TheSamba.com :: View topic - Best sealant to glue valve cover gaskets on?

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:18 pm

My first attempt rewarded me with both leaking; I bead blasted, both surfaces flat and clean, vw upside down, siliconed a new cork gasket on the cover side, greased the head, wa la, both leak and I haven't even run it yet. What is the best sealant to glue the cork on the valve cover? I there a chant, a lit candle, aroma therapy additive?

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:29 pm

Most on here don't recommend sealant, I think. Personally I use the red RTV stuff, then grease on the engine facing side. I stand my rocker covers in a tray of solvent when I do my next valve adjustment and it then takes seconds of work with a knife blade to get a nice clean face for the next pair.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:29 pm

gaskacinch to hold the gasket to the cover.
a light coating of wheel bearing grease on the gasket-to-head surface.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:29 pm

I use Hylomar on the cover side and a very thin swipe of grease on the head side. Seems to work pretty well.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:30 pm

Haven't run it yet but they leak? How did you accomplish that without running it?

Were you able to remove and put on the bales easily by hand?

Are the valve covers true flat? Remove the gasket and lay it on the head...does it rock t any coroner?

As for sealant...I use Hylomar

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:30 pm

Maybe restore the "spring" on the bails?

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:43 pm

I usually just oil both sides of the gasket and that does the trick. Am running solid lifters and makes it easy to replace when I inspect lash.

Last time Colon was here he suggested we grease the gasket which we did, both sides. Results were when I went to pull valve cover it was extremely hard to remove. I used a synthetic grease recommended by Colin. Almost bent the covers getting them off.

I went back to just oil.

If you have hydraulic lifters using hylomar on the cover side and grease or oil on engine side to be the norm.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:50 pm

from the "stupid question thread":

borninabus wrote: i hate anyone who uses sealant on valve cover gaskets.
i spend WAY too much time cleaning it off.

my trick for T4s is the brake spoon (or brake adjustment tool):

get the cover nice & centered then use the short end of the tool to get the bail started.
then use the long end to fully seat the bail.
i use Elring gaskets ONLY.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:29 pm

OK, different sealant, bent the bales a bit, painted the second set of covers a different color, 2 hail mary's, kissed a picture of Nancy Pelosi, cleaned up the vomit, lets see.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:32 pm

Dry if the cover is in good shape :roll:
Yamabond if they leak: 1 F@#$%^& in drop :lol:

Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:34 pm

don't know how we ever got by for years with just oil or grease. I use gasgacinch on one side and oil on the other. Biggest issues are

old hard gaskets

bent rocker covers. Lay them on the head with no gasket and if they rock they won't seal.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:06 pm

Are these OG VW covers with OG bales? If not, they should be.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:49 pm

What's OG?

Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:50 pm

mojogoat wrote: What's OG?

Original

Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:15 pm

I use lithium grease on both sides. Never a leak and easy clean up.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:26 pm

weather seal glue ,like contact cement on covers only head side dry .

Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:30 pm

Permatex Aviation on the VC side only.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:07 pm

Always used Permatex 3H (Aviation) to the cover and a smear of grease on the head side of the gasket. But just recently switched from the 3h to Gaskacinch and like it better. Instant grip. Permatex needs to dry. Permatex also dissolves if in contact with gas.

Isn't there a difference between T-1 and T-4 covers as far as bumps to hold the gasket from slipping?

Thu Sep 05, 2013 9:14 pm

If you aren't using gasgacinch you are just making more work for yourself.

Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:12 pm

ned wrote: If you aren't using gasgacinch you are just making more work for yourself.
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DBM wrote: I believed you the first time Ned

I use gasgacinch too but own a nice glass bead machine and a spare set of covers. At my leisure I bead the old ones and repaint them, then seal a gasket on and set them aside for the next adjustment. Works like a charm and glass beading is therapeutic better than a glass of wine. :)

Since I don't own a smart phone to repeat myself can I just post twice?

I use gasgacinch too but own a nice glass bead machine and a spare set of covers. At my leisure I bead the old ones and repaint them, then seal a gasket on and set them aside for the next adjustment. Works like a charm and glass beading is therapeutic better than a glass of wine. :)

or like Ray, sneak 3 posts in :) :

I use gasgacinch too but own a nice glass bead machine and a spare set of covers. At my leisure I bead the old ones and repaint them, then seal a gasket on and set them aside for the next adjustment. Works like a charm and glass beading is therapeutic better than a glass of wine. :)