Three Fairly Simple M116/(117) Questions

[Strife]

These questions are related to this thread:

116 Engine Serious Valvetrain Oiling Problem

1. Would Mercedes ever have used RTV from the factory in these engines? Seems with the tiny and critical oiling passages/outlets, this would be just begging for trouble.

2. If RTV has been used in an engine, wouldn't it wind up in the oil pan, and either (a). Be screened out by the oil pump screen, or (b). Be filtered by the oil filter? Even if a very sloppy person (not me) used RTV to seal say, the valve covers, wouldn't that just go down the drainback to the pan and sit there?

3. I have a line on replacement LH camshaft, bearings, and followers for a 116, from an otherwise well-maintained engine that had jumped the chain and locked up (see thread above for the reason). It's possible that the cam was bent or the bearings stretched from this, correct? Likely? Any odds? I'm getting these at a good price and even if all that I can salvage are the followers from the deal, I will still be ahead. My plan is to see if I can install the cam in the bearings on the head, without any binding (or worse, I suppose, rattling); if it is installable and turns without any binding spots it must be straight, right? I've installed the cam on the right side of this engine apparently successfully 15K miles ago, so I'm aware just how tight the tolerances on those bearings are. It took a lot of small raps with a rubber mallet to get everything just right.

Any learned or even speculative opinions welcomed.

[mbdoc]

RTV was never used by MB on that engine!

However in the mid 90's MB started using Loctite 5900 sealer that is RTV. Most dealers use only that product NOW.

Using excessive amounts of RTV can clog oil/lubrication ports.