Silicon On Gaskets?

[C-flo]

Quick question.......
I'm reinstalling my water pump, and I was wondering if it is a good idea to spread silicon on the gasket before placing it on the pump, or on the motor and if it is better to put it on there should I put it on both sides, one or the other or what?

 

[paradox616]

Quick question.......
I'm reinstalling my water pump, and I was wondering if it is a good idea to spread silicon on the gasket before placing it on the pump, or on the motor and if it is better to put it on there should I put it on both sides, one or the other or what?

yeah its a good idea, use the automotive sensor safe stuff in case any travels up to the sensors (the stuff is orange in colour)

i usually use my finger to spread it thin you don't need heaps, i used it on a lot of paper gaskets and it helps seal lots especially if the surfaces haven't been machined helps fill in the imperfections in the matting surfaces

 

[turbotoy]

If the old gasket material has been adequately removed and the surfaces have not been gouged, there is no need to use anything other than the OEM gasket; it will just make cleanup in the future that much more of a pain.

 

[C-flo]

the sealing surface is in great shape still. Ill probably just scrape the surface good and bolt it up and if I have any problems I can always take it back off and put some on there. The torque spec on the bolts is only 7 lbs. so if I did have to take it back off, the gasket should still be usable.

 

[Poodles]

Correction, it's 78 in-lb (which would be 6.5 ft-lb) for the 10mm's and 14 ft-lb for the 12mm's

I didn't use anything besides the gasket and it's never leaked.

 

[toyotanos]

I'm with turbotoy. The only reason I'd use silicone sealer would be if there was damage to the sealing surface (razor blade dug in, corrosion, etc). Paper gaskets work pretty good as long as both surfaces are clean and flat.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Agreed, don't use any sealant, use the gasket only.

Sealant should be used where sealant is called for, likewise for gaskets.

Jeff

 

[Zumtizzle]

I like to give my gaskets a VERY light coat of Gray Permatex i put it on my fingers (with gloves) and rub it on. To seal off imperfections. I just used it on the Timing cover gasket and rear crank cover.

 

[paradox616]

If the old gasket material has been adequately removed and the surfaces have not been gouged, there is no need to use anything other than the OEM gasket; it will just make cleanup in the future that much more of a pain.

silicon peels off easy., and as a result the paper gasket does not get caked on and is also easy to remove.

everyone has their own preference. i prefer not to have to reseal things twice in the first place.

 

[C-flo]

Correction, it's 78 in-lb (which would be 6.5 ft-lb) for the 10mm's and 14 ft-lb for the 12mm's

The Chilton's Manual I picked Up off ebay or amazon, I can't remember which one calls for 7lbs. and 14lbs. but I only used 5lbs on the 10mm bolts anyway because I didn't want to take any chances of stripping or snapping anything after finally getting the bolt and e.z out drilled out and retapping the hole.

 

[C-flo]

Thanks for the input guys, I wound up just going with the gasket since the surfaces were smooth after scrapping them clean.

 

[Koenigturbo]

Agreed, don't use any sealant, use the gasket only.

Sealant should be used where sealant is called for, likewise for gaskets.

Jeff

+ one here. I put silicon sealant on my water pump, a few months later discovered strands and strands of silicon sealant in my radiator,.... funny the silicon strands were the same outline as the water pump. I went dry on the gasket, it hasn't leaked since.

 

[Zumtizzle]

^I said VERY light.

Sealers are used to seal imperfections and be used in place of gaskets.

Copper Spray is idiot proof.

 

[Zumtizzle]

silicon peels off easy., and as a result the paper gasket does not get caked on and is also easy to remove.

everyone has their own preference. i prefer not to have to reseal things twice in the first place.

X2

I'd love to have to pull the motor, remove the pan, and head; to reseal the front timing cover.

 

[CyFi6]

Just use copper spray on gaskets that either have a questionable sealing surface or things you know you wont be removing anytime in the future

 

[paradox616]

+ one here. I put silicon sealant on my water pump, a few months later discovered strands and strands of silicon sealant in my radiator,.... funny the silicon strands were the same outline as the water pump. I went dry on the gasket, it hasn't leaked since.

you obviously applied it wrong, you dont need much and you spread it thin, and keep the silicon to the outter half of the ajoining surface same as the sump pan, i do the bolts up finger tight, then wait a few hours before torquing, i did it to every surface on my block and have had 0 leaks.. the problem with paper gaskets is alot of the time they are not thick enough to seal inperfections, 2 surfaces i did not seal with silicon + paper gasket which were transmission front plate and rear main plate as the gasket paper was very thick and they are under no pressure.

It's up to you if you want to just use the gasket, but this is my 2c take it or leave it

 

[IJ.]

I use Permatex #4 aviation sealer on paper gaskets, I don't build leaky engines.

 

[C-flo]

permatex huh. I wound up just going with paper, so we'll see how it holds up and if I have to, I will buy another gasket and put that permatex on there but I don't fore see any leaks from the water pump. How much pressure could it possibly be under since the torque spec for the bolts is 7 and 14 lbs? Oh by the way, Sweet build IJ on your "The Shed" Thread!

 

[mkIIIman089]

Well, you know exactly what the max pressure is... just look at your radiator cap.

 

[Koenigturbo]

you obviously applied it wrong, you dont need much and you spread it thin, and keep the silicon to the outter half of the ajoining surface same as the sump pan, i do the bolts up finger tight, then wait a few hours before torquing, i did it to every surface on my block and have had 0 leaks.. the problem with paper gaskets is alot of the time they are not thick enough to seal inperfections, 2 surfaces i did not seal with silicon + paper gasket which were transmission front plate and rear main plate as the gasket paper was very thick and they are under no pressure.

It's up to you if you want to just use the gasket, but this is my 2c take it or leave it

Are you the BOSS??!!!??[I]:3d_frown:[/I]