It went right under my manifold covers. I would think its the upper?

Can I get the manifold and valve cover gaskets at Mercedes or any parts store? Need them by tomorrow.

Thanks.

 

- Upper.
- For a high price, yes you can get them at the dealer.
- Most likely not carried in-stock and will take a day to get them for you.

- Don't forget that the valve covers use a rubber gasket, but the breather covers (which leak the most) are a high-temp silicone sealant.

 

Do you know the part # on the manifold and valve gaskets?

Thanks.

 

Talk to Rob at Needswings. The valve cover gaskets are a dealer stock item but those upper plenum gaskets are generally a 2-day wait and Rob has everything you'd need in stock, cheaper than the dealer and he can overnight it so you'd have it tomorrow if you need them in a pinch.

 

Rudy, I tried getting some stuff from Rob overnight but it was $287 to do so.

Do I need a actual valve cover gasket if I use the RTV liquid gasket?

 

There is one way to find out, but it might be a costly lesson. Rtv is going to squish out something very thin, could end up where you started.

Did you damage the originals, I have reused them with success if not folded or bent too bad.

Woody

 

You need both the gasket and the Mercedes sealant/application gun and you do NOT put any sealant on the rubber gasket, only where the valve cover halves meet. It's not easy to separate them if you've never done it before and you can actually crack or completely break them in half, both of which render the valve covers worthless so make sure you take your time and go at it slowly.

 

DO NOT REUSE VALVE COVER GASKETS!!!

While they are flexible, they conform to the shape and pressure placed between the valve cover and the head and after they heat up the first time, they are set and seal to both. Once you remove them, any bond they had with the head or valve cover gasket will no longer take place. If you've done it before, you've lucked out but when you remove them, you will notice that they stick to the head and this is because of the bonding process.

 

When You say "valve cover halves" you are referring to the breather covers on the valve covers, correct? Just double checking my work. lol

 

I got my valve cover gaskets on-line for $13/ea. They also have the lower manifold gaskets for $3/ea, but not the uppers.
(Not sure why my 2002 SLK32 has different prices then the SRT-6... so look it up instead)

Auto Parts at AutohausAZ - OEM Auto Parts - Discount Replacement Parts, Resources and Car Care Tips

I found a good German engine gasket RTV at the auto parts store that is in a pressurized applicator can for $15.

I like Rob, Needswings and the ease of everything in a kit, but there are cheaper ways that are just as effective.

 

I called my local mercedes parts department but they want a VIN # not sure why. Will a 04 SLK320 have the same gaskets as our SRT6?

I get my stuff back from powdercoat tomorrow and I want to have the car up and running by the weekend.

Thanks.

 

looks like I will have to pay 27.50 each for valve cover gaskets through mercedes.

I used a 2003 SLK32 AMG for a reference is that correct?

 

You have to be careful about some of the aftermarket stuff like that. For some things it's not a big deal but I won't touch an aftermarket VC gasket again. I had about 1 in 10 cars with the aftermarkets come back because one side didn't seal up properly and 0 in hundreds of cars have come back with the OEM ones. Doesn't matter what you saved on the cheap gasket, you lost it and the customers confidence in the process. As for the sealant, it doesn't need to be Benz but make sure you're using something that hasn't been sitting on the shelf for 5 years and doesn't harden over time.

Negative. The ones you need are specific the the SLK32, C32 and SRT6

 

that was due to the size/weight of the other items you wanted, it wasn't that much for just a set of vc gaskets

 

I have bought many many things from you Rob. My total shipping wouldn't ever come to that figure. lol.

 

Thanks Rudy. Im picking up some VC gaskets tomorrow from the Benz dealer off a SLK32. He couldnt even find the Manifold gaskets so ill see if he can get them from a C32.

Rob, thanks for all the help man, but overnighting the gaskets I bet would of been way more to do so lol. Shipping companies always gets you. Ill be in touch for the items I need from you.

Doc, the reason it was so much was I was getting the bolt kit for the VC and manifold plus some other things from Rob. Just not worth $300 in shipping to do so overnight.


Thanks all for the help much appreciated.

 

its all good, sorry the shipping Gods didn't pan out for us today, but yes by the time we overnight just the gaskets it is yes cheaper to pay the tourist price at benz locally unfortunetly.

 

FWIW, Everything I have gotten from that site has been OEM. They specify if it's not. Even the CPS I received was a Bosch and it was only $45.

Another site with gaskets and good prices (on all but the VCs):
2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32 AMG Parts - OE Discount Parts

The nice thing about that 2nd site is they give Parts Breakdowns to help identify your part.

I know you are in a time crunch and getting them from the dealer, but figured I'd add some info here in case you need stuff in the future.

 

Mercedes wanted to charge me $50 per VC gasket!!! I basically said FU to them. The parts manager was like the $27 is their cost that they quoted me yesterday.

Bottom line I put up a fight and they went ahead with the $27 and threw the mercedes sealant syringe thing in for free. Freaking Stealerships! :/

 

Don't take this the wrong way but I seriously doubt any dealer would charge twice what retail is. It just doesn't work that way. I'm sure like the $300 overnight shipping for gaskets from Rob that there is quite a bit more to the story than you've posted but at this point it doesn't matter and you got what you needed.

I would recommend in the future you take into account that the parts guy you said FU to today just might be the same guy ordering something you desperately need immediately next time and he may return the favor.