I will agree and disagree with = you. O-rings should be lightly lubricated with a light grease such as vasaline. = It is a common practice to to use a sealant on paper gaskets during = installation. The last gasket kit a bought even included a tube of green stuff just = for that purpose. Sloopy gasket installation aided by the use of large = quantities of RTV's is a sure sign of trouble to come.

----- Original Message -----

From: Bradley = Flubacher

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM =

Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2001 = 10:49 AM

Subject: Re: Any recommended = sealant for o-rings?

To the best of my knowledge, the ONLY things you ever need to put a = sealant on are those specifically stated in bentley.

My understanding is that when properly assembled, new o-rings and gaskets = should properly seal without any "help".

Looking for RTV or other sealants is a good way to determine = if someone knew what they were doing when they rebuilt or fixed an engine.

Hope this helps,

Bradley Flubacher
State College, PA
'82 VW = diesel westy
'84 GL wasserboxer

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing = List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of All of Us
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2001 10:26 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Any recommended sealant = for o-rings?

Volks:

Yesterday I started replacing my = thermostat and performing a drain, flush and refill on the coolant system on Miss = Blue, my '87 GL. In removing the top to the thermostst housing (TH), 2 of the = bolts sheared off. I had to remove the lower part of the TH from the = engine block in order to drill out the sheared bolts. There is a rubber o-ring = gasket between the TH and the engine block that I will replace when I = reinstall it. Should I put any sort of sealant on this o-ring when I reinstall the = TH? Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA.

Dan Weber

Miss Blue - '87 GL Weekender.