88 560SL.. valve cover gaskets

[mattcara]

hi all

1988 560SL 80 k miles

I have a few minor leaks , looks like the valve cover gaskets..

anyone have any exper. here? with cost and time estimates?

thank you///////

[Strife]

This is a moderately easy replacement, although on the R side you have to remove some vacuum lines, and on the L side you have to remove the brake booster hose and a few fuel couplings (which require flare wrenches for disconnecting and definitely no-leak reconnecting!). Even after doing this, the L cover is a very tight fit. You also need to be careful when removing the spark plug wires, don't pull on the wires, twist the boots (only) off!

You need the small copper crush washers for the bolts as well as the gaskets themselves. It is extremely imporant that you use a torque wrench (a 1/4", low-value model) and torque to spec upon replacement, and slowly cross-tighten to final value. The valve covers are very thin castings and will defintely warp if overtorqued or mistorqued. I think a lot of people keep tightening covers with old shrunken dead gaskets, which doesn't help.

This is also a good time to replace the very inexpensive oil cap gasket, which hardens, shrinks, and leaks over time.

[mattcara]

thank you!