When rebuilding or replacing the timing cover or water pump how many people use silicone or equivalent along with the gaskets
I use the gasket and put a small bead arround both the coolant ports on both the cover side and the engine side.
agreed, I do the same thing to ensure a good seal.
I base my method on the condition of the parts. If they're pitted or if there was a leak I use silicone. If they look like new I just use the gaskets. They almost never look like new though...
I just put a small bead of RTV on both sides of the gasket and bolt the parts together. I've never had a water pump leak doing that.
I'm a big fan of Hylomar, but it's not always available any more.
I use Hylomar on Harley engine cases and cylinder base gaskets, and on car engines in place of permatex. It was developed by Rolls Royse for use in the aerospace industry. It don't harden and dry out, impervious to gas and oil, and it wont plug an oil hole and cause a spun bearing like silicone can. It can be found cheap at any Harbor Freight.
http://www.hylomarblue.com/
FANTASTIC! Thanks for the Harbor Freight tip Tbone.
Time to stock up again, I was on my last tube.
Thanks for the headsup on the Hylomar. Sounds like some good stuff!!