Fixing a leaky timing chain cover
 

As my chain boke, I can now try to fix my leaky timing chain cover.

Is there a best method of puting this gasketless cover back on without leaking. I don't think this thing ever did not leak. I think the previous owner has has an Atlanta Rolls/Mercedes dealer try several times. It has been gooped up with sealant.

I was thinking about using silk thread. Airplane engine rebuild shops use it to seal crankcase halves.

Has anyone tried using silk or is the fit on these parts to imperfect for this method?

If you use a new horseshoe gasket and the Mercedes Black sealer, it will not leak when done. I have done dozens with good results.

The thing I have found with persistant leaks is that the head gasket or the lower front cover is leaking. If this is the case, you will only be able to repair by removing the front lower cover or replacing the head gasket or both.

I have done a number of these under warranty and the car comes in 10k mile later BONE DRY .... Like a HONDA under the bottom.

Cost to replace head gasket?
 

What should I expect to pay to r/r the head gasket?

I, too, used a .50 silk thread when putting my case halves back together on my cessna. It works on the continental very well but the main reason for the thread on aircraft is because of flexing and movement of the case halves. You should not experience this problem with the timing cover. On my 380 I used the M/B black silicon as prescribed and it worked perfectly. Care should be taken in laying a small 'string bead' to the cover and then placing, with minimum lateral movement, straight onto the block. Do not smear the sealant flat on the plate as this may leave you with unprotected portions. Using a string of sealant allows the plate to press out across the surfaces as it is tightened. Slowly tighten each bolt in turn as cover is cinched up, allowing the sealant to work its way flat. I used a very small amount as to not smear the junk into cover openings. No leaks! As mentioned above, if overhang of head gasket has been violated at junction of timing cover, you may have the leak, also be careful to put sealant at bottom junction completely. After bolts of cover are cinched up, (not too tight), proceed to torque the through head bolts first, then tighten the horizontal cover bolts. FWIW.

mplefluer,

Unless I missed it somehow, you never said what model MB you are talking about. I'm assuming from Donnie's response that it is an M103 engine, but I'm not sure.

Have a great day,

mplefleur,

Never mind! I remember you now from the broken timing chain thread.

Good luck with your project,

Thanks guys. I have alot of good stuff to go on.