Leak-Free 617:

[Doktor Bert]

Here are my tips for a leak-free 617 engine. Some may take issue with my methodology, but this is what I do:

Piston Rings:

Total Seal Gapless Rings - No Substitutes, Ever. They will modify your new OEM rings to gapless at their Arizona facility. I use a gapless second ring only in the 617 engines.

Rear Main Seal:

Genuine Mercedes-Benz, period. Roll into place with a wooden dowel. Leave about 5/16" sticking up in the cap and cut the seal flush in the block. Use The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV on the back of the seal and on the ends.

Oil Pan To Block:

Loctite 574 Flange Sealant - Nothing Else - Also Available from Wurth

Sump To Oil Pan:

MBZ OEM gasket with The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket. Tighten as tight as you can with a NUTDRIVER by hand.

Front Crank Seal:

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Only - Coat OD of seal with Purple Permatex High-Tack Sealant

Oil Filter Housing:

Genuine Mercedes-Benz Gasket with light coat of The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

Cam Cover Gasket:

Genuine MBZ Only with light coat of The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

Intake Gasket:

Genuine MBZ Only with light coat of The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

NOTE: These will 'bleed' oil if not sealed when the turbo pressurizes the blow-by mist.

Valve Stem Seals:

Genuine MBZ Only - DO NOT mix up Intake & Exhaust Seals!!!

Chain Tensioner:

Genuine MBZ Gasket Only - Light coat of The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

Turbo Compressor Housing to Inlet:

Light coat of The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

Turbo Inlet to Intake Manifold O-Rings:

Genuine MBZ Only - Light coat of The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

NOTE: These will 'bleed' oil if not sealed when the turbo pressurizes the blow-by mist.

Turbo Drain Tube:

Genuine MBZ Only - Light coat of The Right Stuff or Ultra Black RTV. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

Fuel Filter Retaining Bolt:

New Aluminum Washer Coated with Thin Film of Loctite 574 Flange Sealant - Nothing Else. The amount of sealant is correct when you cannot see it squeeze out past the gasket.

Head Bolts:

New MBZ Only - Coat Threads and Washers with Wurth CU-1100 Copper Hi-Temp Lubricant Paste - Torque to specification

Things to Avoid:

Any gasket or part with a 'No name' package.

Hope this helps...Robert