Sealing new Gaskets

[GeorgeP1111]

I have been reading enough here to know that the word is not to use any gasket sealant other than on the case halves but.... Why Not?

I have spent a fair amount of time scraping and cleaning the gaskets off the top end and the left case. I'm assuming that I'm going to have to go back in sometime in the future so I would think using a small amount of a non hardening product like Permatex Hylomar HPF (which I have used on other projects in the past) or the Hondabond-4 I hear you all speak of would make the next dis-assembly a lot less work. Obviously one would not want to use so much sealant as to plug oil passages or get into the inner workings of the motor.

So is it simply that with new gaskets and good clean true surfaces "no sealant is needed", or is there a reason that "none should be used"?

Tnx

George

[Dgormley]

George, I believe the "judicious" use of a good quality sealant is fine. I have torn into a lot of engines that other "mekanix" have repaired only to find gobs of silicone sealer(usually orange, black, or blue) distributed throughout the engine. One XR 80 engine had the complete oiling system so full of orange bits the cam was just about melted to the head.On my CL clutch side I lightly cemented the gasket to the side case with honda-bond and I usually get 2 to 3 uses out of the gasket. JMHO................................D

[LOUD MOUSE]

Without reading the entire statement but seeing the Why Not.
HONDA parts fit in such a way that unless ya have a damaged part the others will fit any other parts and the gasket is sufficient. .........lm

I have been reading enough here to know that the word is not to use any gasket sealant other than on the case halves but.... Why Not?

I have spent a fair amount of time scraping and cleaning the gaskets off the top end and the left case. I'm assuming that I'm going to have to go back in sometime in the future so I would think using a small amount of a non hardening product like Permatex Hylomar HPF (which I have used on other projects in the past) or the Hondabond-4 I hear you all speak of would make the next dis-assembly a lot less work. Obviously one would not want to use so much sealant as to plug oil passages or get into the inner workings of the motor.

So is it simply that with new gaskets and good clean true surfaces "no sealant is needed", or is there a reason that "none should be used"?

Tnx

George

[brewsky]

I've always coated mine (except head gaskets) with oil.

Don't really remember why, but has worked for me, and a lot easier to remove later.

Keeps me from worrying about touching the gaskets with oily hands.

[GeorgeP1111]

I've always coated mine (except head gaskets) with oil.
Don't really remember why, but has worked for me, and a lot easier to remove later.
Keeps me from worrying about touching the gaskets with oily hands.

That's a good point also. :-)

I also read here that someone suggested using white lithium grease on the seals.

So it looks like there is no reason a "judicious" use of grease, oil, or a non hardening gasket sealer can't be used on the seals to aid in future removal, it's just that it's not needed to prevent leaks.

tnx
George

[teazer]

I have been known to use grease on one side, but the reason to NOT use any sort of oil, grease ogarket goop is that the parts are supposed to "stick" to the gaskets. The real reason is that if they are wet, then gaskets tend to move out of place and they are more likely to leak over time.

So for a race motor where the thing almost can take itself apart, non-sticky gaskets work, but for a street motor, DRY is the right way to do it. (just as LM said)

[LOUD MOUSE]

On the Seal Area only.
Not on the outside edge. ............lm

I've always coated mine (except head gaskets) with oil.
Don't really remember why, but has worked for me, and a lot easier to remove later.
Keeps me from worrying about touching the gaskets with oily hands.

That's a good point also. :-)

I also read here that someone suggested using white lithium grease on the seals.

So it looks like there is no reason a "judicious" use of grease, oil, or a non hardening gasket sealer can't be used on the seals to aid in future removal, it's just that it's not needed to prevent leaks.

tnx
George