OM603 Valve Seals - Mercedes vs. Aftermarket - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jeremy5848 · #1 12-01-2010, 01:32 AM

I've been doing some research on OM603 valve seals in preparation for replacing the seals in my '87 300D Turbo (W124, OM603). There are considerable differences between Mercedes-branded seals and aftermarket seals and I don't just mean the price. [FastLane has the Mercedes-style seals for $24, AllPartsExpress has the aftermarket seals for $16, and the Mercedes dealer price is about $70.]

Mercedes-branded seals, shown in the first two pictures, carry a tiny Mercedes star and various numbers, the letters "GER" ("Made in Germany?") and "GOE" (the manufacturer?).

The aftermarket seals, shown in the third and fourth pictures, carry the Elring brand but no Mercedes logo. The exhaust seal is very similar to the Mercedes version but there's a real difference between the Mercedes and aftermarket intake seals. The aftermarket seal is shaped differently, doesn't have a metal shell, and has a larger outside diameter.

The two brands of intake seals are shown together in the fifth picture. One of them has to be the wrong size. Either the brown one won't fit or the red one will rattle around. It will be interesting to compare them to what comes out of the 603 head.

Jeremy

H-townbenzoboy · #2 12-01-2010, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

The two brands of intake seals are shown together in the fifth picture. One of them has to be the wrong size. Either the brown one won't fit or the red one will rattle around. It will be interesting to compare them to what comes out of the 603 head.

I'm betting the brown one won't fit since you can usually depend on MB parts to fit right the first time.

layback40 · #3 12-01-2010, 03:12 AM

The after market one will lack longevity. It will be like an oil seal without the spring ring.

Jeremy5848 · #4 12-03-2010, 01:16 PM

Here's the seal set sold by FastLane. It's made by Hebmüller in Germany and costs about $30 including shipping. Both intake and exhaust seals are green and have a metal outer shell with a spring ring to keep the seal tight. They don't look quite as "polished" as the Mercedes-branded seals (the rubber portion is a little rough) but otherwise seem OK.

I'm still puzzled by the brown Elring intake seal in my first post. The outside diameter is clearly larger than the Mercedes and Hebmüller intake seals. It will be interesting to see what kind of seals are in my #14 and Sixto's #20 heads.

Next step is to get busy and finish the valve spring compressing tool.

Jeremy

vstech · #5 12-03-2010, 11:23 PM

you know you titled the thread valve GUIDES right?
BIG difference between guides and seals...

Brian Carlton · #6 12-03-2010, 11:31 PM

Dave already covered this situation many times.

It doesn't pay to be cheap when you overhaul a 603, especially on the valve seals...........or you'll be doing them again in another 75K or so.

Jeremy5848 · #7 12-03-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

you know you titled the thread valve GUIDES right?
BIG difference between guides and seals...

True -- my error -- meant to write "valve guide seals." Wish I could edit that.

Chas H · #8 12-03-2010, 11:31 PM

The seal in the last photo looks very much a generic NAPA seal, which were made by Perfect Circle IIRC.

Brian Carlton · #9 12-03-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

True -- my error -- meant to write "valve guide seals." Wish I could edit that.

All fixed..........

Hit Man X · #10 12-03-2010, 11:43 PM

GOE = Goetze?

I would just pay the extra $30-40 for the OEM ones. Cost is not much all things considered.

Diesel911 · #11 12-04-2010, 11:56 AM

I have to agree with the others. It is too much work and the job takes long enough (I did mine about 2 months ago) you do not want have to do it again.

tjts1 · #12 03-31-2018, 05:47 PM

Has anybody actually had a problem with the elring valve stem seals?

Diseasel300 · #13 03-31-2018, 09:16 PM

I have the Elrings on my SDL and they seem fine so far.

gsxr · #14 04-01-2018, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Dave already covered this situation many times.

It doesn't pay to be cheap when you overhaul a 603, especially on the valve seals...........or you'll be doing them again in another 75K or so.

Yep... what Brian said over seven (!) years ago. I went through this in 2002 or so. One of the aftermarket seals came loose and the engine started burning oil & smoking, and oil leaking from one exhaust port. Found one of the aftermarket seals had not remained seated. I replaced them with OE / dealer. 15 years / 125kmi later, the OE seals are still fine. Long story here:
OM603 - oil leak from exhaust port with new head!

Given the significant amount of time, labor, and special tools required to replace these on a 60x engine... it is worth every penny of the $50 (current price) for the OE / Genuine MB seal kit with metal shells.

tjts1 · #15 04-01-2018, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

I have the Elrings on my SDL and they seem fine so far.

That's good to know, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

Yep... what Brian said over seven (!) years ago. I went through this in 2002 or so. One of the aftermarket seals came loose and the engine started burning oil & smoking, and oil leaking from one exhaust port. Found one of the aftermarket seals had not remained seated. I replaced them with OE / dealer. 15 years / 125kmi later, the OE seals are still fine. Long story here:
OM603 - oil leak from exhaust port with new head!

Given the significant amount of time, labor, and special tools required to replace these on a 60x engine... it is worth every penny of the $50 (current price) for the OE / Genuine MB seal kit with metal shells.

Thanks for the info. The elring seals I just installed look different from the ones pictured. I'll try to get a pic. The ones I just pulled from the head look like a combination of the MB and aftermarket pictured above.