Wow, you're doing a bang up job here .

I usually remove the flange studs and use a really W I D E fine bastard file I bought decades ago to true up flat sealing surfaces ~ those who don't understand it will cringe in horror but I've corrected many sealing issues this way as you did .

You must really like whomever owns this car for the good job you're doing on it ~ the devil is always in the details and most Mechanics like to do flat rate and skip anything not absolutely necessary .

I wonder of the dipstick tub's upper grommet is the same as my OM617 ? it came loose recently and wobbles ~ not weeping any oil (yet) but it being loose bothers the heck out of me .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better