Diff gasket question...

[Mtriple]

I'm trying to get the rear end of my car finished and I seem to have misplaced my diff cover gasket. The dealership is going to be closed tomorrow so my question is:

Has anyone used RTV sealant instead of the factory paper gasket?

Or should I just wait for the $tealer to open on Monday?

[Jean]

I haven't but I got a brand new oem diff gasket in the garage if you want it. Fedex same day overnight is probably expensive as hell though lol

[PiercedE30]

Use some RTV Grey. Works great.

[Mtriple]

I haven't but I got a brand new oem diff gasket in the garage if you want it. Fedex same day overnight is probably expensive as hell though lol

Haha, thanks for the offer!

[Mtriple]

Use some RTV Grey. Works great.

Hmm, I have black and blue but no grey...

[erik325i]

I've always used the gasket, but it should be fine with just the sealant considering BMW just uses sealant with no gasket on some of their diffs (e46 m3 I think).

Erik

[BigTe30]

I decided to bring this thread back from the dead, as opposed to making my own since my question is related.

I plan on replacing my diff cover gasket on Saturday, do i need to put any type of gasket sealer on the gasket? probably a noob question, but i'm just looking for a little piece of mind. Thanks in advance.

[stumble_t]

I use a light coat of K&W copper on mine, both sides of the gasket and no leaks.

[BigTe30]

I was looking for a diff cover gasket DIY and i found this diff info link

http://www.e30eta.com/ecdiff.htm

"Drain the differential oil. Reinstallation torque on the drain and fill plugs is 50 Nm (36 ft-lb). If you've removed the cover, reinstallation torque is 50 Nm (36 ft-lb), and you must use new wave washers."

did u replace the washers, do i need to?

[dashboardmonkey]

I used high temp orange on my old diff and it never leaked

[stumble_t]

I was looking for a diff cover gasket DIY and i found this diff info link

http://www.e30eta.com/ecdiff.htm

"Drain the differential oil. Reinstallation torque on the drain and fill plugs is 50 Nm (36 ft-lb). If you've removed the cover, reinstallation torque is 50 Nm (36 ft-lb), and you must use new wave washers."

did u replace the washers, do i need to?

I always try to replace a washer on a drain plug of any kind when reinstalling one. And yes, tighten them to the recommended spec.
from the factory repair manual:
filler & drain plugs: 70nm
cover bolts: 45nm

[BigTe30]

Thanks for all the help guys.

[erik325i]

You don't need to, but I always try to spray some of the red Permatex gasket spray onto both sides of any paper gasket for the extra piece of mind. The copper high temp sprays seem to work well too.