Do I need a new camshaft seal?
 

:confused: I'm in the process of repairing my cylinder heads and gasket on a '91 300CE. I'm going to place an order with Fastlane for some parts that I'll need. My question is, do I need to order a new camshaft seal? Another question I have is, I do need to use some sort of sealing compound on the top cover or is it machined so that it is unnecessary? I want to make sure that it doesn't leak so that I won't have to tear it apart again.

yes replace seal cheap insurance, they recommend loctite 509 under the chain cover

The seal should come as part of the head gasket set unless you ordered just the gasket and not the set.

You do need sealer between the cover and the head as well as just a dab in the corners for the "horseshoe" seal. Don't use sealant anywhere else on the "horseshoe" seal. Some people think more is better on the seal, it isn't.:cool:

The guys above are right on; sealant on the vertical surfaces and a tiny dab in the corners of the horseshoe seal. I've replaced mine a few times in 18 years, and I always put the round seal in the cover first, rather than trying to install it last, without having the special tool. Another good trick I found to make the front cover slide easily over the horseshoe seal is to lubricate it with spit!
Spit is real slick, then dries up; so it works pretty well - cheap too.

DG

I am about to seal mine...
 

Clear or green spit...? I hope this is not another string similar to green or red coolant...:D

jmerc6, buy the black sealant from your local MB dealer. It's worth the money.

Thanks for the advice. I'll check my box of goodies and see if there is a seal. I'm also going to order the sealant for the dealership. Just a little insurance, I'll borrow some of my son's dip and use brown spit.

Brown? Brown?
That was SPIT, spelled SPIT!
Did I mix up my P's and H's again?
For those of us with delicate sensibilities, I suppose water with a smidge of soap would make a suitable lubricant. Or, just hold the part near your dog, and he will fix you up.

Merry Christmas you bunch of whackos,
DG

Now, now... that's not PC. ;)

I'm going through the steering on the 300SEL today :)

Sorry I've been on Xmas vacation and just got back. If you were from the south you would know that snuff mixed with spit makes the color brown.