve covers?
I'd just rather not cover everything in sealant if I don't have to. It never worked well long term on cars I've had in the past.
Thanks for posting the instructions.
1) Now that it's been close to 6 months since you made the fix.... are you leak free? Or have any leaks developed?
2) It doesn't look like any kind of sealant was used at the factory. My 04 e320 is sorely in need of me doing this fix.... but it also has 102K miles. Probably could have actually done this at 85K.... but it was just seeping at that point. Anyway... if you have to go in and do this again you're going to have a really fun cleanup job with the sealant you added. Did you ever find any instructions on how this is spec.'d on something like a WIS? Or has anyone found torque specs for the valve covers?
I'd just rather not cover everything in sealant if I don't have to. It never worked well long term on cars I've had in the past.
Thanks for posting the instructions.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
2005 CLK 55 AMG
According to the new manual I bought the torque specs for the cyl head cover is 8nm for clk320 and clk 55 while clk 500 needs 10nm
The bolts for the coils to head cover are set at 8 nm for all models.
Very nice diy btw
The bolts for the coils to head cover are set at 8 nm for all models.
Very nice diy btw
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Suzuki Burgman Executive
I had my green filters cleaned, plugs changed, wires changed, oil changed, trans flushed (amsoil), diff flushed, and new inner and outer tie rods for my right wheel. My car drives like a champ.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
Great DIY
BUT you DO NOT have to open the valve cover , you can unscrew the spark plugs without opening the valve covers, the whole process will take you less than 45min.
I dont see why you say they should open the valve covers
I have changed my spark plugs yesterday in 35 min roughly and all great
BUT you DO NOT have to open the valve cover , you can unscrew the spark plugs without opening the valve covers, the whole process will take you less than 45min.
I dont see why you say they should open the valve covers
I have changed my spark plugs yesterday in 35 min roughly and all great
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
CLK 320
another smaller gasket there IMO
Excellent write-up.
I'm in the same boat, need to replace the gaskets, but noticed that oil actually leaks from another gasket which is from the smaller cover (green arrow) which sits on top of the one discussed above.
Is it possible that the leak comes from there?
Opinions please.
Thanks
I'm in the same boat, need to replace the gaskets, but noticed that oil actually leaks from another gasket which is from the smaller cover (green arrow) which sits on top of the one discussed above.
Is it possible that the leak comes from there?
Opinions please.
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
Excellent write-up.
I'm in the same boat, need to replace the gaskets, but noticed that oil actually leaks from another gasket which is from the smaller cover (green arrow) which sits on top of the one discussed above.
Is it possible that the leak comes from there? Yes. Here is a write up from e55 but same principle:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...asket-diy.html
Opinions please.
Thanks
I'm in the same boat, need to replace the gaskets, but noticed that oil actually leaks from another gasket which is from the smaller cover (green arrow) which sits on top of the one discussed above.
Is it possible that the leak comes from there? Yes. Here is a write up from e55 but same principle:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...asket-diy.html
Opinions please.
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
Great write-up. Changed my sparkplugs on my E500 following this DIY. Don't know what car that one guy had that claimed to be able to change it all in 35 min; took me roughly 90 min to change out 16 plugs...only cuz I wanted to make sure I wasn't tweaking any plugs when I took them out. Definitely need to have the right extension for your spark plug socket to maneuver around the cover. Also bought a spark plug boot wrench off Ebay that made it simple to maneuver around the valve cover.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Depending on the model, you may find it easier to get to the plugs from below the engine by removing the front road wheels and the inner fender shrouds. Here are photos from my W163:
ML320 Spark Plug Change
ML320 Spark Plug Change
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
CLK 55 AMG
Excellent write-up.
I'm in the same boat, need to replace the gaskets, but noticed that oil actually leaks from another gasket which is from the smaller cover (green arrow) which sits on top of the one discussed above.
Is it possible that the leak comes from there?
Opinions please.
Thanks
I'm in the same boat, need to replace the gaskets, but noticed that oil actually leaks from another gasket which is from the smaller cover (green arrow) which sits on top of the one discussed above.
Is it possible that the leak comes from there?
Opinions please.
Thanks
Now it’s time to do the driver side.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
2004 E320 4Matic Wagon
Inflexible or flexible fuel line
[QUOTE=SZMB;4228079]Yes, the left cover is only slightly harder because of the fuel line above the cover. There's no need to remove the fuel line, I just push it out of the way with one hand and jiggle the valve cover out.[/QUOTE
Is the fuel line you pushed out one of the flexible lines as on some models or was it the inflexible type shown in the write-up? Mine is an inflexible type and I would like to do what you did if it works for the inflexible line.
Is the fuel line you pushed out one of the flexible lines as on some models or was it the inflexible type shown in the write-up? Mine is an inflexible type and I would like to do what you did if it works for the inflexible line.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
Write up exemplar
I didn't find any leaks in these valves, connectors or hoses. They were clean. If they were clogged, they could be looking dirty. This is a California car, never been thru a cold winter, and I don't expect this car will have any problem w/ the breather valve. Maybe cars in the East Coast would experience clogged valves due to condensation from short trips during the winter months.
Props to your wonderful pictorial.
Last edited by grane; Nov 30, 2011 at 10:05 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2002 ML320 W163
Great post up!
I did mine today after i found oil on my spark plugs.
Unfortunately, when i opened it up the engine looked sooo bad (picture attached). Any suggestions how i should clean it?
I was hoping i can scrap most of it off and put the cover back on and let it run for a month then open it again to get the scrap the rest out.
I did mine today after i found oil on my spark plugs.
Unfortunately, when i opened it up the engine looked sooo bad (picture attached). Any suggestions how i should clean it?
I was hoping i can scrap most of it off and put the cover back on and let it run for a month then open it again to get the scrap the rest out.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
Great post up!
I did mine today after i found oil on my spark plugs.
Unfortunately, when i opened it up the engine looked sooo bad (picture attached). Any suggestions how i should clean it?
I was hoping i can scrap most of it off and put the cover back on and let it run for a month then open it again to get the scrap the rest out.
I did mine today after i found oil on my spark plugs.
Unfortunately, when i opened it up the engine looked sooo bad (picture attached). Any suggestions how i should clean it?
I was hoping i can scrap most of it off and put the cover back on and let it run for a month then open it again to get the scrap the rest out.
looks like the ford commercial!! When was the last time the oil was changed? looks like years. I don't think you will be able to clean that without removing all the parts and bathing it in some hard core solvents. With that much sludge, I would not be surprised if the camshafts, injectors, and other parts are completely shot. Good luck man.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2002 ML320 W163
looks like the ford commercial!! When was the last time the oil was changed? looks like years. I don't think you will be able to clean that without removing all the parts and bathing it in some hard core solvents. With that much sludge, I would not be surprised if the camshafts, injectors, and other parts are completely shot. Good luck man.Removing all the parts isnt something you can do yourself or do i have to get the mechanic to do? if so, i can see how they're going to me heaps for it...
