Sealant for Valve Cover Gasket

[rkneeshaw]

I just did a ton of research and thought I'd share

The manual calls for "3-bond 1209" but it appears its very hard to get anymore. Some BMW dealerships are using Hylomar Universal Blue instead. I have yet to see an official document from BMW on this though.

Hylomar was bought by Permatex.

The product descriptions for Permatex Ultra Rubber Gasket Sealant (#85409) is nearly identical to Hylomar Universal Blue.

In my opinion, using the Permatex 85409 is the best solution here to ensure long seal life and lowest chance of leaks.

[BimmerWill]

Thanks for the info...im looking to replace mine in the near future.

[UdubBadger]

thats what I just used on mine

[nike001]

No sealant is really "needed"

I never used sealant and have had no problems. I've spoke with multiple tech's on the VCG's of our cars and none of them say sealant is necessary. But if you're picky, you can apply sealant in the two U shaped dips in the front & back of your engine.

[Johnmadd]

No sealant is really "needed"

I never used sealant and have had no problems. I've spoke with multiple tech's on the VCG's of our cars and none of them say sealant is necessary. But if you're picky, you can apply sealant in the two U shaped dips in the front & back of your engine.

+1 e30 requires no sealant and even though I haven't done one on the e46 I assumed the same, the seal probably has a thin strip through the middle that makes it seal.

[Rovert]

This is what I used for my VCG today.
http://img.tapatalk.com/ae01c319-7d2f-f1bf.jpg

[Nivo]

This is what I used for my VCG today.
http://img.tapatalk.com/ae01c319-7d2f-f1bf.jpg

I also used this on my cars, never any issues using it.

[Rovert]

It even smells ok too. LOL

My friend with an E46 325i came over and he was wondering that the red stuff was for. He didn't use it and just did his VCG without anything...now he knows why his VCG still leaks....he is the impatient/know it all kinda guy....so he probably didn't read up on a VCG DIY.

[BimmerWill]

So use it or don't? Feel like it would be better to use it and be safe then not and it start leaking on me again lol..

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[WOLFN8TR]

Oops see below.

[WOLFN8TR]

The product descriptions for Permatex Ultra Rubber Gasket Sealant (#85409) is nearly identical to Hylomar Universal Blue.

In my opinion, using the Permatex 85409 is the best solution here to ensure long seal life and lowest chance of leaks.

That's the stuff I used when I did my VANOS & VCG. In my opinion the way the valve cover is bolted down doesn't appy adequate pressure in those areas.


Bayerische-Motoren-Werke

[slowboat]

My good friend who is a tech at a BMW dealership said that he and all the other techs install them DRY and have never had an issue.

[WOLFN8TR]

My good friend who is a tech at a BMW dealership said that he and all the other techs install them DRY and have never had an issue.

Even if they did would he really tell you?

Issue=Customer Return=$$$

Just Saying


Bayerische-Motoren-Werke

[BimmerWill]

Even if they did would he really tell you?

Issue=Customer Return=$$$

Just Saying


Bayerische-Motoren-Werke

Very good point...personally rather play it safe then sorry Imo...

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[rkneeshaw]

Seems to me the rubber gasket is a failure prone part of the equation, being that everyone recommends it be replaced every 60-80k miles or it will leak on its own. I'm curious for those using things like the Red RTV silicone sealant if that is lasting as long as the original gasket seal, or those who install the rubber gasket without any sealant at all if their repair is lasting 50k miles, 70k miles, etc. This sounds like a job I'd like to do once, and do it a better way than OEM, and try to get it to last longer than the original factory seal.

To me it seems that the sealant designed for rubber gaskets that remains pliable over time and keeps the rubber conditioned would be the optimal choice here, and thats what the Permatex Ultra Rubber Sealant dressing does.

Maybe using something like the red RTV sealant/gasket maker would work fine too because it is designed to act as a gasket itself.... so if enough of it is applied theoretically it would be sealing the valve cover moreso than the rubber gasket... Anyone hear of any issue using a silicone gasket maker against a rubber gasket?

[Oli77]

Thread revival!

About to do vcg. News on the sealant to use? Bentley manual does call for it at the half moons.

I have Grey Permatex, will do?

[John in VA]

Beisan shows use of red RTV - http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/vanos_procedure.htm

29396

[BMWM3186]

I just put a little dab where it said to on mine with black rtv, I don't think the color matters much, the vcg I pulled off did not have any rtv and was not leaking.

[Oli77]

Thanks brothers.

[04yfz]

I use permatex grey or black with good results. Don't like Red as it doesn't look original but I'm sure it works just as well.

[Vas]

Use grey or black. Both blend in well.

[Scott ZHP]

I'm not a fan of RTV/silicone. Seen way too many cases where guys glob it on too thick and then pieces break off.

My go-to sealant on everything that touches oil or fuel is either Hondabond, or Permatex Permashield #85420. It's blue Hylomar.
It doesn't harden.

[Dual]

This is what I used for my VCG today.
http://img.tapatalk.com/ae01c319-7d2f-f1bf.jpg

LOL I remember that stuff: I used it in my recording studio! Had electric baseboard heat in the drum room and used it everywhere I could think of on the radiators to cut down on rattles. It worked!