In a message dated 02/01/2005 8:44:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes: i take it that you enjoy cleaning unnecessary glue from engine when repairing them? German gaskets and proper torque is all thats needed. Glue just makes the gasket slide and possibly not seal. Not to mention the fact that it really sucks to remove later.
AND, those gaskets that are installed dry and become baked to the aluminium surface and have to be removed with a gasket scraper or razor blade insuring damage of the aluminium surface is better ? Silicon sealant is not glue it will not be difficult to remove, in fact most times it will come away with the gasket or O-ring and what ever is left will peel off easily with a light rubbing with your finger. Sealant oozing out of mating surfaces is just a show of the installers paranoia by using way too much of the sealant. A very light tack coat is all that's needed. Another old time trick is to coat the gasket with engine oil before installing. This will soften the gasket somewhat, insure a tight seal and make it easy to remove when the time comes. I've done both and now favour the silicon method as the grey one for aluminium surfaces insures that no corrosion will take place there. If you need to disassemble for any reason it's very easy and leaves a good clean surface to put things back together.
Cheers, Frank Condelli Almonte, Ontario, Canada _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005 '87 Westy, '90 Carat & Lionel Trains Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_ (http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/) & _CCVWC_ (http://www.ccvwc.ca/) Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm) _Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html) or http://frankcondelli.com |
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