Hi all. resealing an EA82 this weekend. For the valve covers and/or the oil pan, should I use RTV silicone or something that actually says the word GASKET on it? thanks..

Way don't you just get new gaskets?

Get new gaskets... EA82 valve covers leak enough as it is... better do it right. Ditto with oil pans

i have used blue rtv in place of intake gaskets before, ran without a problem. couldnt tell you how long it would last, because i took it apart for something else.

i did find, however, if you put a light coat of blue silicone on new intake gaskets, it will keep them from sticking to the intake or the head, thus making them reuseable

I am more of a fan of the black RTV (used sparingly) The orange though... worthless! Never used blue before <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">

the orange is high temp, has copper. it is more apprpriate for mating surfaces rather than anything that would hold back fluids.

 

the orange is best for exhaust gaskets or manifolds, and turbo flanges and such

Gasket goo works ok, but it's a pain to have to re-do it every time you take the valve covers off. If you can afford it, go for a new set of gaskets, including the bolt grommets.

 

It just goes together easier, and keeps the frustration levels down. Now that I'm finally done with school, I can sell my shares in Permatex. My old soob is practically coated in it.:rollin:

nnngh. sorry, i guess i should have mentioned that I *did* get new gaskets; I was asking about what to use WITH them

The upshot is you don't _have_ to use either if you have gaskets. If and when you pull the cam cases, you _will_ need some, but that's a problem for another day.

That said, to make assembly (and subsequent disassembly/inspection) easier on your patience, you should feel free to use a good, high temp RTV on the outside part in both cases. By this, I mean in the groove inside the valve covers (you'll see what I mean) will hold the gasket in place while you mount the cover to the cam case. Likewise, when you are rotating the oil pan to fit back under the block, it will be helpful to have a bead between the pan and the new gasket. If, at some later date, you decide to remove any of these pieces, you'll find the gasket and outside part come off and reinstall as a single, discrete part.

Try the Permatex "Ultra-Black". No complaints here.

 

HTH

Kalo:D

Properly installed, OEM valve cover gaskets should not leak. They are not intended for use with any type of sealant, it is a floating design. They don't come from the factory with sealant, and it does not recommend any in the FSM.

 

I have never used any sealant here. The only oil leaks that I have had come from between the cam case and the head.

 

I also install the cork oil pan gasket dry. Some people suggest soaking it in water first.