It was easy, used a new gasket and no leakage. Did not use any gasket goop of any kind. Also replaced oil separator check valve while I was in there, and turbo drain seals. I have achieved a leakless diesel.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

The hardest part was scraping all the "form-a-gasket" that some clown had used to seal it on there.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

i did one a few weeks ago and tourque the bolt's down way to far.I didnt even think your not supposed to tourque it much (i guess that's why they have 16 holes). I ended up getting a new gasket because my old one split and leaked. I coated the sides of the gasket with grey rtv sealant and not a drop yet.

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

I needed to drop mine to do the oil return check valve. I'm putting it off only because the current gasket is not leaking. My biggest concern is having the new one leak.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

* The majority consider it simple.
* On average the job rates as a bit dirty or sloppy slimy mess .


Suggestion:
BEFORE starting this job........
* (Pressure wash), clean the lower pan area at your local car wash.
* Let it dry over night if possible.

Ditto.

I did this twice. Once when my engine went, and once again to replace the dented pan on my replacement engine. With a cordless drill and 5 mm hex shaft OR socket adapter and 5 mm allen key socket, its a breeze.

NOTE: be sure to turn the allen screws in at least 2 or 3 revolutions by hand before you put the drill to them - they are easy to get in there crooked (cross threaded) since the upper pan is aluminum.

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

x2.

Rule #1: use the right tools.

I screwed around (no pun intended) with the wrong allen key for a long while, before realizing that it would be so much easier with the right tools.

After that, it was a breeze.

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1984 300D: 275,000 miles (soon to be for sale)

In search of my 1987 300D in anything but white.

Need help with your poll. When you say removing the lower oil pan, do you also mean reinstalling it? Without leaks?

Removing it was simple. I broke a bolt reinstalling it, and it leaked like a sieve.

So -

Removing - simple
Reinstalling - PITA

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Bob
'82 300D Petrol B-G Metallic

I took mine off to bang out a dent. The darn thing had two gaskets on it!

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http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...aman/Fleet.jpg

Peach Parts W124.128 User Group.

80 280SL
85 300SD
87 300TD
92 300D 2.5 Turbo
92 300TE 4Matic

I use Permatex hard drying gasket maker.Silicone will work its way through the engine.See it on my blow 22re.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

I had my shop replace mine a few weeks ago because I didn't like the feel of the drain plug threads (like they had been overtightened) and because the pan was dented (from being shipped). It's easy, but potentially messy and I didn't feel like doing it without a lift.

its on my list... it looks super simple though

i call bs on the 4 pans in 'like 15 minutes' it takes at least 7 minutes to remove each one, making it more like 30 minutes

and here i thought craig was a bigtime diy guy. he won't change his oil pan becuase it's potentially messy. huh.

guys, let's all bag on craig cause he wouldn't do this job himself

LOL, I've done my time under plenty of cars. Changing that pan just wasn't my idea of fun that day (old guys get to do that).