Mercedes Benz Valve Cover Gaskets: The Best Protection From Engine Leaks

Mercedes Benz Valve Cover Gaskets: The Best Protection From Engine Leaks
by Miranda Restelle
Mercedes Benz cars are known for their technological innovations and their emphasis on safety. They were the first to introduce the safety cage, anti-lock brakes, airbags and traction control, to name a few. These safety features are standard in every Mercedes car. Daimler Benz AG, the company that used to produce Mercedes Benz Cars was formed from the merging of two companies namely Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) and Benz & Cie in June 28, 1926. These two companies started to work together due to the arising need that rooted from a troubled German economy during the World War 1. They finally merged in 1926 and became Daimler-Benz AG. Today, Mercedes-Benz cars are already owned by DaimlerChrysler AG. Proper maintenance is still the best way to go when there is a need to keep a Mercedes car at its best. One way of maintaining is keeping its engine away form leaks. An one common source of leaks is the a damaged Mercedes Benz valve cover gasket. The Mercedes valve train is composed of the rocker arms, valve springs, push rods, lifters and cam. It is covered by the valve cover wherein oil is pumped up through the pushrods and dispersed underneath in order to lubricate the various parts of the engine Aside form this, the valve also protects the various valve train components, particularly the valves and the rocker arms, from various damages. Because of these important functions, the valve cover must be oil-tight because it is often the source of oil leaks. This is where the valve cover gasket comes in. The Mercedes Benz valve cover gasket further ensures a better tightening of the seal between the valve cover and the cylinder head. Valve covers are meant to be removable for easy access to the valves when they need adjustments. Each time that the valve cover is removed, however, there is a need to replace the valve cover gasket with a new one
A Mercedes Benz valve cover gasket is located beneath the valve cover. It is basically a metal lid that sits on top of the cylinder head. Mercedes valve cover gaskets act like sealants between the cover and the engine with the purpose of preventing the oil form leaking out. While doing this function, they also keep dust and debris out of the engine at the same time. It is when they become saturated that the oil from the engine begins to leak. Most of these contaminants and build-ups are dirt, carbon, dust and even old gasket residue. The rule of thumb is, the more often you have an oil change, the lesser the amount of build-up that can occur which can cause saturation. Moreover, it is common for a valve cover gasket of an older engine to develop a leak and does not pose a serious problem. Its replacement is a minor job, but it should be immediately attended to. The number of valve cover gaskets depends on the type of engine your car has. Some engines have as much as four valve cover gaskets. The most durable valve cover gaskets are believed to be those made of silicone. Valve cover gaskets made of rubber and cork are also available.
Improper installation of the Mercedes Benz valve cover gasket is usually the cause of oil leaks. Another cause is the warping of the valve cover or the damages it incurs during removal and replacement. For some cars, a smell of burning oil in the cabin is usually an indicator of a leaking valve cover gasket or cam chain tensioner gasket. There may also be an accumulation of oil on the belly pan and various engine components. Symptoms also include the presence of oil on top of the cylinder head and near the spark-plug connections.