Grease new o-rings between cylinder head and carb boots?

[Guest]

Hello,

I am replacing the o-rings between the cylinder head and the intake boots on my 1982 GS1100GK.

Should I install the o-rings dry or with some kind of grease?

While I am at it: I am also replacing the pet cock. Should some kind of fuel-resistant grease be used for the o-ring?

Thank you!

[salty_monk]

I always use some grease on the O-rings, it helps to hold them in place in the groove whilst fitting. In the past I've used the blue hi temp stuff, the black lithium stuff, copper grease...
I think you could probably even use vaseline for this, wouldn't really matter.

[LAB3]

I put a couple of dabs of hi temp RTV on mine to hold 'em in place.

[bwringer]

I put a couple of dabs of hi temp RTV on mine to hold 'em in place.

Just to be clear, RTV dissolves with astonishing speed when confronted with gasoline vapor. (Source: penniless me in college trying to get a few more weeks out of my GS400's carb boots so I could get to work and class...)

RTV won't really hurt anything here, but it's messy. Overall, grease is the safest choice.

In general, o-rings should ALWAYS be lubricated before installing. It helps prevent installation damage, and helps ensure the o-ring can move and squish properly for a good seal. A dab of grease or engine oil are always safe choices.

[LAB3]

Just to be clear, RTV dissolves with astonishing speed when confronted with gasoline vapor. (Source: penniless me in college trying to get a few more weeks out of my GS400's carb boots so I could get to work and class...)

RTV won't really hurt anything here, but it's messy. Overall, grease is the safest choice.

In general, o-rings should ALWAYS be lubricated before installing. It helps prevent installation damage, and helps ensure the o-ring can move and squish properly for a good seal. A dab of grease or engine oil are always safe choices.

The idea is to hold them in place, not seal it up. When you pack everything you own on your bike to live on the road a good part of the year you learn to have several uses for the things you carry, not much different than back packing.

[Guest]

I use dielectric grease. It holds O-rings in place especially the one for the oil filter. It will not hurt the O-rings. I usually fill the channel squash them in and wipe the surface of excess grease. It goes away quickly with heat.

[fastbysuzuki]

Use any grease you have in the garage it's only there to hold the oring in place personally I use silicone grease. The oring is made out of Viton which is pretty impervious to most things. ( but not brake fluid)

[Agemax]

I use Dow corning high temperature vacuum grease.

[Steve]

I will use either Vaseline or wheel bearing grease, whichever I see first.

.

[ddaniels]

Grease also helps to prevent the o ring from twisting. Grease here.