Gasket sealant?

[sleemanj]

Replacing a gasket on an alternator cover on my VTZ (similar to most other VT* 250s), paper type gasket.

The old one was well hard to get off in places, in fact separating the cover required considerable application of a mallet.

Surfaces are now nicely cleaned up and I'm just about to put it togethor. But the thought struck me the old one was so well attached, should I use some sort of gasket sealant on the gasket, a light wipe of the surfaces with some oil, or just the plain dry gasket on it's own?

Any advice?

[sleemanj]

Meh. I put it in dry. See how it goes.

[tri boy]

It should be fine, so long as the new gasket paper was pliable, (not dry/hard).
Sometimes I will smear grease on certain gaskets if they are to be removed often.

[7mmWSM]

You shouldn't contaminate the new gasket with grease or oil. If anything I've used a product called VHM copper gasket cement which works well if you have no choice but to reuse old gaskets

[Wheeliemonsta]

Replacing a gasket on an alternator cover on my VTZ (similar to most other VT* 250s), paper type gasket.

The old one was well hard to get off in places, in fact separating the cover required considerable application of a mallet.

Surfaces are now nicely cleaned up and I'm just about to put it togethor. But the thought struck me the old one was so well attached, should I use some sort of gasket sealant on the gasket, a light wipe of the surfaces with some oil, or just the plain dry gasket on it's own?

Any advice?

Clean the old gasket up with CRC Brake Clean prior to reinstalling - if the gasket is in anything other than pristine condition it will need to be replaced... If the gasket sits over any seams in other components, i.e crankcases etc etc it is perfectly acceptable to use a smear of sealent to ensure this joint is oil tight...

Hylomar is a good quality inexspensive sealent readily available at most Repco Stores - there are specific types for specific applications, so have a wee read & educate yourself at the same time

Cheers

[Taz]

No need to use the sealant with a new gasket.

[Owl]

"Loctite Master Gasket" is awesome stuff, but not cheap at about $35.

On the up side, you use bugger all, it's liquid in form and never dries. Great if you may have to remove the same part again in the future and stops gaskets sticking to metal parts. I once lost a tube and found it 12 years later in a box. Still mint, so it lasts a loooong time.

It is not however, a gasket replacement!

[Wannabiker]

Be careful applying silicone type gasket eliminator goop....when the gasket / cover assembly is tightened, most, if not all of it is expelled....the stuff that is expelled inside the case can break free and accumulate in fine oil galleries....with usually expensive results.

A thin film of grease if anything ...any grease that is expelled will dissolve with the oil...no harm done.