Engine Sealant

[gladis]

For the valve cover change (and I suppose sealing in things in general, plugs, etc) what should I be looking for at a hardware store?

There are so many variety of stuff out there, I dunno what to look for!
I feel bad every time I post something that's probably noob...

[bigbird]

just get some high temp gasket maker to seal it. most hardware stores and auto parts stores have it.

[Stillrunning]

I've learned not to trust just any sealant and so rely on Permatex. The Ultra Grey is an OEM grade and more than enough for the valve cover. You can email Permatex for technical assistance.

http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...ket_makers.htm

By the way you only need sealant on the few corners that the valve cover gasket makes around the cam retainers. Do not use it on the entire gasket. You also don't need it for the plugs unless I guess if you are reusing, but be careful as the sealant may make it extremely hard to remove the valve cover the next time.

[gladis]

Originally Posted by bigbird

just get some high temp gasket maker to seal it. most hardware stores and auto parts stores have it.

Is it in a caulking gun sort of tube or just a normal squeeze tube?

And I will keep an eye out for Permatex, strolling through the hardware store again next week

[Kep]

There's something about a sealer that will not introduce silicone into the exhast. Silicone evidently clogs the O2 sensors and makes them unusable.

Look for something made for what you are doing. Maybe it will say something like Sensor Safe.

Kep

[bigbird]

get a hightemp gasket maker from any auto store. dont use it instead of a valve cover gasket, but with. its in a little squeez tube. ive used it hundreds of times and it works fine and doesnt clog sensors as long as u make sure ur using high temp

[Eye8Pussies]

it's simple guys, and there's no need to debate about it...it's called rtv sealant...

there are many other types of sealants out there for different types of applications (i.e. fuel, exhaust, etc.), but in this case, RTV is all you need, and it's the best all-around type of sealant as well for general use on a car

[Mike Gerber]

I would do my shopping at an auto parts store. They usually know what is safe to use around your car's engine. A hardware store clerk may not. Be sure to use an O2 (Oxygen Sensor) safe sealant; that's why it's best to go to an auto parts store to ask questions.

In reference to your question about plugs, if you meant spark plugs, you do not use any type of sealant on them. Instead you use a little anti seize compound on the threads, available at any auto parts store. This will prevent the spark plugs from seizing in the aluminum cylinder head over time.

In reference to this remark: "There are so many variety of stuff out there, I dunno what to look for!
I feel bad every time I post something that's probably noob...". Don't worry about it. Just ask your question. If some people do not want to answer you, they won't; however there will still be enough TN'rs around who will be glad to help out. That's what this forum is for.

Mike