I plan to replace the valve stem seals on my '92 300e and remember reading that Mercedes has an improved the seal design. If I bought new seals from the dealer would they be any better than the ones from Fastlane?

I normally buy parts from Fastlane and find them to be excellent (same or equal in quality to oem). I'm looking for the best valve stem seals possible though to try to cuy down on oil consumption. Any suggestions?

Read these threads about a poor guy who did his valve stems over in Diesel Discussion. Granted its for a diesel engine but his troubles might save you some. This poor guy had a horrible time of it. Better luck to you.

Aaaaarrrrrrgggghhhh!!! Please tell me I haven't REALLY blown it.

Calling Boneheaddoctor... Rocker bolt #5 broke off despite correct torque.

I blew it!...forgot to protect one of the valve stems when putting on a seal.

__________________
Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

Improved valve seals went into production circa 1989/90 and IIRC the primary change was upgrading the inlet side seals to viton, which is more resistant to hardening from exposure to high temperature than the previous material. I recall that the exhaust side seals were already viton.

Chances are any replacement seals from a reputable manufacturer will be manufactured from the latest OE spec materials.

M103s tend to have a higher oil appetite than other Mercedes engines, and if seals don't improve the situation, new guides are probably in order.

Oil consumption in and of itself is merely a nuissance until it gets down to a quart every few hundred miles or the car fails emission tests.

Duke

The seals being upgraded to Viton makes sense. I replaced the seals about 4 years ago with the head on using compressed air. I remember the original intake and exhaust seals were different colors (black and brown). The replacements were all brown.

My oil consumption is not really a problem. I found that if I keep the oil level a bit above 5 quarts it consumes much less that if it is topped up at 6. I use maybe a quart every 1000 to 1500 miles. I'm replacing the seals because the head gasket is leaking some coolant and since I'm pulling the head I might as well take care of everything. I don't think the head has ever been off the car and I was planning to replace the 1988 era valve guides, but after reading other posts, maybe I should leave well enough alone and not replace the guides. The car runs great, doesn't use too much oil and I sure don't want to create more problems than I started with.

Just realized I listed the wrong car in the original post. Mine is a '88 260e that needs a head gasket.

The '92 300e is my wife's car and it is fine.