Curing the Common Valve Cover Oil Leak on the OM616 and OM617 Diesel Engines

A very common problem that requires MORE than just installing a new rubber gasket

If you own or plan to own a 1969 to 1985 Mercedes diesel this is something you need to be aware of. These leaks are never large. It just seems like oil weeps out of the gasket and over time makes the valve cover and upper part of the engine block oily and dirty. Many owners are surprised after installing a new gasket that the problem is not fixed!

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Problem & Solution

Common among these chassis:

W115
W116
W123
W126

The problem is due to years of over tightening the valve cover. This leads to a cover that can not be fully tightened onto the cylinder head. See Kent's on demand video to learn the tricks he uses to solve this pesky problem once and for all. Never try to use gasket sealant and be careful not to over tighten the four nuts when looking for ways to stop a small leak. Always install a new gasket when replacing a valve cover and always use wave washers to keep the hold down nuts from backing out.