What to rtv?

[bcjjones]

I need to replace my oil pan gasket and Turbo gaskets. Can I rtv all of these or are gaskets required?

 

[RadDsm]

Black RTV for the oil pan, proper gaskets for the rest.

 

[Speedemon636]

^ Yep. Some say using a gasket on the oil pan tends to actually cause leaks and it's better to just RTV it. It depends on what quality gasket you use and how thoroughly you put it on. But RTV alone is fine.

 

[TheWanderer]

My thoughts are, use a gasket if the service manual calls for it. Never RTV where a gasket is called for by factory specs. You may pay more, but use OEM dealer gaskets rather than off the shelf aftermarket stuff. Sure, RTV has been used in place of gaskets many times before, many times without problems (and I'm guilty of the practice myself), but why chance it? This isn't saying you shouldn't use it at all, but I would recommend using it with the gasket as a way to hold things in place during assembly as well as a way to fill in any small gaps/cracks/imperfections.

Or course, I'm a bit of a purist, so YMMV. I will say this much though: Do not under any circumstances RTV the turbo gaskets. Given the temps that the turbo sees regularly, common sense dictates that you would want to use a graphite gasket like your EGR has. RTV will not withstand those types of temps.

 

[fstfbdy]

goto your local toyota dealer and get a tube of F I P G ( Form in place gasket ) that what they use on oil pans , tranny pans , etc.. no gaskets on some modles.

Thats all I use anymore at work. (not a toyota dealer either). Ive found it to be better then most other RTVs out there.

Also I dont know about in the DSM world but Ive used copper rtv for header gaskets on my other domestic turbo built cars.(my GN turbo to header connection didnt have a gasket from the factory) and a SCE copper gasket for the turbo itself if I have one layin around. Ive used ONLY copper rtv inbetween the turbo and flange with no problems though. just MAKE SURE you have a flat surface. take a long file to both mating surfaces to make sure they are flush.

 

[RadDsm]

The reason you RTV the oil pan is because there is no OEM gasket for it.

 

[Doubleot]

Use "The Right Stuff" on your pan, I've never had a problem with it. I never use oilpan gaskets anymore either, always have a leak with them even when torqued to factory spec.

For the turbo and exhaust components always use the correct metal gasket.

 

[fstfbdy]

The reason you RTV the oil pan is because there is no OEM gasket for it.

Theres pleanty of times Ive used FIPG over a gasket if I cant get a nice reinforded rubber gasket. I'm not a fan or cork or thin rubber gaskets for oil or tranny pans.

 

[tjohn23]

When I use RTV I like to put an even layer on the oil pan let it cure, apply a thin bead on the block, then tighten it up. I think just putting the RTV on and tightening the bolts doesn't make a good enough seal.

For the turbo, using RTV is just going to get destroyed by heat of the turbo.