Sealant for Valve Cover Gasket

[WOLFN8TR]

The product descriptions for Permatex Ultra Rubber Gasket Sealant (#85409) is nearly identical to Hylomar Universal Blue.

In my opinion, using the Permatex 85409 is the best solution here to ensure long seal life and lowest chance of leaks.

That's the stuff I used when I did my VANOS & VCG. In my opinion the way the valve cover is bolted down doesn't appy adequate pressure in those areas.


Bayerische-Motoren-Werke

[slowboat]

My good friend who is a tech at a BMW dealership said that he and all the other techs install them DRY and have never had an issue.

[WOLFN8TR]

My good friend who is a tech at a BMW dealership said that he and all the other techs install them DRY and have never had an issue.

Even if they did would he really tell you?

Issue=Customer Return=$$$

Just Saying


Bayerische-Motoren-Werke

[BimmerWill]

Even if they did would he really tell you?

Issue=Customer Return=$$$

Just Saying


Bayerische-Motoren-Werke

Very good point...personally rather play it safe then sorry Imo...

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[rkneeshaw]

Seems to me the rubber gasket is a failure prone part of the equation, being that everyone recommends it be replaced every 60-80k miles or it will leak on its own. I'm curious for those using things like the Red RTV silicone sealant if that is lasting as long as the original gasket seal, or those who install the rubber gasket without any sealant at all if their repair is lasting 50k miles, 70k miles, etc. This sounds like a job I'd like to do once, and do it a better way than OEM, and try to get it to last longer than the original factory seal.

To me it seems that the sealant designed for rubber gaskets that remains pliable over time and keeps the rubber conditioned would be the optimal choice here, and thats what the Permatex Ultra Rubber Sealant dressing does.

Maybe using something like the red RTV sealant/gasket maker would work fine too because it is designed to act as a gasket itself.... so if enough of it is applied theoretically it would be sealing the valve cover moreso than the rubber gasket... Anyone hear of any issue using a silicone gasket maker against a rubber gasket?

[Oli77]

Thread revival!

About to do vcg. News on the sealant to use? Bentley manual does call for it at the half moons.

I have Grey Permatex, will do?

[John in VA]

Beisan shows use of red RTV - http://www.beisansystems.com/procedu..._procedure.htm

[BMWM3186]

I just put a little dab where it said to on mine with black rtv, I don't think the color matters much, the vcg I pulled off did not have any rtv and was not leaking.

[Oli77]

Thanks brothers.

[04yfz]

I use permatex grey or black with good results. Don't like Red as it doesn't look original but I'm sure it works just as well.