I can swear Waldig had a DIY up before but when I search valve cover I get nothing good. Weird...

The tapping in my driver side engine has gotten loud and horrible... I want to pull the cover and, uhm, look around I guess.

Are there any pointers out there? Can't be that hard, move some lines and remove bolts but I guess my biggest question is what to use for the gasket afterwards and if the top valve recirculation cover has to be removed first.

 

Here ya go man - (It's amazing what you can discover in the on-line maintenance manual)






And should you decide to re-assemble -





It should look like this once removed


And you'll need some of this

 

Before you pull the covers!!!!!!

If you're searching for a "tapping" sound, narrow down your search first.

You can use a screwdriver as a mock stethoscope before you tear anything down.

Simply put the plastic handle against your ear, and the metal end against the area you think the sound is coming from. Move the end of the screwdriver around to narrow down the area where the sound is coming from.

As to the covers themselves..... you want to get new gaskets to replace the ones that are there.....they will not re-seal themselves. You should get these before you do any work.

I'm pretty sure the small cover can stay on the big valve cover during removal. I could be wrong......just be careful during removal, if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

 

The gaskets are indeed re-usable, unless damaged - I would buy a set of gaskets and have them ready if needed - then return - if you don't - there about $25 each. There actually pretty stout and made of rubber material. Check to see if your local MB deal has them in stock and if they are open the day you work on the engine.

The black sealeant is used for the small breather covers on top. Once you loosen the bolt on the breather cover and move the valve cover - your going to be leaking oil - the extra time and money to re-seal them properly is well worth it.

 

Wow great info, and fast... I'll get a gasket first then...

The tick is definately in my engine. I bought a mechanics stethescope. Its loud in the driver's side exhaust, valve cover bolts, manifold, everything in that area. Its NOT loud on the oil pan though so that sort of ruled out anything on the bottom end. I have a few threads on this so I won't dump all the info here too...

Not sure what I'm looking for haha when I open the valve cover but ya never know....

 

Revit an old thread....

So I'm hearing that the valve cover gaskets are reusable if not damaged - great!
My brother suggested I used a non-hardening gasket "helper" (permatex) on the cover gasket flat surface - but I'm in 2 minds cause it's then gotta be cleaned off - properly - next time.
It didnt have anything from the previous install (factory or shop dont know - B4 my time).

What about the breather plates - reusable also? Same story?

and finally - simply use a scourer to polish 'em up then some mag wheel cleaner? The originals arent going to come up super spesh - but be nice to get it with some kind a "glint".