Gentelmen

It does appear that I will be needing to replace my left head gasket. There are two brands avaialble Reinz or Elring. I would like to get everyones preference.

Thank You
John Roncallo

elring is the company that makes the gaskets for mercedes. they are the only way to go to avoid future oil leaks!
Ray
mercedessd@cox.net

Elring gaskets are paramount. The kit comes w/ exaust gaskets, both brass washers, and two intake gaskets. Also, I would just pull the other head while you got it apart and do the chain-tentioner/rails. You can just pull one head, but this way you will be sure of any further problems. les

all the repeat head gasket failures i've seen over the years have all been elring. me and other techs in my area have all agreed that reinz and goetz are a better gasket. just because the manuf uses elring doesn't mean they are the best. some may disagree. i can only speak for what i see going in and out of my shop.
paul

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Paul Roberts
Mercedes Centrum Inc.
Bellevue,WA.

But, non-sarcastic question: why is it leaking now if the gaskets are that good?

I used Elring gasket sets on my 110 and 116 engines, with no problems.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

the gaskets that are in the engines originally are different than the new ones, elring and mercedes have togeather made changes in how the gasket seals and where they put sealing washers and heat activated sealant. mercedes are known to leak oil at cylinder head gaskets. so that is why new elrings are different than the original. modifications were made.

I once had a very experienced dealer tech tell me to stay away from the 104 gasket from the dealer - that the aftermarket (SFS in this case) was better. Admittedly the dealer parts are normally of the highest quality - but it's a mistake to accept it as a permanent unquestioned truth.

Gentelmen

Thank you for the replys.

John Roncallo