Do I use gasket sealer on this gasket? There is a black line running through the gasket, I'm wondering if that is sealer...and which way it faces.

Thanks again!

 

I don't think gasket sealer would hurt anything. I used a little to keep the gasket stuck to the face while I got it into place.

If I remember correctly, the gasket is asymmetric, so it only fits one way.

 

The RAVE says dry so I installed mine dry and have had no issues.

I think putting sealant of any type on any gasket that is designed not to have it is only asking for trouble in the long run and is a common mistake among do-it-your-selfers.

 

I go the opposite I use a thin layer of Black RTV on almost everything.
my Harleys leak enough they don't need help from the LR's.

 

+1

But I AM one of those do-it-your-selfers that vwhammer mentions.

 

What to do, what to do? Since the RAVE says dry, I too think I'll go dry...

Won't get to it until at least Friday night - taking off last Monday, Friday and yesterday has left me hurting in the "work" department...doing 10 hour days trying to catch up. I don't need to go home and add frustration of fixing my truck.

I rented a car thru next Monday...giving me the whole weekend to put it back together. I imagine it should only take a few hours, but since I keep doing everything slightly wrong - or the hard way - I'll give myself the whole weekend!

Thanks for all your help, and by all means, continue the advice...

 

do you really want to get it all back together and have a leak?

 

Simple answer.... NO!!!!

 

use a thin coat of black rtv then

 

If you read manufacturers of the gaskets and vehicles recommendations, 90% of the time you will see that there is no mention on putting sealant of any sort on the gaskets but only at places where there is no gasket or intersections of two different gaskets.

Most of these gaskets are designed to seal with no additional sealant.
That is what they were meant for, to seal.
If you need to use silicone everywhere then why even put the gasket there in the first place.

Either way I had to change my front cover that was leaking and surprise there was silicone everywhere.
I installed my new gasket dry and surprise again it does not leak.

It drives me crazy when tearing into an engine and finding globs of silicone on every single part when it is totally unnecessary.
Or better yet finding that the oil pickup is blocked with chunks of silicone that has squeezed out and broken off of an oil pan, valve cover or whatever gasket that someone slathered in goop.

If everything is clean and dry and the proper torque specs are used then generally there will be no issues with a dry gasket.

This is all just my opinion and my experiences so I guess everyone can do a little research and decide for themselves.