What methods do you guys use to install gaskets?

[StryfeS13]

Im talking about little paper thin gaskets like the water pump gasket, thermostat housing gasket, oil pan cork gasket, etc.

Do you guys just use ultra grey rtv on both sides, let it tack up, the install? OR do you use gasket glue and glue the gasket to one side, then use rtv on the otherside?

example, glue gasket to water pump, put bead of liquid gasket on engine water pump housing, then install?

Or do you just install them dry?!

[martins_240sx]

dry...especially on the cork gaskets, the silicon will push the gasket out or in

[TheRealNap0le0n]

Im talking about little paper thin gaskets like the water pump gasket, thermostat housing gasket, oil pan cork gasket, etc.

Do you guys just use ultra grey rtv on both sides, let it tack up, the install? OR do you use gasket glue and glue the gasket to one side, then use rtv on the otherside?

example, glue gasket to water pump, put bead of liquid gasket on engine water pump housing, then install?

Or do you just install them dry?!

i use RTV on all the things you just mentioned.


btw cork oilpan gasket on a ka = oil leaks, just FYI almost all nissan factory oil pans and most of the water pump and thermostat gaskets are just rtv from the factory as well

[StryfeS13]

It's not cork, my mistake.

I believe it is rubber. It smells like rubber lol, and it's a little stretchy.

@ napoleon - you just use rtv instead of gaskets? What about where the rear main seal housing bolts to the motor? hope you know what I'm talking about.

[martins_240sx]

if there is a groove cut into the matting surface it is intended for rtv. if it is flat matting surface then it was originally intended for a gasket...

[costa_rican13]

if there is a groove cut into the matting surface it is intended for rtv. if it is flat matting surface then it was originally intended for a gasket...

what about the valve cover gasket?? it has the groove but uses a rubber gasket seal. with some rtv on the head under the grovvets.

[martins_240sx]

okay you got me there...not really the groove i was refering to....but the grommets, yes those are the grooves...shallow grooves...dont get me wrong, I use rtv on damn near everything, you hust have to take common sense into action.

[costa_rican13]

just making sure, because i use it to. i am interested to learn in everything about maintanence. so i was like wait what?? but awesome we got everything cleared up.

[1KleenS13]

"The Right Stuff" is some of the best sealer I've used. I used it when I did my timing chain and oil pan gasket and the car is tighter than a bullfrog's a**.

[Brandon1605]

RTV on a rubber (or paper) gasket is just overkill and likely to be something you regret later on since it has the potential of ending up in your oil as chunks. Use some spray on gasket tack if you need to hold it in place and bolt it up. The paper and rubber gaskets are designed to seal just fine alone. If it leaks, its the installer... not the gasket.

[TheRealNap0le0n]

It's not cork, my mistake.

I believe it is rubber. It smells like rubber lol, and it's a little stretchy.

@ napoleon - you just use rtv instead of gaskets? What about where the rear main seal housing bolts to the motor? hope you know what I'm talking about.

RTV is on everything except the RMS and FMS those go on dry, the valve cover gasket is a rubber one also dry,

my themostat housing, wp, oil pan all have rtv. IIRC is ultra grey.

on my camaro i even used RTV to seal the upper plenum to the lower intake manifold with success.

[TheRealNap0le0n]

if you use RTV you NEED to let it set up especially if it is used where theres vacuum. IE intake manifold.

[chaosli]

i use copper gasket spray of the thin stuff and stright up rtv on stuff that dont have gaskets

[OutToWinPAHC]

Depends on the gasket.... but I always clean the surface with Laquer thinner then hit it with fine steel wool or a scotch bright pad. Rubber o ring gaskets I lube with oil, other gaskets are dry, cork I avoid all together