So I just put in a cork gasket a couple weeks ago it leaked a qt in 40 miles.... So I bought a fancy Felpro rubber one with metal in the middle for like 50$.
I am wondering if I need to Rtv it, Guy at the store said I should but the instructions say I do not need too. Anyone have some Advice?
Thanks

 

This is just my opinion so take it for what its worth. I've read alot of posts on her were people use RTV or some other sealer on gaskets. An additional sealer should not be necessary if, 1. You start with a quality gasket. 2. Both mating surfaces are clean and free of defects. 3. You follow proper torque values and sequences. If RTV is required to seal a leak it's ussually because theres a problem such as a bent pan or cover etc. in which case just adding RTV is'nt the correct way to fix the problem anyway.

 

Ya thats what I figured. I just put the cork one on a couple weeks ago when I cleaned my injectors and intake manifold and replaced the gasket and I had the mating surfaces shiny clean. Just that crappy cork gasket that I took soo much care to torque properly that sucked.

 

I've got that fancy felpro in mine too, didn't use RTV and it hasn't leaked a drop in over a year.

 

Use a little Hi-Tack gasket adhesive.. you want the red stuff in a can, not the super Hi-Tack 90 stuff which is yellow.

Your sure your quart loss was from the valve cover? I dont know if i'd lose a quart in 40 miles if i had no gasket at all. Seems awfully excessive.

 

i just replaced my valve cover gasket with a fel pro one on wednesday and did not use any other sealer. when i asked on here everyone said to make sure both surfaces were real clean which i did (took forever). i did take it upon myself to use a piece of cardboard to put the bolts n studs in so i knew the correct spot of where they came from when i put them back in. as well i cleaned the bolts and the metal washer pieces that go in before the bolts with break cleaner just to make sure. hope that helps.

 

I used the one-piece rubber one on mine with no silicone or anything. I even did a crap job cleaning the surfaces. has never leaked again.

 

Gasket adhesives dont really like fuel or oil. Just do as everyone else says. Use the good gasket, tighten the bolts in the right order and the right amount. If you still have problems then your cover is probably bent.

 

Too much RTV can harm an engine, if someone goes overboard it can break loose and collect on the screen for the oil pump pickup tube. Also, RTV and other "gaskets in a can" can kill 02 sensors if used on intake or exhaust gaskets. Only use RTV sparingly when the manual or instructions call for it. If the gasket won't seal it then the problem is most likely a bent or damaged sealing surface.

 

Or when the gasket is not available. Like in the situation with my Rx7. Plenum gasket not available at napa so I went to order from mazda. Direct from japan $85 and 2 month delivery time!