Sealer on metal gasket?

[rickpthomas]

Received the OEM gasket for the water manifold for the 3SFE motor. It is just a thin piece of punched metal to fit the gasket shape. Do I use any gasket seal with install? Seems like it would need something to seal the surfaces...
Thx,
Rick

[71Corolla]

Do you mean the water pump? If so, the FSM says nothing about using sealant on the metal gasket.

[rickpthomas]

Thx for the reply...no, actually it's the water manifold (or that's what I thought it was called at least). See following pics...







Thoughts?
Thx!
Rick

[Ted Striker]

I've literally done hundreds of these. No you don't need it. Do make sure you replace both o rings.

[rickpthomas]

Originally Posted by Ted Striker

I've literally done hundreds of these. No you don't need it. Do make sure you replace both o rings.

Thx...just to clarify though, which o-rings were you referring to? The o-rings on the water pump or the inlet pipe that goes between the water pump and the inlet manifold in my pictures?

[Sturdavj]

Inlet pipe ()-rings

[Vlad1024]

It's kind of like the crush washer on an oil pan. As you tighten the gasket deforms filling and imperfections on the surface making a seal.

[Doctor J]

My car has a paper gasket in there; if your replacement gasket has no plastic coating and your sealing surfaces are having scratches/pits apply 1/8 inch (3 mm) wide bead of ultra-blue Permatex gasket sealant to the both sides of this gasket.
Plain piece of metal is only good on the new parts!