valve stem seals
 

Hi - I'm in the processing of replacing the valve seals on my 220D using the ************** kit. His guide mentions that I should feel the seal clicking onto the valve guide. I used quite a bit of force but never felt a click. Anyone have tricks to check that the seal is properly seated on the guide?

Also, the seals I took off have no rubber on the outside but the ones I bought are rubber inside and out. Anyone have opinion as to the reason for the difference? Did the rubber on the old ones just crack up and disintegrate?

Thanks everyone.

What color are your seals ?
Are the intake and exhaust the same color ?
Do they not have a metal jacket regardless of whether that jacket has rubber on the outside of it ?
The clicking is implied in the FSM ... what kind of tool are you using... is it offset ?

I never felt them "CLICK" but I felt them kind of fall into place slowly when applying pressure.

All my new seals were the same color.

Valve Stem Seals
 

You(And your Mercedes) will only be happy with O.E. Mercedes seals

Return whatever you bought that's Masquerading as MB Seals and get your
money back.

Photographic credit to GSXR:

I bought new seals from Mercedes-Benz, they were 40 bucks for a set. They were all black.

The FSM from way back says the two color seals were being discontinued and I believe only the ' exhaust' seals with the new ' gas lip' were being sold to be used on both type valves...so they should be the same color...

You might be able to measure the distance from the head to the retaining groove on the Valve guide and compare that with how far down the New Seals go.

I checked at my favorite internet parts place and the Victor Rinze Vavle Stem Seal set they sell were all the same color.
Maybe the different colored Valve Stem Seals only applies to the Turboed Engines.

The pic below is the Meistersatz made Valve Stem Seals for my 300D (I bought these but I have not taken the time to install yet). Except for the spring at the top of the Seal the exterior is all rubber.

Thanks for thesuggestions. I think it is only the turbo versions that come in different colors. My Victor Renze seals are all black but the guides says that's normal for an old four cylinder. I do think these are oem seals. Kent. B of mercedes source has fabricated a tool to press the seals home. It's like a closed end wrench with the handle sticking straight up.

I think measuring the distance is the best option. But I wonder what tolerances I'll be dealing with?

Thanks again.

I hope you did not pay too much for your seals. The source I looked at had the Victor Renze seals for $8 + Shipping.
When you mentioned the word pictorial I went to one of those sites that has pictorials and found at that site what appeared to be the same seals were selling for $70 (that included the shipping).

As far as measuring goes you just want to be sure the Retainging Lip on the Seals go into the Groove all they way (I am assuming your 220 Valve Guildes have such a groove). I do not think this is an extremely precise.

Harbor Freight sells 6 inch machinist type rullers for around $2. they are only about 1/2 inch wide and measure down to 1/32" of an inch. They fit into those tight places well.

Also ounce it is in the Seal is in the groove you should not be able to pull up on it easily.

This pic is from a book for OM 615-617 dated 1975. From the looks of the pic it would be difficult to push the seal down too far; but of course do not use too much force on it and damage it.

Thanks. 7 Dollars for all 8? I bought the seals, valve cover gasket, valve stem covers for protecting the seals during installation, and tool for pressing on the seals on for $45 plus shipping. Oh well. Live and learn. But I hope I won't have to do this job again.

Well there would be shipping if you only bought the Seals and you got a lot of stuff for the $45.

If the tool you got is not the Factory type one would you post a picture of it.
I have not done mine yet. I understand you can somehow use a socket to push the Seals on and I know what the Factory Tool looks like so if there is another type or tool I would like to see a pic of it.