SilverDameon55

Hey everyone,

I just noticed that my drivers side valve cover is leaking and even though its not causing an oil spot on the floor, I can see that's its leaking leaving black all over the cover. Ive also had to add about a bottle of oil every few weeks (I drive a lot) so I think its time to do the change.....my "Check engine" light came on this morning too so Im hoping this is why.....Anyway I have a few questions:

1. Do I have to change out the gasket maker seals on both covers for the top parts if they are not leaking?
2. Where is the best place to get a valve cover gasket set? I don't want to get some off brand and be in the same situation in a few months because I decided to get a cheap aftermarket.

I have already found the DIY's on here for the change so Im confident that I can do it but I just want to make sure I get a good quality part.

Thanks everyone.

Yuille36

For genuine Mercedes parts, go to the dealership. But you can purchase gasket from Rock Auto, AutohausAZ and FCP Euro to name a few.

SilverDameon55

Yeah I figured I could get them from those places and even AutoZone but I thought it was better to get an OE gasket VS the aftermarket ones? I read somewhere that the aftermarket ones are not as thick and make a good enough seal....is that true?

KAMG

I'd pay a bit extra and go with OE from FCP Euro. The valve cover gaskets always find a way to leak so when they do leak again, you can just get free replacements from FCP
Also leaking valve cover gaskets wouldn't set off a check engine light

Yuille36

I don't know if that is necessarily true, as some aftermarket gaskets are better than OEM. I went with OEM when I changed mine on the E63.

Yuille36

Yes, a leaking valve cover will never cause a CEL.

SilverDameon55

Ok I will look on FCP Euro then and order one. Ive used them a few times already and the parts are really good so I cant imaging the gaskets being any different. What about the top parts to the covers, you know the part that require gasket maker to seal? If they are not leaking, do I have to mess with them? And the CEL coming on and NOT being the valve covers leaking makes me a bit worried. The car has been driving just fine but I did notice when I parked this morning and removed the key, I didn't hear the typical *ding *ding "don't forget the key like normal.

lseguy

when I did the valve cover gasket job on my CLK55, I seem to recall FCP providing a kit, to include their sealant in a tube for the top covers that are on top of the actual valve covers.

SilverDameon55

Yeah I think I saw a complete kit on there site as well with tube elbows and everything for a decent price. I just didn't know if the gaskets were better or worse compared to the OEM ones

lseguy

this is the kit I purchased..for the CLK55 (Same engine as E55, but w/o supercharger)
Reviews dont appear to be great from the two reviews, but I very very carefully installed mine to the letter 1 year ago, and thus far, no leaks at all.

Key with valve cover gaskets and with using the sealants: perfection is an absolute must. Its a job that cant be rushed at all.


https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...it-oem-m113016

tw2

I would go OEM, avoid Victor Reinz, they are known to leak. They are not as thick as OEM.

lseguy

tw2

Luckily we don't drive BMW's. Most of them are talking about head gaskets so yes surface prep is important. The rest are purely subjective. I am not saying every single gasket they make fails, just M112 and M113 valve cover gaskets.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...r-gaskets.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...they-leak.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...i-replace.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...asket-not.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...g-burning.html

These are just the first few I bothered to link. Ctrl+F "Victor" if you want to skip the exact part where the complaints are in each one. Some of these people are very highly regarded techs, mechanics or people like bbirdwell.

lseguy

good info, but from 2012. As we all know, manufacturing processes and even subvendors/factories, change. In one of those threads a tech states "VR gaskets are not what they used to be", indicating that at one time, the quality was good? Simply stating that from a purely scientific point of view, 6 year old antecedotal data on anything isnt really a good factor. Who knows whats changed in 6 years?

That said, the points made at that time appear to be valid. And I have no stock in VR gaskets but do know that FCP's kit sent to me (which contained VR gaskets) fixed my issue. The job (on the CLK55) wasnt hard so if (heaven forbid) the gaskets leak again anytime soon, I'll most likely go with OEM benz, depending on price.

tw2

There are definitely newer examples, they were just the first in my search. People were still having issues when I had my CLK55 only a couple of years ago.

Anyway the difference is $6 between VR and oem. People can make up their own mind where they want to save money. I remember it being a totally crap job getting the covers clean and old sealant off, no way I would want to be going back in there again. But yes hopefully they have improved their design recently.

SilverDameon55

I was pressed to go with the kit from FCP but I'm certain I'm just going to play it safe and go OEM since the price isnt that much to worry about.