Author Topic: Gaskets and Sealant (Read 2567 times)

ecalder · « **on:** February 10, 2010, 09:23:27 PM »

OK I answered a few of my own questions from my previous post. I guess I got a little excited an wrote way too much stuff and too many questions...

But I'm confused about the seals. I've read conflicting information betweent other threads and also the chilton manual.

Oil pan gasket AND Oil Filter Housing - Do I just place the dry gasket and bolt it together or do I apply any kind of gasket sealer?

Valve Cover Gasket - For the m42 Chilton says just insert the gasket into the cover and screw it down, but for the other engines it says to apply non hardening sealant to the corners of the half moon notches in the back of the engine.

In summary, can a non hardening sealant hurt anything or is it ok as an extra precaution? the ideas is to stop the oil leaks so I'd rather be on the safe side unless it is harmful to the seal itself.

Thanks.

BlueBMW · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:30:20 PM »

I swear by this stuff. Its harder to find now, but I used it on all sorts of gaskets. I've never had a valve cover gasket come back on me prematurely (over 5 years of working at a dealership) when I use this stuff.

http://www.europeanmotorworks.com/pvw/UN-125-1000/oils-chemicals/Curil+K2+Sealing+Compound

ecalder · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:35:28 PM »

OK I'll look for it. Otherwise any non hardeining sealant will work? Also do I apply it to everything or just certain parts?

BlueBMW · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:26:48 PM »

I've applied sealant like that Curil K stuff to the entire gasket, but if you dont have something like that.... a little black rtv in sharp corners works wonders. (an example is the half moon shapes on the back of M54 and M62 valve covers) Normally though, putting the gaskets on dry seems to get the job done.

ecalder · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:33:36 PM »

Aha! So it is the sharp corners that need the sealant, I didn't quite understand why the manuals said to put the sealant only in that one spot (the half moons). I'll put some permatex black atv on these half moons in my m42 to be sure and leave the rest of the gasket dry, along with the fuel filter housing and the oil pan. Then I'll hope for the best.

BlueBMW · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:35:17 PM »

Quote from: ecalder;87189

Aha! So it is the sharp corners that need the sealant, I didn't quite understand why the manuals said to put the sealant only in that one spot (the half moons). I'll put some permatex black atv on these half moons in my m42 to be sure and leave the rest of the gasket dry, along with the fuel filter housing and the oil pan. Then I'll hope for the best.

That's how I do them. If I have Curil K I use it, if not though black rtv works great!

ecalder · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:42:53 PM »

Thanks a million... I'm new to all of this car stuff so I second guess everything then get stuck until I get a clear answer. I guess I don't want to screw anything up!