If you haven't taken the cover off yet, and you're where the leak is, try cleaning the area with brake parts cleaner and then put some JB Weld putty on it.
I vote for the gasket. If you don't, you'll get a galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals of the block and the cover... which leads to corrosion and early failure.
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08:50 AM
bulldog85043 Member
Posts: 403 From: Phoenix, AZ USA Registered: Jan 2009
I vote for the gasket. If you don't, you'll get a galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals of the block and the cover... which leads to corrosion and early failure.
I'm with Blooz. Also, I'd put an extra bead of Permatex Red RTV on each side of the gasket to help in sealing since it's already leaking and may have damaged the surfaces.
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11:18 AM
jaskispyder Member
Posts: 21510 From: Northern MI Registered: Jun 2002
Whenever I have a situation like yours, heres what I do. I just replaced the timing chain in my '86 2.8 . I did not have a leak, but before I replaced the timing cover I brush on a coat of Permatex form a gasket. This is a brown liquid that comes in a small white can with a brush in cap. I have used this stuff for more than 35 years and swear by it. I have used the RTV in the tube, but prefer form a gasket. One word of caution, if you do use RTV on any surface, be careful you do not use too much. Excess RTV can squeeze into the engine and end up on the oil pick up screen causing oil restriction. If it gets into the cooling system, it can cause a blockage somewhere in there. RTV sealant is good stuff, but I prefer the other. Hope this helps.
Always use a gasket where required,,ALWAYS ,unless sealer has been recomended to replace gasket... some sort of sealer that will assist the gasket when there is a leak can be used .. eyeball the leak area and see if you can smooth out in the best way possible .. often a leak can be stopped by application of J B Weld to fill a flaw,then sanded a cover can often be restored by using the concrete floor of the carport or garage and rotating surfacing the cover,,just find the most level surface ,, this has been very effective for me over my 50 years as a gearhead .. I sometimes use a piece of cardboard box ,or cereal box with sand paper glued to it to resurface..lay iton the concrete floor and have at it.. you can cheak your efforts on a pieceof glass Remember if you must remove a lot of material & you used rough sandpaper or garage floor,, finish with fine sand paper if needed..
Vote Gaskets Fel-pro and get at many auto parts. Fel-pro and use high tack, super 300 (both Permatex), or balkamp aviator sealer.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
