Hi guys

I got a replacement oil pan and gasket (came with drain plug and copper washer plus another silver washer I didn't use) and installed it. I didn't have a 5mm bit for a torque wrench so I used a regular hex key and a wrench on the end of it for leverage. I wiped the surface of the engine side with a paper towel and put the new gasket and pan on. It dripped along the back edge so I tightened. Then it leaked a lot more so I figured out about how tight 10 ft lbs would feel and loosened and retightened bolts again. I guess I had it too tight. So now it is still dripping. Not sure what to do. I could drain it again and redo it after cleaning the surfaces. Or maybe I need some sort of gasket sealant? Or do I have to get another gasket or pan since I overtightened it? Thanks!

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1980 300SD (daily driver), 1981 300D (Inca Red)

Sure its the pan gasket and not the turbo oil return tube leaking oil?

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

I'm pretty sure it's not, but I will check that in the morning.

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1980 300SD (daily driver), 1981 300D (Inca Red)

When I had my Pan off when I replaced the Turbo drain and to knock the dents out of the Pan I cleaned eve thing including the Pan Gasket. I reused the Gasket with Silicone Sealant on both sides.
(I forgot to order a new Oil Pan Gasket before I started the job; I figured if the re-used gasket seeped I would change it later.)
Giving the Silicon 4 hours to cure (before dumping in the Oil) at least 70 degrees F or higher temp keeps little pieces of the Silicon from breaking off (this is what people fear when Silicon Sealant is used).

I have no obvious leaks.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I suspect I'm going to have to do that, too. I wouldn't mind using some of the right kind of sealant on there. I probably should have scraped the upper surface before putting it back together. Ugh. I don't want to do it again!

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1980 300SD (daily driver), 1981 300D (Inca Red)

well, I tried today. I couldn't get the gasket off cleanly and ended up breaking it. I didn't have another so, after cleaning the surfaces well, making sure no trace of gasket on the pan, and green abrasive pad scrubbing both surfaces, I made nice beads of the black gasket silicone stuff on the oil pan (inside edge, outside edge, connecting lines on each side of each hole, etc) and put it back on. I hand tightened the bolts and left them an hour or two and then tightened the bolts.

drips worse than ever now. On the rear side. Can I try again with more silicone? I used thin beads, like 1/16 in. Maybe I under-did it. Or do I need to order a gasket?

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1980 300SD (daily driver), 1981 300D (Inca Red)

Order a gasket

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Yes, goodness yes guys, use a new gasket and buy or borrow a torque wrench to get them all right. You can't go around with that many little screws and get it right by feel. I can't believe you could plan to do a job like that and forget to order a gasket. If you want these older Mercedes to continue giving you a good ride, things have to be done right. If you don't, you would be better off with a Yugo or a ricer. Well, maybe not a Yugo.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Sucks about the leak. I would also take a close look at the pan flange and make sure it didn't get warped.

I've had good luck with sealant by applying a good bead and letting it cure overnight. On the pan I'd stick with the gasket though.

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My occupational hazard bein'
my occupation's just not around...
1980 300SD
1980 300SD