TiggerToo
Well-known member
When you assemble engine bits (e.g. carburettor on a small outboard), do you smear anything on the gaskets (e.g. grease? oil? which?) before tightening them up? Or do you just put them on "dry"?
I use grease. Makes them slightly 'softer' to bed down and easier to dis-assemble years later. It also keeps them in place while fitting the mating piece.
I also just use a thin smear of grease. Anything else is unnecessary.
This is the correct and time honoured way to assemble with paper gaskets and head gaskets. For all the reasons you give.
Using any form of sealing goo is incorrect, except in special circumstances. The gasket is there to seal the joint, there is no need to add silicone, hylomar or hermetite etc.
Grease on cylinder head gaskets, really???