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Valve Cover Gasket RTV or No RTV?

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Old 07-16-2013, 01:23 PM
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mcarther101
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Default Valve Cover Gasket RTV or No RTV?

Haynes manual says
"12 The valve cover gaskets should be mated to the covers before the covers are installed. Apply a thin coat of RTV sealant to the cover groove and to the corners on the front camshaft journal cap, then position the gasket inside the coer and allow the sealant to set up so the gasket adheres to the cover. If the sealant isn't allowed to set, the gasket may fall out of the cover as it's installed on the engine."

My original valve cover and gasket only had grey RTV at the VERY corners of the front camshaft journal cap though... so do I need to do it as in the DIY, or as in the Haynes manual with some sealant between the gasket & cover? I don't want leaks - measure twice, cut once... so I'll wait for a response on here.

From the DIY on my350z:

Originally Posted by mf01
Sorry to open up an old thread, but I'm getting ready to replace my valve covers tomorrow. The service manual mentions putting RTV on the edges of the camshaft bracket. Anyone have any insight into this? The picture isn't clear in the service manual. Thanks.
Originally Posted by Itzcashew





For future references.
Edit:
Take a look at this pic BTW, what's with the jagged metal hole there? Is that going to be problems?

Last edited by mcarther101; 07-16-2013 at 01:31 PM.
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Old 07-16-2013, 02:52 PM
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mcarther101
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Meh, no replies... just used RTV as service manual said - as if it helped any, fking gasket came out on passenger side from all the BS in the way.

Trying to figure out how to get the corner bolt back in on the passenger side valve cover now without undoing the coolant hose from the heater...

Edit: I had to do the asian squat, balancing ninja style between the engine bay and my hood (I'm small) to get at the 7th bolt in the torque sequence on the passenger side; had to use a universal joint too...

Last edited by mcarther101; 07-16-2013 at 09:45 PM.
Old 07-16-2013, 04:35 PM
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Cux350z
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That jagged metal hole is interesting

I put a few dabs of RTV between the gasket and valve cover. Let it sit and then install.
Also use RTV in 4 locations on the metal.Basically like the pic you show but not a continuous line. Only in the corners.
Old 07-16-2013, 05:26 PM
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2004Black350z
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Jagged hole is interesting. ...
Old 07-16-2013, 05:55 PM
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mcarther101
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Originally Posted by Cux350z
That jagged metal hole is interesting

I put a few dabs of RTV between the gasket and valve cover. Let it sit and then install.
Also use RTV in 4 locations on the metal.Basically like the pic you show but not a continuous line. Only in the corners.
Thanks, yeah it made sense after I thought about the Haynes manual... considering there's almost a 90 degree change in direction, the RTV helps to seal those corners. I wasn't very liberal with the RTV though, hope I don't get any leaks.

Also, after I had my car disassembled, I realized my torque wrench only measured 120 inch lbs and up. So I \guestimated 74 inch pounds with my 1/4 ratchet holding it at the head of the ratchet to minimize leverage lol. I have sort of a sketchy feeling about the install, but I tightened each side in the correct sequence like 3-4x until none of the bolts were loose.

Originally Posted by 2004Black350z
Jagged hole is interesting. ...

Yes, interesting...but I'll just pretend I never saw it I guess.
Old 07-16-2013, 10:04 PM
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Touge Z
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how's the car running now?
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