New oil pan gasket - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

junqueyardjim · #1 02-19-2006, 03:27 PM

I am going to install a new lower oil pan gasket tomorrow. Should that gasket be put on dry or should it be coated with a sealant also. If so, what do you recommend. I am just very interested in getting this engine sealed up so it doesn't leak. The car is my 85 W123 turbo. I bought the car last April and checked it for leaks when I bought it. No leaks that I could find! None! Zero! Then late this past summer it began to leak all over. I can't beleive it. We have stopped the turbo return leak, seems that a new VC gasket has that dried up also, now it seems at idle especially the lower pan leaks in a number of places. I thought my old Jimmy 8V71 T's were messy, but it is hard to beat this 617.

Mismost · #2 02-19-2006, 08:12 PM

I used Permatex Spray-On Copper gasket sealer. Not so much to help stop leaks, but to hold the gasket in position while you start the 111 hex head bolts! I used to use sewing thread and just tie the gasket in place, then cut loose after the pan is in place.

If you have a screwgun, and a 1/4" adapter that fits the chuck you can yourself a lot of time. Watch the placement of the bolts, some are longer, some have spacers around the transmission/AC lines.

BTW, this being a diesel, I was expecting to find handfuls of sludge in pan...not a speck to be seen anywhere. I did the Larry Bible method, drained hot, removed pan, and let it drip all night, put the pan back on in morning.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

OMEGAMAN · #3 02-20-2006, 09:52 AM

have a good look at the front crank seal I thought my oil pan gasket was leaking and it was the front seal

junqueyardjim · #4 02-20-2006, 01:50 PM

I took my W123 Turbo to my indy this AM. Paul doesn't really "dig" this great little car, but he is a wonderful mechanic, super bright and all around nice guy. Well, I brought the car in with a new drag link, stabilizer and a pair of tie rods. He did that job so fast it made my head spin. Then again we began to look for the source of the leak. It was leaking in a number of places around the front half of the small pan, just making an awful mess. But Paul said, it is not the pan gasket - guaranteed! We will have to find it. So we sprayed a lot of the engine off with brake cleaner and he found it. When I put on a new VC gasket at Christmas time. one of the small wires that run around the front of the block did manage to get under that gasket. Now I do have good vision for driving a school bus, but when it comes to things that are rather dark and small, that I can't get a good focus on with my trifocals, I will miss it. So we loosened the front of the VC, retorqued it, and it was gone! Wonderful, it is dry! Then he did my alignment and the little car drives and runs like magic. If you are in the Indianapolis area and need service I highly recommend Paul. Drop me a PM and I will give you his name, number and address. He is very close to I65 and I465 and IN421 on Indy's NW corner. He really does appreaciate it if you have a service manual.

TheDon · #5 02-20-2006, 01:54 PM

^ lucky.. i have to change my oil pan since the p/o dented it slightly.. . im getting oil drips from the back of the block.. dear god please not the rear main seal.. i put a new valve cover gasket on after a failed valve adjustment .

so break cleaner and hose eh. anything i should be careful about spraying down i really need to find this drip.. its bad but not very bad.

junqueyardjim · #6 02-20-2006, 03:12 PM

to The Don, no, don't clean your engine with brake fluid, use brake cleaner (aka carbon Tet), but sold in auto supply stores as brake cleaner. It is a wonderful cleaner, even works as a mini fire extinquisher.

TheDon · #7 02-20-2006, 03:20 PM

i have an electric pressure washer.. if i put it on the lowest setting ill be fine .. right?

Stevo · #8 02-20-2006, 04:16 PM

[QUOTE=Mismost]BTW, this being a diesel, I was expecting to find handfuls of sludge in pan

I've pulled allot of 616 pans in the last few years and have never found much, if any sludge

Stevo · #9 02-20-2006, 04:19 PM

[QUOTE=Mismost]BTW, this being a diesel, I was expecting to find handfuls of sludge in pan

I've pulled allot of 616 pans in the last few years and have never found much, if any sludge

I use a very thin coat of blue silicone and be careful not to over torque

SD Blue · #10 02-20-2006, 06:20 PM

A common misconception with diesels: black oil is due to soot, and not sludge buildup (usually).

For the oil pan gasket replacement: two things- torque wrench & threadlocker.

SanDiego123 · #11 04-14-2014, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

to The Don, no, don't clean your engine with brake fluid, use brake cleaner (aka carbon Tet), but sold in auto supply stores as brake cleaner. It is a wonderful cleaner, even works as a mini fire extinquisher.

A buddy of mine and I were discussing what's the difference between carb cleaner and brake cleaner. He said brake cleaner must be non flammable bc brakes are very hot; sound logic... After a few beers at a BBQ/backyard firepit, we tested the theory. Huge ball of flames from both cans of carb cleaner and brake cleaner.

Please do NOT use as fire extinguisher!!!! At least not cheap autozone brand brake cleaner. I felt like I had to throw the out there

I do love the stuff and go though lots of cans... As for oil pans (hence why I am looking at a 2006 thread), mine came off with a old brittle gasket with both sides of orange gasket maker. PITA to get off, any ideas without damaging the pan?

I am going to buy high temp gasket maker to reinstall new gasket. It might be overkill but it can't hurt right? Oil leaks are gross and give us w123 owners a bad image. Esp in older low compression/high blow by motors. Higher internal pressure pushes oil out I have heard. Any oil leak advice?