i was putting on a new oil pan gasket today, not paying any attention to torque, and broke it. i can't find it anywhere nearby so i'd have to order it (and wait). i have some permatex gasket maker though. could i just use that instead?

__________________
1980 300D, 128K

oil pan gasket is fairly cheap but you could use gasket maker too

__________________
1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

ok, great. how would the torque work with gasket maker? seems like you wouldn't want to tighten it too much since it is soft when you put it on.

__________________
1980 300D, 128K

I would think it would be in inch pounds,not foot pounds.

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

With gasket makers(I assume you mean rtv) you should gently snug up; allow it to semi-harden; then later bring it up to torque.

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Personally, I've heard and/or read of many folks advising against RTV for sealing on a diesel engine. The reason is that the "strings" from RTV can get in the oil injectors and cause problems. I don't know how badly "broken" your gasket is but it might suffice, temporarily, with minor oil leakage. Right now it escapes my imagination as to how a gasket could be broken by torqueing the bolts.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

VW specifies a silicone material, avail at their dealerships for oil pan gasket. No substitute, that is how they do it on the 1.9 diesel.
I would use either a new gasket, or an approved silicone material for this purpose, of which MB does not suggest.

I actually have the 1/2 tube from 2 years ago, if you need same.

I had replaced two Jetta diesel oil pans for my FIL, now passed, and one for my daughter in her more carefree days....

__________________
Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW