School me on the proper use of RTV and such products

[blocke]

In relation to oil pan gasket replacement. I've searched, read tons of threads with some people saying "yes" use some sort of sealant in addition to the OEM gasket. Others say "no".

I have just about every color of RTV, and some Hylomar.

Can anyone give me a definitive yes or no to use in conjunction with the OEM oil pan gasket, and if so, what is the proper method of application?

Both sides of gasket?
Mating surface only?
Around bolt holes?

[jlevie]

I don't use any sealant with the OE gasket and neither did BMW when they built the engine.

[blocke]

I don't use any sealant with the OE gasket and neither did BMW when they built the engine.

I couldn't tell, haven't dropped the pan yet. Now in what instances would you? If pan mating surface was gouged or pitted or something?

[jlevie]

A gasket sealant would be called for if one of the mating surfaces were damaged. It is also possible to use silicone in place of a gasket. My race engine has gray silicone between the crank scraper and the block and blue silicone between the pan and the scraper. The gray variety sets hard and glues the scraper to the block, but the blue variety doesn't set hard which allows the pan to be removed w/o disturbing the scraper.

[AndrewBird]

From my experience, you do not want to use silicone based products where there is oil. It does not work well with oil. Something like this works a lot better:

http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_sealants/auto_Permatex_Form-A-Gasket_No_2_Sealant.htm

Put a very thin coat on both sides of the gasket and on both surfaces that the gasket touches. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes before you put it together. I've used this stuff a lot and it works great.

[CHIF8008]

oil pan gasket.- you can put the RVT on both sides of the gasket, no problem, it wont hurt it. it should not be needed if the surface is perfect(but when does that happen on this old of a car?)

you can use RVT on pretty much any gasket from your engine, just not the HG.

[immajackuup]

rtv is crap! honda bond is the best.