M116 Lower Oil Pan Torque with VictorReinz Gasket??
 

Hey everyone,

I just replaced the oil level sender seals, oil pickup and oil pan on my 420SEL.

I used VictorReinz gasket and I initially tightened all the Alan bolts down to 10-Nm as specified in the FSM.

I had to borrow a 3/8" drive torque wrench as my 1/2" drive didn't go down that low. Actually the 3/8" drive didn't go down low enough either. I ordered a 1/4" drive torque wrench yesterday just so that I have it in the future.

However soon after a large leak sprung up on my driveway!

So I went back under and gave it a 1/4 turn and put some cardboard under it. The leak was less than before but still not gone.

Another 1/4 turn and it diminished to like 4-5 quarter size drips so I went back under and did another 1/4 turn and we'll see how it goes...

I was thinking, for whatever reason would the victor reinz gasket require a different torque than normal to fully squish it into place?

I rather dislike pans and gaskets, I have a bad history with them. I ended up over-torquing two transmission pans and bending the lip and ripping the gasket.

I properly torque this oil pan down and it leaks! :(

I will never use Victor Reinz gaskets again. A friend and I both have M119 engines and a few months ago we both changed our upper timing chain guides, using Victor Reinz valve cover gaskets for reassembly. We torqued the valve cover bolts to the specified setting, but almost immediately noticed that the gaskets on the passenger side cylinder banks were leaking oil.

My friend who has the 500E replaced the Victor Reinz gaskets with facotry gaskets and the leak completely stopped. I decided I would try to go a few nm higher on the torque, but no luck. Changing valve cover gaskets is now on my to-do list when I get the time. I guess when it comes to gaskets, you get what you pay for. Trying to save a few bucks has caused me more trouble than it's worth.

Best of luck.

and here I thought I was using a 'better' quality gasket! I saw a $9 MTC gasket and a $19 VictorReinz gasket and figured MTC has a shoddy reputation...

Interesting according to the EPC, the original 116 part number was replaced by A1190140822. On Auto Haus, they still have the 116 parts listed.

I didnt even think to chck the EPC, now wonder XXXX didnt like the 116 part for sale anymore.. I was originally going to buy from them anyway.

aRg.

I wonder if it would be worth it to recover the oil using clean containers and ordering up a 119 part number gasket and trying again...

I'd check the pan carefully when you do. It's possible someone had previously overtorqued the pan distorting it, now requiring the same "overtorque" to get a decent seal on it.

I think I'm just going to throw it up to the shop. I want them to check out some possible lifter noise too.

I dont really want to screw up the seal again and cost myself more in oil.