83 300d valve cover gasket install advice

[Cinnamonandgravy]

So there's countless threads about this topic, and I've read, I don't know... 20 of em out of curiosity.

I haven't seen anyone say this so maybe this'll help another retard like me: if your w123 300d has a cruise control module, just unbolt it from its base (just 3 easy bolts or so) and move it a few inches away from the engine. This way you don't have to lower in the valve cover like its a damn puzzle with the gasket catching on this and that. Just move the damn cruise control module and the valve cover goes in directly and easily.

Also, no leaks with a victor reinz gasket. No sealant used, just very clean mating surfaces, and made sure the gasket was really on the valve cover. Used crush washers too.

Edit: I also shaved down 2 of the 4 'shoulders' of the valve cover (the two driver side ones) a fraction of an inch... Probably 1/16 of an inch, maybe less (those were my two problem areas for leaks). Just felt that when tightening down the valve cover, it was bottoming out and wasn't really compressing much of anything.

[charmalu]

Sound like you got her nailed.

I never use any sealant.
I just wash the VC in a pan of gas to clean off the gunk and grime. Then
spray it down with Carb Cleaner and air dry.

Wipe down the head where the gasket sits with carb cleaner or alcohol etc
to get it squeaky clean.

I use the gasket till I see them start to seep a little oil. Used the last one for 5 yrs.
Just recently replaced it with a Victor Reinz w/o any leaks like I read problems some guys have.

Some times getting the cover to drop right on can be a pita, then suddenly it drops on.

Charlie


sent from my pos computer

[mannys9130]

The VR gasket on my 601 leaked, and the replacement for the leaky one leaked too. No sealent, clean surfaces, torqued to spec inside to outside as you should and retorqued while hot. Still leaks. Makes me very upset.

I hope yours does not leak, but I'd be surprised if you can get it to seal again in a year or two when you need to adjust the valves again.

[rocky raccoon]

a heavy assembly grease to hold the gasket in place while installing. A thin coat on the surface also promotes sealing without the use of a "gasket sealer" that has to be scraped off at the next removal.

[oldsinner111]

I just glue mine to cover,then install without moving cruise control.

[Cinnamonandgravy]

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

I just glue mine to cover,then install without moving cruise control.

ive had enough trouble with leaky VC gaskets.

bought the car and it was leaking.

had it at a shop and they claimed they could fix the leak. figured 'sure, im already here getting some work done, if it a shot' (was rebuilding the driveshaft). still leaked.

tried replacing it myself. still leaked (this time way worse.. my god, so much worse).

pulled it off again, cleaned everything the best i could, reused the gasket, and initially tried using a tiny bit of red RTV sealant to hold the gasket to the VC. after letting the RTV cure, i just didnt like the look of it with its "flakiness" scaring me. removed all sealant/cleaned the gasket and VC again then had the epiphany to just move the damn cruise control module which made life much easier.

hundreds of miles driven and bone dry so far.

(before i moved the cruise control module i was really fighting to get the VC back on without having the gasket fall off. during my frustration, i broke the pressure line going to the ALDA drove around and realized my turbo wasnt working. 50c of polyethylene tubing fixed that though... and the banjo bolt wasnt exactly clean... these cars are fun little adventures!)

[Dan Stokes]

I did a thread on flattening the cam cover on a flat surface using stick-on straight line sander paper. Maybe one of the computer-literate readers can find it. Anyhow, I used my table saw top which is an old cast iron Craftsman and it worked perfectly. Evidently, if the cover isn't flat it WILL leak. I recommend you try this method.

Dan

[Diesel911]

I removed the cruise control and left it off. Never felt the need for a cruise control and don't even know if it worked.

[lovedumpster]

Looks like I dodged a bullet on this one. Put a new gasket on after adjusting the lash and hasn't leaked since.

[Carpenterman]

After years of leak-free performance and careful installation, my last two VR gaskets leak. Very frustrating.

I even tried the sandpaper on a flat surface trick.

What's up with these gaskets? What brand is better?