Mercedes Sprinter Left Cylinder Head Gasket – Elring | NCV3 3.0L OM642 | #6420165120 (2007–2022)

A failed left cylinder head gasket on a Sprinter OM642 allows combustion gases to escape between the head and block, allows coolant to enter the oil circuit, or allows oil to leak externally — any of which causes engine damage that progresses rapidly without immediate repair. This is the Elring left cylinder head gasket for NCV3 and VS30 Sprinters equipped with the 3.0L OM642 V6 diesel engine, a direct replacement for the left (driver side) bank that restores the sealed combustion, oil, and coolant boundaries between the left cylinder head and engine block.

What This Part Does

The cylinder head gasket is the critical multi-layer steel (MLS) sealing element that sits between the cylinder head and engine block at each bank. On the OM642 V6, the left bank head gasket must simultaneously seal three combustion chambers at up to 1,600 bar peak cylinder pressure, maintain oil passage continuity between the block and head for camshaft and lifter lubrication, and keep the coolant circuit passages sealed away from both the combustion chambers and oil galleries. The gasket achieves this through a multi-layer steel construction with embossed sealing beads around each combustion bore and fluid port, backed by surface coatings that conform to minor surface irregularities. When the gasket fails — from overheating, insufficient head bolt torque, or age — the consequences are immediate and severe.

Common Symptoms of a Failed Left Head Gasket

• White smoke from the exhaust from coolant entering the left bank combustion chambers
• Milky oil or coolant loss without external leak — coolant mixing with oil at the left head
• External oil seeping at the head-to-block seam on the left side of the engine
• Compression loss on one or more left bank cylinders confirmed by compression test
• Overheating from coolant loss into combustion chambers or exhaust

When to Replace

Replace whenever the left cylinder head is removed — never reinstall a used head gasket. Also replace when any of the above symptoms are confirmed and traced to the left bank. Always resurface both mating faces to specification, replace head bolts, and torque to the factory angle-tightening sequence.

NCV3 & VS30 OM642 Specific — Engine Verification Required

This gasket is for the left bank of NCV3 and VS30 Sprinters equipped with the 3.0L OM642 V6 diesel engine. Left and right head gaskets are different parts. Always verify your engine code before ordering.

Fitment

• 2007–2018 Mercedes-Benz / Dodge / Freightliner Sprinter 2500 / 3500 – 3.0L OM642 left bank (NCV3)
• 2019–2022 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 / 3500 – 3.0L OM642 left bank (VS30)

✔ Left bank only — right bank requires #6420165220
✔ Never reuse a head gasket — replace every time the head is removed
✔ Always resurface mating faces and replace head bolts at the same service

Part Numbers

• Mercedes OEM: 6420165120 / A6420165120 / 642-016-51-20
• Manufacturer: Elring — 475.490
• SKU: 6420165120ELR