85 380 sl torque specs rear main seal cover plate

[bond619]

Hi, I have an 85 380 sl, 116.962 and had a friend drop my transmission to change my rear main seal, however once inspecting, the oil leak was coming from the top of the cover plate.

My friend just used a sealant, and tightened the bolts which I believe were 10mm 5 on each side and two at the bottom of plate. We were surprised, that there was no gasket there. he did apply some kind of heat resistant sealant, and did use it on the bottom bolts, I assume that was to stop oil leaking from the two bolts at the bottom of the cover plate, he also applied it to the back of the cover plate, he waited 10min. then proceeded to place and tighten.

the mild oil leak stopped for 9 months, but it's now back again.

he did change the rear main seal, and the transmission seal, even though neither showed any signs of leaking.

I suspect he did not torque the cover plate the correct way and to the correct torque specs.
I have seen the manual, however, I don't understand it, and was hoping
someone could share their experience on how to (torque the rear main seal cover plate) and how to do it correctly.

I plan on using reinzosil liquid sealant. Would you agree with this brand-type of sealant for this cover plate leak?

I apologize for any typos, or if I'm not explaining myself, or if I'm just not following the what the manual says. I did have a small stroke, but I'm determined to work on my 85 380 sl myself.

Any help, explanation, pictures would be very helpful. , other than just pointing to the manual procedure which does not make sense to me since it talks about different types of bolts: fastening screws for end cover:9nm (necked down bolts for driven plates 30 to 40nm) angle of rotation torque 90-100 degrees. All this means nothing to me. At least not yet. but I'm a very fast learner! could it be that the bolts I need to torque are only 9nm? and the others are for a different kind of plate?
o.k. I'm just guessing.

Again, your help will allow me to help myself!
thank you in advance!

[Frank Reiner]

bond619:

1) The oil leak which you are experiencing now may or may not be from the cover joint. The crankshaft seal itself is quite sensitive to centering; MB has a tool for that purpose, but with care the installation can be made without it.

2) The cover screws (M6 thread) total count 13, in two different lengths, are tightened to 9Nm (80 lb-in) simply by going around in two steps; first 40 lb-in, and then 80.

3) The reference to necked-down bolts is for the bolts which attach the flex plate/ring gear assembly to the crankshaft. Those bolts do not attach the seal holder/cover plate to the crankcase.

[bond619]

thank you for taking the time to explain! And yes, I had thought about it now being the actual seal since my friend kind of went installing it in a circle pattern rather than straight forward.

was just wondering how you felt about the sealant I'm going to be using:

reinzosil sealant?? for two bottom bolts and all around cover plate.

thank you again, and I'm blessed that I can still move talk and work a bit. and love life, and don't take anything for granted. My advice, and nobody is asking is that we stay away from stress all we can!working on these cars is a true joy! but never ending learning process...
thank you!