I need to replace my leaking oil pan gasket because it has started to leak. I was wondering if I need to use RTV sealant or do I just use a new gasket? Thanks

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

As long as the pan has no dents on the mating surface, no sealant is necessary.

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Don't Chrome them; polish them

Thanks

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

I'm not sure of the Mercedes shop manual spec. for your pan. Mine (for the 560SL M117 engine) calls for a bit of grease on one side of the gasket, probably to hold it in place during mounting.
I read a bunch of threads here discussing this subject, and the consensus was to use sealant anyway, with a whole range of 'what kind I use' recommendations.
On the SL, you have to drop the entire front end subframe to drop the pan. I didn't ever want to go there again, and I also noticed a very, very slight misalignment of the rear flange with the engine pan mounting surface. Someone had applied waaaay to much sealant to try and correct a leak there, the cheap black stuff. Several huge chunks fetched up in the oil pump screen.
I went with a thin coat of Permatex blue on the pan itself, to glue the gasket down, then another thin coat on the gasket to seal to the engine/flange surface. I applied a bit more in the rear corners where the sealing area is very narrow.
I let the engine drip overnight after removing the pan before final cleaning and gasket/replacement work. I used brake cleaner and laquer thinner as cleaning solvents.
Pay close attention to the torque specification for the pan bolts.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus