I know I shouldn't but,

How much success is there with reusing the old valve cover gasket after doing a valve adjustment?

__________________
JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

I don't know how well that would work, I've been having poor luck using a new valve cover seal on mine, so you might have better luck with the old one.

Possibly clean the seal and the head well with some brake cleaner on a rag, and apply a thin coat of silicone glue?

__________________
-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

Mine has lasted through 2 valve adjustments without leaking or any kind of sealer.

I have re-used them a few times. I think the trick is to avoid overtightening.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

The gasket also needs to still be pliable.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

I used a new one just for grins, difficult to get on without staying on cam cover, had to try three times I think, you're not supposed to use any sealant, but some folks have to keep gasket in place during reassembly.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

fishing line... tie it in 3 places and one lengthwise.. get it on and start the bolts but not too tight. untie or cut the line and slide it out.. viola...

I think my valve cover is warped... its leaking from the #5 cylinder....

To me it is more like a big O-ring than a gasket. So I re-use it until it becomes brittle.

Ken300D

__________________
--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

i reuse it until the gasket can stand on end on your palm. If it does, it is too stiff already to be doing any "sealing" on the cover.. well, at least that's how we do it in the shop i go to..

__________________
Mike

----------------------------------
1975 200 - Sold (no pix);
1978 200 - Sold - http://www.pbase.com/hboy/redbaron
1979 300TD - Sold
http://www.pbase.com/hboy/greenwagon
http://www.geocities.com/hboy726/300TD.html
1985 230E - now my daily driver...

The first time I got my valves adjusted the mechanic spent ten minutes talking me OUT of buying a new valve cover gasket. While I dont have a lot of experience with Mercedes diesel engines, I have always replaced a valve cover gasket if the cover needs to be removed.
Sure enough, after getting home there was oil all over the driveway, needless to say that was the last time I went to that mechanic (who is supposedly a reputable Mercedes guy).
As I said, I'm far from completely knowledgeable about these cars, but in my opinion the piece of mind is well worth the price of a valve cover gasket.

__________________
---------------------------------------------------

1985 300SD
216,000 miles

I've never had problems reusing the same VC gasket many times and I've always used a little of the brown sticky Permatex sealer for insurance.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Mine starts leaking right around the time it needs an adjustment Like right now. I'll be adjusting them next week on my car and our 300D, and will be using a new gasket on both. Did my dad's SD a week ago, with a OEM gasket.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I just replace it, they're what... $2?

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Good idea! When I finally got the cover on, one of the hold down studs had been inverted, when I torqued to specs...CRACK. Off to the p'n'p for a different cover, first one did not have CC mounting holes, another trip, scored that time. A simple valve adjusting job took over a week.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

First, let me say that this is one item I only get from the dealer. I can tell the difference .

Secondly, I have used the same one for the last three valve adjustments with no leaks.

Lastly, It must be torqued to specs. . Now let's all say it together...
It must be torqued to specs. .

__________________
_____________________________

In scuba diving and skydiving as in life, if it isn't fun, your doing it wrong.

Original owner & daily driver, 1983 300SD 298,000 miles.