To RTV or not to RTV - Infamous Nissan

GM4WALLS · 01-03-2021, 05:04 PM

Changing the intake gasket on my KA24DE. Would anyone recommend putting RTV sealant on the water jackets, or not?

dvdswan · 01-03-2021, 05:44 PM

Extra insurance isn't a bad thing. I've always used a thin coat of RTV on gaskets that need it.

alabama_lowlife · 01-03-2021, 10:08 PM

I always use RTV, if for no other reason, to hold the gasket in place while I’m installing the parts.

nunya · 01-03-2021, 11:54 PM

Experience has taught me that RTV is not a good idea in/on an automatic transmission. Years ago I used some to reseal a transmission pan. Months later it deteriorated and clogged my ATF fluid pump. That sucker would pump all the fluid out through the dipstick tube, but only when when I was wearing a nice shirt. When I took the pump loose and blew air through its ports, little chunks of RTV came out. Blow, rinse, repeat.

SBJ · 01-04-2021, 12:23 AM

I'm a big fan of #3 aviation sealant. Not just for coolant passages but also for sealing oil passages. Nothing against RTV, I just don't like cleaning it off mating surfaces. It also tends to keep rubber gaskets nice and pliable so they come off in one piece if you ever need take something apart again.

Nunya, that same stuff works quite well for transmission pans. Just paint a thin coat of it onto the gasket. You don't need much. I don't know if it's technically resistant to ATF but I've never seen one leak afterwards. I did a transmission service on my daily shortly after I got it and the pan is still bone dry 5+ years later.

GM4WALLS · 01-04-2021, 12:43 AM

I pretty much only use it on intakes and thermostat housings/waternecks.

Scott Turchin · 01-04-2021, 01:00 AM

Ultra-Black or Permatex Part 2b.
THIN coat.

(Thin coat)

GM4WALLS · 01-04-2021, 01:16 AM

Both sides of the gasket?

LugNut1990 · 01-04-2021, 04:08 AM

Permatex #2 (the dark green goo) for me! Unless RTV is the only option ...

FYI -- Transmission pan gaskets historically used no sealant. So clean both the pan's and the case's well. If a thin metal pan, slight reverse dimpling of the bolt-holes (using the peen of a ball-peen hammer) is an old trick.

Scott Turchin · 01-04-2021, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GM4WALLS

Both sides of the gasket?

I do both sides typically but you also have to make sure both sides are perfectly clean, one bump can still cause an intake leak....

Remember, THIN is the key there...

Gaskets typically don't need it, they are merely there to smooth the mountains and ridges of metal (at a microscopic level).

But the thin coat is merely insurance.

FYI Ultra black - superb and easy to remove.

Permatex 2B - SUPER SUPERB and EXTREMELY difficult to remove

01-03-2021, 05:04 PM	#1
GM4WALLS Join Date: May 2020 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 86 Vehicle: 1995 D21 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	To RTV or not to RTV Changing the intake gasket on my KA24DE. Would anyone recommend putting RTV sealant on the water jackets, or not?

01-04-2021, 04:08 AM	#9
LugNut1990 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: N.E. Kansas Posts: 700 Vehicle: 1990 Nissan Hardbody Thanks: 0 Thanked 89 Times in 78 Posts	Permatex #2 (the dark green goo) for me! Unless RTV is the only option ... FYI -- Transmission pan gaskets historically used no sealant. So clean both the pan's and the case's well. If a thin metal pan, slight reverse dimpling of the bolt-holes (using the peen of a ball-peen hammer) is an old trick. __________________ Original owner 1990 Nissan Hardbody, Aztec Red Standard cab, 4x4, KA24E, 5-speed Intentionally near-stock Mods: Second OEM horn, stereo/speakers/sub, mud and snow tires, HD trailer hitch (cat 3+), liquid bed liner, G1W dashcam Definitely not for sale!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-03-2021, 05:44 PM	#2
dvdswan Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 5,157 Vehicle: 96 HB Thanks: 167 Thanked 739 Times in 651 Posts	Extra insurance isn't a bad thing. I've always used a thin coat of RTV on gaskets that need it. __________________ Dave 96 HB XE SAS'd D44 3-link on 35s http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2618002

01-03-2021, 10:08 PM	#3
alabama_lowlife Owner and Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: jack, alabama Age: 41 Posts: 10,323 Vehicle: 2012 370Z, 1970 Datsun 521, 1995 Nissan Hardbody x2 Thanks: 964 Thanked 2,049 Times in 1,687 Posts	I always use RTV, if for no other reason, to hold the gasket in place while I’m installing the parts. __________________

01-03-2021, 11:54 PM	#4
nunya Banned Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Southeast Posts: 975 Vehicle: nissan d21 93 kingcab 2wd Thanks: 289 Thanked 218 Times in 181 Posts	Experience has taught me that RTV is not a good idea in/on an automatic transmission. Years ago I used some to reseal a transmission pan. Months later it deteriorated and clogged my ATF fluid pump. That sucker would pump all the fluid out through the dipstick tube, but only when when I was wearing a nice shirt. When I took the pump loose and blew air through its ports, little chunks of RTV came out. Blow, rinse, repeat.

01-04-2021, 12:23 AM	#5
SBJ Total Buzzkill Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: OR Posts: 2,918 Vehicle: '90 D21 4cyl 5spd 2wd Thanks: 324 Thanked 517 Times in 460 Posts	I'm a big fan of #3 aviation sealant. Not just for coolant passages but also for sealing oil passages. Nothing against RTV, I just don't like cleaning it off mating surfaces. It also tends to keep rubber gaskets nice and pliable so they come off in one piece if you ever need take something apart again. Nunya, that same stuff works quite well for transmission pans. Just paint a thin coat of it onto the gasket. You don't need much. I don't know if it's technically resistant to ATF but I've never seen one leak afterwards. I did a transmission service on my daily shortly after I got it and the pan is still bone dry 5+ years later.

01-04-2021, 12:43 AM	#6
GM4WALLS Join Date: May 2020 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 86 Vehicle: 1995 D21 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	I pretty much only use it on intakes and thermostat housings/waternecks.

01-04-2021, 01:16 AM	#8
GM4WALLS Join Date: May 2020 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 86 Vehicle: 1995 D21 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	Both sides of the gasket?