Using Gasket-Maker: Haynes vs Factory Manual

[REAPER STRAIN]

I'm going to redo my rear main oil seal again this weekend. I was reading the Camry service manual and I came across conflicting information and wanted to get some advice. The Haynes manual states that it is best to take off the rear main seal retainer when changing the rear oil seal. Since this is where I am leaking from that goes without saying. The Haynes manual says we should apply gasket maker to the retainer when replacing it. It even shows a nice little diagram for the 5S-FE engine. The Factory service manual says you should simply put the gasket on and go:

INSTALL REAR OIL SEAL RETAINER
Install a new gasket and the retainer with the 6 bolts.
Torque: 9.3 N–m (95 kgf–cm, 82 in.–lbf)

I thought this odd so I check the Factory Manual at how to replace the V6 engine's rear oil seal retainer and it actually says put gasket maker on it.

9. INSTALL REAR OIL SEAL RETAINER
(a) Remove any old packing (FIPG) material and be care–
ful not to drop any oil on the contact surfaces of the
oil seal retainer and cylinder block.
• Using a razor blade and gasket scraper, remove
all the oil packing (FIPG) material from the gasket
surfaces and sealing grooves.
• Thoroughly clean all components to remove all
the loose material.
• Using a non–residue solvent, clean both sealing
surfaces.
(b) Apply seal packing to the oil seal retainer as shown in
the illustration.
Seal packing:
Part No. 08826–00080 or equivalent
• Install a nozzle that has been cut to a 2 – 3 mm
(0.08 – 0.12) opening.
• Parts must be assembled within 3 minutes of
application. Otherwise the material must be re–
moved and reapplied.
• Immediately remove nozzle from the tube and
reinstall cap.
(c) Install the oil seal retainer with the 6 bolts.
Torque: 8 N–m (80 kgf–cm, 69 in.–lbf)


So the question is do I do what the service manual instructs and use only the paper gasket or what Haynes says and use the paper gasket with gasket maker? I have had no success with the gasket maker in the past and am thinking that the gasket maker is the root of my car's oil leak. In fact, when speaking with master mechanics they tell me NOT to use gasket maker when replacing the rear oil seal.

Any suggestions

[REAPER STRAIN]

I just figured out the answer to my question and I feel like an total idiot.

The Haynes Manual goes something like this:
To install:

Clean the retainer contact surfaces thoroughly and lubricate the new oil seal with multi-purpose grease.

Using a block of wood, drive the oil seal into the retainer until its surface is flush with the edge of the retainer. Make sure that the seal is installed evenly in the retainer to ensure proper sealing.

On diesel engines and V6 gasoline engines, apply a 1/8 inch bead of sealant to the oil seal retainer. Bolt the retainer with the five bolts (V6) and install the dust seal. Tighten the bolts on the V6 to 69 inch lbs. (8 Nm).

On 2S-ELC, 3S-FE and 5S-FE engines, install the oil seal retainer with the new gasket and attach with the six bolts. Tighten the bolts to 7 ft. lbs. (9 Nm) in a crisscross pattern.


Install the rear end plate.

The manual never said add gasket maker to the 5S-FE seal retainer!

WOW... I've done this 3 times and never noticed.

Beware everyone!