Permatex 'Gasket Maker' and similar: Any experience?

[Dave_A]

I just FINALLY finished my engine rebuild. Went to put the valve-cover back on and discovered that... Ron Ayers sent me the wrong valve-cover gasket...

Nothing against RA (they've been very good with prices & cust service), but the holes didn't line up...

The thing is, after a summer of wrench turning, and it, I want to GET OUT AND RIDE (and being in Milwaukee, the swarms of Harleys buzzing around over the last few weeks (HD loves to throw itself birthday parties. As the 100th, this is supposed to be 'The Big One', and in some cases there are more bikes than cars on the freeway right now) further remind me that I have a bike I haven't ridden all summer...)!

So I'm thinking...

'Gasket Maker' costs around $5/tube, so while I'm waiting to get the 'send-me-the-right-gasket' issue taken care of, why not use some of this stuff to get my valve cover sealed up, then scrape it off when I get 'the real thing'...

Anyone have any experience with this stuff???

Any reccommendation

 

[satchmo]

Check out the gasket thread in the product reviews section.

Good luck.

Satch

 

[Dave_A]

Check out the gasket thread in the product reviews section.

Good luck.

Satch

I see that, but i'm looking for info on the gasket-in-a-tube type products... Something I can get from my local auto-parts store, an 'in-place gasket-maker' type chemical...

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I know you want to ride, but putting that much gasket maker on the cover could be a mistake. When you tighten it down, some of that might get in the engine and may clog up an oil passage or two. I would wait for a new gasket and do the job right.
Sorry, I know this is'nt what you wanted to hear.
PS: I've never worked with that stuff, maybe it's not as bad as I imagine.
But I would still wait.

 

[moto_dan]

You can use it(permatex gasket maker), but as mentioned if used too liberally it can squeeze out to the inside of your engine and could cause porblems with blocking of oil passages. As in your case I've used it before successfully then the next time I removed the cover installed the correct gasket...follow the instructions, especially the part about letting it begin to set up(skim over) before installing the cover. Good luck.

 

[Guy]

It's hard to get a good seal on the cam cover at the best of times, and it's true that gasket cement goes everywhere in the engine that you don't need it, especially when you use it heavy. The most dangerous place it can end up is in the cam journal oilways. Much safer idea: Cut the gasket from a cereal box or similar cardboard and grease it before fitting. If you manage to cut it out in one piece you may not need to replace it at all. Takes a bit of time to do, but it's got me out of a few situations in the past.

 

[Anonymous]

I know you want to ride, but putting that much gasket maker on the cover could be a mistake. When you tighten it down, some of that might get in the engine and may clog up an oil passage or two. I would wait for a new gasket and do the job right.
Sorry, I know this is'nt what you wanted to hear.
PS: I've never worked with that stuff, maybe it's not as bad as I imagine.
But I would still wait.

I've used Silastic (Dow Corning) gasket in a tube stuff with no problems. You have to use these products sparingly as per instructions. Your instinct will scream at you to put a bit extra on which is bad news. As long as the surfaces are OK it will work just fine.

The hardest part is spending time to prepare surfaces and remove old gasket.

 

[Anonymous]

I say use it, but yes as everyone else has mentioned sparingly. I had a gasket blow on me when I was in the middle of nowhere Alaska and luckily I carried some permatex with me at al times there. It worked well, but i caution it is only a temporary fix. But if done well it will not damage the engine. Keep the goop on the outside portion of the motor to be cautious. And if you don't get a perfect seal well just carry oil.

Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.
Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) :twisted: :idea:

 

[satchmo]

I see that, but i'm looking for info on the gasket-in-a-tube type products... Something I can get from my local auto-parts store, an 'in-place gasket-maker' type chemical..

You're right.....sorry....missread the original post.

Satch

 

[Mr. Jiggles]

Is it out of the question to cut your own gasket from gasket material?? I did just that when replacing my stator and it sealed beautifully. I'm always afraid that the permatex stuff will clog the oil passages and ruin the motor.

Jeff

 

[wrench]

It's hard to get a good seal on the cam cover at the best of times, and it's true that gasket cement goes everywhere in the engine that you don't need it, especially when you use it heavy. The most dangerous place it can end up is in the cam journal oilways. Much safer idea: Cut the gasket from a cereal box or similar cardboard and grease it before fitting. If you manage to cut it out in one piece you may not need to replace it at all. Takes a bit of time to do, but it's got me out of a few situations in the past.

Man thats a really old tip my Dad taught me .. never had a leak once doing the above, i used a small rubber mallet on one of the mating surfaces, ie lightly oil or grease the cardboard place it to one of the mating surfaces and gently tap around the edges, in minutes you have a really good gasket no cutting required except for screw or bolt holes,
John.

 

[saaz]

I have only ever used gasket cement etc on old gaskets, not by themselves. No reason it would not work with care as long as the surfaces mated properly.

 

[AOD]

i've had good luck with using orange and black RTV with gaskets in the past. i think you could try a light bead of RTV around the part, and MAKE SURE you let it cure the 24 hours like it says. be sure to run your finger around the inside of the engine and get all the excess RTV off the inner part of it, before tightening down the top.

g'luck.

~Adam

 

[Clone]

Buy some gasket material at an agriculture parts place, comes in a piece about a meter square and for about $10 you can cut a lot of gaskets. I put a thin layer of grease on the part I want a gasket for, then place the edge on the material (get the grey fibre material, works better and lasts longer than cork) and I have the perfect outline to cut. Then you can use a thin (very thin) coat of RTV when you put it on.

 

[Dave_A]

Did the RTV thing yesterday, the instructions said put the parts together immediately, THEN let cure for 24hrs.

So I did.

Firing up the motor tonight (quick run up, set idle, and check for leaks. Some drips from the oilpan, but that's all), no oil was oozing from the valve cover, so I think I'm good there...

- Dave

 

[Planecrazy]

Form-A-Gasket never let me down

Form-A-Gasket never let me down

Hi,

I've used Form-A-Gasket many times in the past on auto valve covers without any problems. Used it on my '80 GS550L two years ago and not a drop of oil has leaked ... of course I haven't had a chance to test that repair because the ignition system bit the big one and the bike hasn't run since! :lol:

Anyway, I'm about to install a Dyna S ignition to replace a bad igniter (as well as the stock signal generator). Hopefully the result will be a Labor Day ride -- I'll let you know if the gasket holds but I am 100% confident that it will be fine.

Good luck with yours!

Sept. 3 Update -- Well, I managed to get my GS550L started on Labor Day but due to a bad battery or charging system problem it doesn't want to keep running. I was able to run it long enough to determine that the Form-A-Gasket repair worked just fine though. Now I'll charge up the battery and then do a proper test of the entire charging system. I'm gonna ride this puppy before the season ends!! 8)

 

[Anonymous]

RTV

RTV

Sounds like you have it whipped already, but for others who may follow...

The trick to sucess with RTV is surface prep. You MUST completely clean all traces of old gasket, gasket adhesive (gorilla snot), corrosion, dirt, oil, etc... off the mating surfaces. The best tool for the job is a 90 degree die grinder with a scotchbrite pad on it. BE CAREFUL on aluminum, though...it'll eat a lot faster than you think and you'll gouge the mating surface if you aren't careful. Just barely brush it once the old gasket is off. If you have a nice surface plate or another very flat surface, true up the cam cover while you are there (true up the head side if you have it off and it is disassembled).

Don't use too much RTV as it will come off inside the engine, as others have cautioned. Don't put a wrench on the bolts for 24hrs, either. THAT'S what the cure time means. You run the bolts down evenly, in a criss-cross pattern like a head gasket, but only finger tight. You let everything set up 24hrs and THEN torque the bolts to specs, otherwise you squeeze out all the RTV and it leaks.

 

[AOD]

good news Dave, glad it worked out for you. enjoy the road! and ride safe!

~Adam