thoughts on paper gaskets and the use of sealer..

JOB: full axle refurbishment, front and rear.

So are paper gaskets ok by themselves or would you recommend a bit of sealant too?

The paper gaskets seem a lot thinner than the ones I am pulling out. Some people say paper and sealant, some say just paper, some say just sealant.

I don't want to be that guy who just mastics everything... so will just paper cut it?

Universally_Challenged said:

JOB: full axle refurbishment, front and rear.

So are paper gaskets ok by themselves or would you recommend a bit of sealant too?

The paper gaskets seem a lot thinner than the ones I am pulling out. Some people say paper and sealant, some say just paper, some say just sealant.

I don't want to be that guy who just mastics everything... so will just paper cut it?

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get decent gaskets if thats what you want, you can use a litte hylomar on gasket too , or use rtv silicone sealant both ways work well

jamesmartin said:

get decent gaskets if thats what you want, you can use a litte hylomar on gasket too , or use rtv silicone sealant both ways work well

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I've always used grease on the mating faces of paper gaskets with no negative results. Not sure if this is any good?

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:

I've always used grease on the mating faces of paper gaskets with no negative results. Not sure if this is any good?

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why

I use this with the gaskets, only a small amount.

REINZOSIL

I use it on my sump and rocker cover, in fact on any thing that needs it, I new have a leak free landy. Its the best sealant I have ever used.

jamesmartin said:

why

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No idea where I've picked it up from. But just to add as an extra seal and to stop the gasket sticking when come ti remove it.

Is it wrong?

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:

No idea where I've picked it up from. But just to add as an extra seal and to stop the gasket sticking when come ti remove it.

Is it wrong?

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not if it works for you ,its just if gaskets get to wet/lubricated they tend to split

jamesmartin said:

not if it works for you ,its just if gaskets get to wet/lubricated they tend to split

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I can imagine that happening. I must say a smear of grease does make replacement of the gasket much easier as it doesn't adhere to the metal. Had no leaks so far either. Can't for the life of me remember where I picked it up from though

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:

I can imagine that happening. I must say a smear of grease does make replacement of the gasket much easier as it doesn't adhere to the metal. Had no leaks so far either. Can't for the life of me remember where I picked it up from though

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Probably someone using it to hold the gasket in place while fitting the bolts?

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:

I can imagine that happening. I must say a smear of grease does make replacement of the gasket much easier as it doesn't adhere to the metal. Had no leaks so far either. Can't for the life of me remember where I picked it up from though

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sounds old school so might well be the future

We used a thin smear of grease back in the day to hold gaskets in place on things like sumps. But used genuine Volvo truck gaskets which were really thick and heavy. As Rtv became readily available (cheaper) we used that instead.

I always used grease when I was a wee lad [emoji106] rtv now [emoji106]happy days

Cheapo Britpart gaskets (for example) are generally thin as hell and no good. Proper ones aren't expensive and are thick enough to do the job better.

A smear of grease or sealant works for me too, for example around the water pump area I will apply a smear of RTV type stuff as that area is known for leaks and the castings are a bit long-legged now!

Universally_Challenged said:

JOB: full axle refurbishment, front and rear.

So are paper gaskets ok by themselves or would you recommend a bit of sealant too?

The paper gaskets seem a lot thinner than the ones I am pulling out. Some people say paper and sealant, some say just paper, some say just sealant.

I don't want to be that guy who just mastics everything... so will just paper cut it?

Click to expand...

If you are worried about quality of paper gaskets, you can buy gasket paper, and draw and cut out your own.
Google gasket paper, and see if there is a supplier close to you. There is one about ten miles from here, they have a warehouse full of gasket materials, which they supply to different manufacturers. It is available in different thicknesses, and about four quid a metre off a metre wide roll. You get a lot of gaskets out of a metre!

As James said, it doesn't like getting wet or damp, so I keep the sheets under the carpet upstairs, not in the shed.

Myself, I would use hylomar or similar with a diff gasket, just for peace of mind.

Turboman said:

If you are worried about quality of paper gaskets, you can buy gasket paper, and draw and cut out your own.
Google gasket paper, and see if there is a supplier close to you. There is one about ten miles from here, they have a warehouse full of gasket materials, which they supply to different manufacturers. It is available in different thicknesses, and about four quid a metre off a metre wide roll. You get a lot of gaskets out of a metre!

As James said, it doesn't like getting wet or damp, so I keep the sheets under the carpet upstairs, not in the shed.

Myself, I would use hylomar or similar with a diff gasket, just for peace of mind.

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Buy gasket paper? I've always used an old wheatabix box for my 125cc bikes when I was growing up.

Maybe my question should have been... if using sealant and a gasket... do you just use it one side? because that would give you a dry side unsealed with sealant. but if you use it both sides, why bother with paper gaskets at all?

Universally_Challenged said:

Buy gasket paper? I've always used an old wheatabix box for my 125cc bikes when I was growing up.

Maybe my question should have been... if using sealant and a gasket... do you just use it one side? because that would give you a dry side unsealed with sealant. but if you use it both sides, why bother with paper gaskets at all?

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Cartridge paper for school type projects is just as good ...

Is it any wonder why people always moan about landys leaking?

I just use hylomar blue. No paper gasket. Not had any problems with it so far.

Universally_Challenged said:

Buy gasket paper? I've always used an old wheatabix box for my 125cc bikes when I was growing up.

Maybe my question should have been... if using sealant and a gasket... do you just use it one side? because that would give you a dry side unsealed with sealant. but if you use it both sides, why bother with paper gaskets at all?

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I don't usually use sealant, unless it is specified, or unless it is needed to hold the gasket in place during assembly.

Just using sealant may work if the mating metal surfaces are near perfect, often they aren't!