Using RTV Sealant: What side to install on?

[alansupra94]

I was wondering what side do you install RTV sealant on? Part side? Or other side?

This is regarding the water pump, oil pump and oil pan.

 

[Imback]

whichever ever side you want but most people use that on exhaust related parts.

 

[thewombis]

Water pump? I use an OEM felt type gasket, and a little Permatex high tack gasket sealer. RTV is over used by a lot of DSMers... It is used incorrectly way to much.

Permatex High Tack Gasket Sealant

RTV used incorrectly can just cause way more problems. When I do use RTV, on the oil pan for example, I lay a single bead all the way around, set the pan on and just put a light amount of pressure on it so the sealant makes contact to both surfaces. I then let it dry before torquing it down. In my opinion this is the proper way to use it. It also will prevent it from "gooing" into the engine..

 

[DSM4me44]

The correct use for RTV is for it to help make a better seal.

With that being said there are a few different ways that people view this.

1. Use it on one side of the gasket (either side)

2. Use it on both sides of the gasket

3. Don't use it at all.

4. Use it but WITHOUT a gasket.

Personally I have always used a little bit on both sides of the gasket. I have used it this way to seal a water pump, thermostat, etc. I haven't had an issue.

I won't tell you which is the right way, but I have had good luck doing it this way. Others on here will recommend you do it differently.

I will say that I was getting a boost leak from my Greddy bov and the only way to completely elminate it was to run RTV on both sides of my gasket.

Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[redyute1]

Either/or,use rtv only or use gasket only,i personally would not and have never used it on the oil pump,the gasket works just fine.

 

[DSM_PWR]

Ive always used the RTV sealant called "Right Stuff"

Its the best and ive never had one oil leak!... i use it on both surfaces plus the gasket in the middle

 

[92_talon_awd]

I've used RTV on oil pans and water pumps without a gasket and never had a leak. I just put it on the part, wait a minute and torque it down. This was how I was taught to use RTV in the Marines when I was an active duty mechanic and this method has never failed me. Of course almost everybody I know has their own way of using it, plenty of right ways if you ask me. As long as it doesn't leak, you did it right.

 

[My1GLaser]

I was wondering what side do you install RTV sealant on? Part side? Or other side?

This is regarding the water pump, oil pump and oil pan.

Don't use it on the oil pump! I don't know if you meant the whole front case or the actual pump itself, but don't use it on either. It will squeeze into the front case and could get into the oil supply orifices. The pump itself is machined and must have a certain side clearance to work properly.

The water pump has a gasket.

The oil pan side should have Ultra Grey RTV applied with about 1/8-3/16" wide bead.

 

[alansupra94]

I have a new full gasket set for the whole engine so its not like I am using RTV alone. I was reading the Haynes manual and it only mentions using the RTV on the water pump and oil pan. For the oil pan I plan on using a thin layer on both sides of the gasket and the same thing for the water pump.

Thanks for the information guys. I am not going to over do it, I am just following instructions in the Haynes Manual.

 

[DSM4me44]

I've used RTV on oil pans and water pumps without a gasket and never had a leak. I just put it on the part, wait a minute and torque it down. This was how I was taught to use RTV in the Marines when I was an active duty mechanic and this method has never failed me. Of course almost everybody I know has their own way of using it, plenty of right ways if you ask me. As long as it doesn't leak, you did it right.

Agreed. Thats what I was saying. The purpose is to prevent a leak. When you do so, you have used it correctly.

 

[My1GLaser]

For the oil pan I plan on using a thin layer on both sides of the gasket and the same thing for the water pump.

Thanks for the information guys. I am not going to over do it, I am just following instructions in the Haynes Manual.

The Mitsubishi factory service manual only calls for using RTV Ultra Grey (mitsu equivalent) on the oil pan. I'm not trying to be a dick, but oil pan gaskets tend to leak and all of my cars only have RTV on the oil pan from the factory. Just my .02.

On a side note, there are 2 shorter oil pan bolts that HAVE to go on the end of the pan that is under the crank pulley. If some of the longer ones are installed accidentally, they will make a groove in the timing belt over time. Ask me how I know.

If you pm me your email addy, I can email you the engine manual section of the factory service manual. Its 3mb and I don't know how to upload it to tuners.

 

[Burnett03]

Don't use RTV on what you are trying to use it on, use copper spray on the gasket and let it tack up, then install.

 

[alansupra94]

The Mitsubishi factory service manual only calls for using RTV Ultra Grey (mitsu equivalent) on the oil pan. I'm not trying to be a dick, but oil pan gaskets tend to leak and all of my cars only have RTV on the oil pan from the factory. Just my .02.

On a side note, there are 2 shorter oil pan bolts that HAVE to go on the end of the pan that is under the crank pulley. If some of the longer ones are installed accidentally, they will make a groove in the timing belt over time. Ask me how I know.

If you pm me your email addy, I can email you the engine manual section of the factory service manual. Its 3mb and I don't know how to upload it to tuners.

I have the DSM shop manual. I bought the CD from ebay and I noticed that it says that.

Well that settles it, I am not using RTV sealant on anything but the oil pan.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[toxicity883]

Ive always used red rtv on everything but then again I'm a dirt track and a turbo charged engine is a completely different world than my good ol' 383 stroker

 

[DSM_PWR]

Don't use it on the oil pump!....

Ive still used it on the oil pump and never had any problems with it.. of course i dont go crazy like others do..

What i do is put some rtv on both sides, press the oil pump against the block so the excess will squeeze out, then shave it off so that theres only a very thin but good layer on there..

From all my experience with DSMs, oil pump are always the #1 source of oil leaks

 

[Team Addiction]

Ive always used the RTV sealant called "Right Stuff"

Its the best and ive never had one oil leak!... i use it on both surfaces plus the gasket in the middle

Right stuff FTW

I was pointed to "Right Stuff" By a friends dad who has been building cars long before many of us were alive. He swears by it for just about anything he can use it on

I have had amazing luck with it on many different cars usually just valve cover and oil pan gaskets. But in a pinch if no gasket is available Right stuff to the rescue!!
Believe it or not My oil pan, oil pump, and oil filter housing are ALL sealed using ONLY "Right stuff" I use a fairly thin layer over the entire gasket area then snug down let sit a few minutes and torque to spec. So far so good Ive got about 500 miles on this setup and no issues yet .

 

[brownfinger]

Water pump? I use an OEM felt type gasket, and a little Permatex high tack gasket sealer. RTV is over used by a lot of DSMers... It is used incorrectly way to much.

Permatex High Tack Gasket Sealant

RTV used incorrectly can just cause way more problems.

That's the right stuff to "help" a gasket. It doesn't ever really dry. That's the stuff to use if you're building an engine out of the car. RTV is used on the water pump to glue the gasket to the pump when you're replacing the pump with the engine in the car. Then you carefully spread a thin, even layer on the pump only, and then position the gasket. Then weigh it down on a flat surface until the RTV fully dries. That's about the only way to make sure the gasket ends up where it's supposed to after you spend a half-hour cussing, wiggling, and dropping the water pump while trying to position it and put the bolts in. You don't use it on the other side of the gasket 'cause then it would end-up everywhere else in the world besides where you wanted it.

 

[DSM_PWR]

....Believe it or not My oil pan, oil pump, and oil filter housing are ALL sealed using ONLY "Right stuff" ....

I can definetly believe that, Ive used "Right Stuff" on places where i didnt have a gasket and its never leaked a drop

 

[redyute1]

U learn something new everyday,i've never heard of right stuff,and rtv sealant is something i use daily at our shop,i prefer the grey one looks oem.But yeah i definately will look into right stuff to see how it works.

 

[Team Addiction]

U learn something new everyday,i've never heard of right stuff,and rtv sealant is something i use daily at our shop,i prefer the grey one looks oem.But yeah i definately will look into right stuff to see how it works.

Normally I prefer to use Gray RTV as a "helper" valve cover gasket corners, tiny film for holding water pump gaskets, Tstat housings (All grey RTV on mine, no gasket) But the "Right stuff" can come in handy in certain situations. But it is also quite spendy. We all know much dishonesty there is in labeling these days but "Right stuff" claims to "meet or exceed OEM quality gaskets! FWIW

 

[DSM_PWR]

To me, its an All-In-One RTV sealant (even says so on the bottle) ...

No need for different color sealants when this stuff works the best

 

[alansupra94]

Hmmm....I have the engine out of the car, so lining up the gasket will not be a problem.

I might still use some on the water pump, not 100% sure at this time. I might also just leave the oil pump alone because it was already replaced along with the FMS.

 

[snowborder714]

To me, its an All-In-One RTV sealant (even says so on the bottle) ...

No need for different color sealants when this stuff works the best

You didn't get the correct stuff

They have Right Stuff for Imports

I only use this for my oil pan.

 

[DSM_PWR]

You didn't get the correct stuff

They have Right Stuff for Imports

I only use this for my oil pan.

ive been using this stuff for quite a while now, including every car we've done side work on and never heard any complaints about an oil leak/water leak

i fail to see what kind of special chemicals there are, that are Import specific, that the silicone will recognize..

But then again i wouldnt be suprised if there was a special "DSM Proof" brand out there *Note to self, Patent idea*

 

[romeen]

You didn't get the correct stuff

They have Right Stuff for Imports

I only use this for my oil pan.

I just redid my oil pan gasket yesterday using this stuff (gray colored "Right Stuff"). Time will tell......