sotal Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I've got a few gaskets to replace at the moment, the cost of them isn't alot but I've been told not to bother and use RTV sealant instead. What would you recommend? Is there any bits where one has the advantage over the other? Pros/cons? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Depends where the gaskets are for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotal Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 go on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintman Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Generally if it shows a gasket you would be advised to use one. The various RTV or specified sealants are very good in those applications where used as oe. As an example, my RRC is an 86 3.5. The manuals show a cork/rubber gasket for the sump to block joint. The later RRC V8 covered by the Rave disc shows just sealant. Having tried it with just sealant - for about 4 days! - it now has the correct gasket. Some areas require the gasket as a spacer. The V8 oil pump has a thin paper gasket. If you leave the gasket out the pump gears will be nipped up by the cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 You'll tend to find that any but the tiniest amount of sealant is squeezed out either side of the joint. You can trim off the outer bit but the internal bead floats around inside. In an axle, unlikely to be a problem but I've seen engines seize because the oil pickup pipe is blocked by strings of RTV after a sump has been replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 One of the main places a 300 leaks is usually from the sump - mine needs doing at 10500 miles from new. I hate RTV - its not all that reliable and its usually a PITA to deal with - how long does it take to remove and refit a diff fitted with a gasket compared to one of the new ones stuck in with RTV for example, and which is more likely to leak.... The manufacturers love it because it's easier to build vehicles with, you need one gloop gun instead of hundreds of gaskets, which is different from it being the best thing to seal joints with IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRecklessEngineer Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Gasket over sealant hands down. The only time I use sealant is when there is pitting/corrosion on the surface of the gasket sealing face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintman Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 ^^^^^Ditto^^^^^. Usually with blue hylomar on the face before fitting the gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat_pending Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 It's not really a question of which is best, there are too many variables. As said, using the wrong thing can upset clearances etc. There are exceptions when one may be substituted for the other, but you asked a general question. So without being specific the advice is. If a manufacturer specifies a gasket...use a gasket. If they specify a sealant... use a sealant. If they specify a sealant... use the right one, and use it sparingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 RTV has worked well for me on 300TDI Sump/Diffs I use gaskets where they were specified plus Hylomar gold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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