Rocker Cover Gasket Sealant

**SilverGhost** · 19-03-2006, 11:42 AM

Hi Guys,

Just a really quick question, does anyone add a sealing agent to a rocker cover gasket when replacing it with a new one? if so which one?

Or do you clean the head surface and put it in dry? Or a thin film of oil like an oil filter gasket?

**slide86** · 19-03-2006, 11:55 AM

i dont usually add any type of sealant. clean the flat surface and clean where the gasket sits in the rocker cover then fit it all.

its pretty important to tighten all the bolts evenly and in a good tightening order so that the gasket has even pressure applied and it doesnt distort.

other than that you should be pretty right. if you have any dramas with it leaking then you may want to put a light coat of sealant, but you shouldnt have too....

**SilverGhost** · 19-03-2006, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the reply. I didnt think one was necessary either, but im working on my grandmas excel and for some reason although i torque it up in several stages like you would a head gasket it leaks from just one corner....

**JetspeedCamry** · 19-03-2006, 01:22 PM

I know on my engine (2VZ), Toyota recommends using RTV Sealant in certain sports (like corners and ridges).

**Aust162** · 19-03-2006, 03:00 PM

On the 3sgte valve cover i used rtv sealant aswell --->same as jetspeedcamry.

You put little blobs of it on each side of the cam ridges as per the bgb.

**JetspeedCamry** · 19-03-2006, 03:37 PM

For reference sake:

Thats where Toyota specifies to put RTV on mine. Theres little notches in the head to show you where do put it. Apparently, you don't need much, just a dab.

**o_man_ra23** · 19-03-2006, 04:26 PM

Anywhere there is any sort of join you will need it. Other than that, dry mount is always good, maybe a VERY light coat of oil to lubricate (for a rubber gasket, dry for cork), but not where the sealant will be.

Cheers, Owen

**roadsailing** · 19-03-2006, 05:03 PM

i know of a certain engine that had sealant applied to the whole cam cover gaslet from factory.

do it if you like, not really a downside that i can think of

**oldcorollas** · 19-03-2006, 05:05 PM

if it is still being a bitch, you can put a light smear of oil resistant RTV in the groove of the rubber seal, and tighten only to contact.. then wait a couple of days (to be sure) and tighten fully. in fact, this is a good method for any seal using sealeant (like sump also...)

if you tighten fully you can split the seal as the silicone lubricates it a bit much and allows it to distort more than usual...

**poorolla** · 19-03-2006, 08:26 PM

One of the best inventions ever was gasket goo..It has saved me in all sorts of situations!
The one i use most is called Ultra Black and is made by permatex, I have used it to seal diffs, rocker covers, thermostat housings, water pumps and lots more

For rocker covers with the semi circle moon-seals and raised sections over the camshafts i definantly wouldn't test my luck without some gasket goo. You dont need much, just a little bit around the sharp corners and around the moon-seals and you'll find it wont leak at all providing its properly tensioned..

**Toobs** · 19-03-2006, 08:42 PM

Yep put some gasket goo in the corners of any sharp edges (e.g. near where the intake cam seal is).

If you want the official Toyota answer consult the BGB in Lances signature.