Technical Gearbox Gasket Sealant

[SB1500]

Tomorrow is the big night, all the gearbox reconditioning and rocker cover etc (as saw on my other thread) but I've one problem.

No gasket sealer.

I ordered two Loctite 518 50ml tubes, but they never arrived today, they *might* tomorrow but I need a backup product locally sourced in most motor factors or Hellfrauds just in case!!!

What do you recommend?

Can't chance any sub-par products, but at the same time tomorrow night is when the axel stands, jacks and my uncle is available to help with the massive job so that's why the urgency.

 

[tenpastnine]

I went to Fiat!
Expensive and probably much the same as other brands, Can't even recall if it was branded or something else honestly didn't take a lot of notice.



I used Fiat sump sealant when I did the sump and its held out for the past 5years so figured it couldn't be bad.



Hope someone else (someone mechanical) can give a better answer! SB1500

 

[portland_bill]

Any good name brand automotive sealant will do.
Don't use the stuff from a builders' merchant, theoretically the same stuff, but usually too acidic for the alloy casings. Any automotive sealant should be ok with alloy and resist oil.

Don't overdo it. Excess will squeeze out of the joint, so is just wasted, but inside the sump can detach and block the pickup if enough of it. At least on sump and gearbox there are no oilways to block up.

 

[SB1500]

Thanks guys. Will the same stuff do the sump?

Seeing a lot of silicone based ones, is that suitable?

 

[DaveMcT]

Silicone will work (correct grade as others said). It's not as good as 518 but will do the job fine. Clean the faces, apply the sealant in a continuous bead around the joint and close the joint. Don't over it as excess sealer will be pushed out and wasted. I personally like to smear the bead with a finger but that's just me being old school.

If the joint has a gasket that's not damaged and you don't have a replacement something like Hylomar will do the job. Smear onto both metal faces fit gasket and close the joint.

 

[SB1500]

Got some during work today, when I said sump I meant rocker cover**

Thanks, I'll see you all on the other side.


Either.. I'll need a new gearbox and wallet ..

Or it'll be plain sailing and the Panda will grace the roads smoothly for the years to come

 

[tenpastnine]

plain sailing and the Panda will grace the roads smoothly for the years to come

This


It'll be fine

 

[FASTMOGGY]

Tomorrow is the big night, all the gearbox reconditioning and rocker cover etc (as saw on my other thread) but I've one problem.

No gasket sealer.

I ordered two Loctite 518 50ml tubes, but they never arrived today, they *might* tomorrow but I need a backup product locally sourced in most motor factors or Hellfrauds just in case!!!

What do you recommend?

Can't chance any sub-par products, but at the same time tomorrow night is when the axel stands, jacks and my uncle is available to help with the massive job so that's why the urgency.

Ok, bit late to ask as ive just had my rocker cover done and no sealant was used!
The surfaces were in 'as new' condition so very clean. I'm now hoping that this was a good sign but time will tell but at least my spark plug will now be oil free!

My panda has just done 41000 on a 05 plate so that may be the reason it was so clean?


Can I assume that sealant is used when there is suggestion that the rocker cover/top of engine block was warped slightly to ensure a 100% seal?


My problem was down to the gasket being 'brittle' and cracked allowing oil to pass through it very slowly so as not to show any drips on the floor.
As ive said, time will tell and the MOT in 2 weeks so fingers crossed

 

[DaveMcT]

MoT won't care unless oil is dripping.

I use Loctite 518 gasket sealant. It sets only under the joint and isn't cheap. But my tube was bought in 2003 and has only just run out. DIY purposes only but not bad.

It's not strictly needed on a rocker cover, but it's best to change the gasket when the cover is removed and this stuff prevent any shrinkage over time from causing leaks.

Did you have the valve clearances checked wile the rocker cover was removed?