Gasket sealer for intake manifold gasket...bad idea?

[Konish]

I searched...

 

I'm finally biting the bullet and pulling my Webers to investigate a suspected intake mainfold leak. Truth be told, I'm not sure it is leaking but I have *every* symptom of a manifold leak and tried to solve the symptoms by other means hoping I wouldn't have to pull the mainfold.

 

So, since it's a relatively simple and straight-forward job a new gasket is going in. However, I don't want to do this again, so I was going to use copper-based gasket sealer to make double sure with the new gasket that it'll all seal up nice (after making sure the manifold is square). Good idea...bad idea? If it is a bad idea, why exactly is that so? If not sealant then what would be the recommendation?

 

I live in Japan so I don't have the availability of a wide variety of commonly used sealants, so I bought the permatex ultra copper high heat stuff on base....good to 700*F intermittent.

 

R/

Dustin

Edited April 20, 2010 by Konish

[S30TRBO]

Not recommended IMHO, did you notch the washers and put a straight edge on the intake manifold on both ends?

[2eighTZ4me]

Are you going back with a Nissan gasket, or an aftermarket? I use two gaskets if they're aftermarket, and I coat them with anti-seize to keep them stuck together and sealed well. Haven't had one leak yet on about 5 installs.

[johnc]

I've always put a very thin layer of Permatex Copper on both sides of the intake/exhaust gasket on every L6 engine I've assembled.

[Drax240z]

Skimming the gasket with copper RTV (very thin) doesn't hurt anything. You don't need much.

[Incubusjunkie614]

adding some gasket sealer would be a fine idea. dont pour it on like its going out of style, but a coating on

both sides will make sure everything is sealed. you will be fine. just make sure you clean the manifold and engine mating surfaces (if there's any burnt on/ stuck/ broken gasket pieces) very well otherwise a leak may occur anyway.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Incubusjunkie614

[ModernS30]

No problem with it. Pretty sure my dad's sprint car doesn't have intake gaskets just copper rtv and I am 100% sure the headers don't since I put them on. No issues.

[Konish]

Gasket and manifold went on with copper RTV and everything sealed up wonderfully. It *probably* would have worked without the goop (as my last one did until I R&R the manifold 2X) but the little bit of insurance makes me feel better about it. Thanks everyone!

[hoov100]

If you can find them, those multi-layered aluminum re-usable crush gaskets work EXTREMELY good at sealing, even if the surface isn't flat.

[Konish]

If you can find them, those multi-layered aluminum re-usable crush gaskets work EXTREMELY good at sealing, even if the surface isn't flat.

I tried looking for one...thought Fel-Pro made one but nothing on their site. I'd really like to get a few of these to add to my spare parts stockpile.