I'm sure your mechanic will do the full gasket kit along with the head gasket: valve cover gasket, intake manifold gasket, and the gasket at the front of the head where it meets the timing chain cover.

I'll second the motion on the egr tube.

It's about $100, but it's worth it since everything is off.

The original tubes were too short, causing the carbon build-up problem where the tube inserts into the intake manifold.

The new tubes are longer, sticking further into the intake manifold, which apparently solves the problem.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".