Originally Posted by
zip439
My 2 cents; Take it for what is worth. The gaskets do not go bad, but if they are installed per Chrysler/Mercedes Benz instructions they will leak. With out a sealant between the gasket and metal, oil will eventually find it's way beyond the gaskets mating surface. The constant heat cool cycle and possible loosing of the torqued screws will allow oil to seep between the metal and the gasket. That is what oil is suppose to do; it will penetrate and lubricate two surfaces. I use Permetex #2 (non hardening) when installing the valve cover gaskets to delay that oil seepage. Others on this forum use their own preferred sealants. I also feel that a little seepage isn't a leak. Leaks to me will drip. I can live with a small oily spot with dust on it, but not oily drips. Many dealers/auto mechanics will tell you that the covers are leaking just to get the easy fix job for their pocket book when all you actually have is some dust stuck to the small oil spot you see near the gasket area. JUST MY TWO CENTS>
PS there is a difference between the breather covers and the valve covers, but many use the terms interchangeable.
I've done a few of these on our cars, and more than a few on old US V8's.
I've yet to see an oil leak from the OEM Mercedes valve cover gaskets. The BUNA/aluminum seal seems to work perfectly, unlike the old sheet-steel VC's of my youth.
I apply a very light coat of silicone vacuum grease (viscosity-stable to 212F) to the gaskets, just because it's the way I do it.
The RTV you add, IMHO, does nothing. The Germans got this one right.
The RTV they use, or the application of it, is a real issue. More leak, with time, than don't.
But I've had great luck (?) using my method of true-cleaning and proper application of "Black" Permatex.
And, that's MY 2 cents.
The value of advice, in general, is inversely proportional to it's cost.
Chew on THAT one, folks!
