The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop Gasket sealers

Should I use any type of gasket sealer on the gasket for my new fuel pump? I have seen Motor Trend shows where they complain about the use of silicone, etc... Do I need to use anything and if so any recommendations? My gut says the gasket should be enough?

Gasket sealer is a band-aid for poorly fitting parts. If you choose to use RTV, it needs to be used instead of a gasket, not in addition to it. If there's a rough surface or warped sheet metal that prevents the gasket from getting a good contact with both pieces it's supposed to be sealing, a brush-on liquid sealer like Permatex Super 300 might be OK, but gap-filling sealers like "silicone", "RTV", etc. are just a poor substitute for the mechanic doing his job properly. There's nothing that screams "amateur" like gobs of RTV squeezing out of a gasket surface in all directions!
Jerry

Thanks Jerry. I rarely have used a gasket out of a tube material before because I always believed that was the job of the gasket but with some of the upcoming work I need to do I figured it was time to get some expert input.

Dave, I think you're going to get different opinions about this. I would use something like Permatex Aviation Gasket sealer or any of the other Permatex non-hardening sealers. But if that pump is new and if it came from a country with 5 letters beginning with Ch (which is not Chile), you may be removing that pump sooner than you planned, so in that case no gasket sealer might be ok. Good luck.

Sorry Jerry...I stopped typing to have breakfast.

Permatex Hi-Tack is a good choice here. It is what I use for my fuel pump, timing cover, therm and water pump gaskets.


Permatex High Tack Gasket Sealant

"When a chemical gasket is not an option, what should you use? Permatex High Tack gasket sealant is a fast-drying all-purpose sealant that dries to a highly tacky, non-brittle film. It is suitable for both import and domestic vehicle applications (any model year or performance caliber). This easy-to-use brush-on sealer is a reliable general adhesive that resists gasoline, oil, antifreeze, axle lube, kerosene, propane, and butane. It remains effective under temperatures of -65 degrees F to 500 degrees F, and is ideal for use on valve covers, fuel pumps, manifold gaskets and more!"

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ptx-80062

Just be sure you've got a 3 foot pry bar the next time you need to take something apart after using High Tack!
Jerry

I am going to move forward with nothing except the gasket. I will post an update once I know if it works or leaks.

I’ve known some folks to use weatherstrip adhesive to get certain gaskets to stick long enough to get them bolted in place. Never yet tried it myself, but my sons truck has a goofy rubber/silicon valve cover gasket and I might give it a go.

I really like this stuff, its super sticky and holds the gaskets while working with them. https://www.bigmachineparts.com/products/loctite-gasket-maker-518-50-ml-37394