Valve Cover Gasket RTV or No RTV?
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 4
From: Pensacola, FL
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:
Edit:
Take a look at this pic BTW, what's with the jagged metal hole there? Is that going to be problems?
"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:
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; Jul 16, 2013 at 01:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 4
From: Pensacola, FL
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...
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; Jul 16, 2013 at 09:45 PM.
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 4
From: Pensacola, FL
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.
Yes, interesting...but I'll just pretend I never saw it I guess.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
