Sealant on valve cover required or not ?

[JohnW63]

Once again, I'm replacing the valve cover gaskets and I really don't want a "do over". I have the advantage of not needing to drive the car immediately, so I'm trying to take my time and get it RIGHT, for once. I have read that some posters suggest a bit of sealant at the 90 degree points on the passenger side. Is this a nessisary thing or just a cover your @ss thing ? If is IS needed, what do you use ? RTV ? Silicone ? Does it go on the head, and then the cover is placed on top, or in the groove that the gasket fits in the cover ?

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

From personal experience ive replace the valve cover gaskets both ways(adding a little rtv,and just installing them dry) and it didnt make that big of a difference. But, if it's just to save the headache of pulling everything back apart to fix the small leak, I would dab a little black RTV on the 90 bends on the head side. that's my opinion

 

[firstgen89sho]

Yamaha did it from the factory, so obviously it was there to prevent leaks later on once the gasket shrinks up a little

 

[Eric VerValin]

My gasket is already shrunk. I just torqued mine down dry, nothings leakin yet.. Let me hit the bypass, and I'll tell ya if they're really leakin or not.

 

[DigDeez]

What's the big deal? Just buy some black RTV and put some on. Less than $10 for some RTV-high temp! And, if your plug well seals are hardened, rtv won't help a bit. They have to be in very good shape to reuse, or, you'll be on your 3rd go around. I'm speaking from experience.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

It isnt required but helps. I use it to keep the rear valve cover gasket in place while I place it back there as it tends to fall out and you can squish it.

 

[firstgen89sho]

I use it around the corners where the cam bearing/seal covers meet the head, and where the gasket fills in the half moon in the front head

 

[JohnW63]

I found replacing the gaskets much easier this time that the first. Taking the hood off and parking under a nice flourecent light, and really wiring all the hoses and wire harnesses and crap well out of the way made dropping it back on MUCH simpler !

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

where ever there is a surface protruding up from the surface of the head. That would be the half moons of the cams. A dab l' do ya...about as big as a beer nut.

 

[haydenm315]

the instructions that come with the felpro set specifically say not to use any kind of rtv and to ensure the mating surfaces are clean. I do believe the helms says to use rtv. I used rtv the first time and it leaked. This second time it's not leaking and no rtv.

 

[RAYJAY]

It isnt required but helps. I use it to keep the rear valve cover gasket in place while I place it back there as it tends to fall out and you can squish it.

same here, if you have the time very very little RVT and let gasket dry in valve cover overnight

Jeff