Valve cover gasket- where do you use rtv (or do you)?

[sienayr]

I know, this has been covered, but I've seen varying opinions. I trust the regulars here who have been running these cars for years and been through a lot of trial and error, so just want to do a quick poll. What really piqued my interest is that I bought the gasket from the BMW dealer, and it doesn't have the bead of sealant around it like other aftermarket ones do (and the one I took off does). So just wondering what you all do in terms of rtv on vcg.

-none
-all the way around
-only around the corners/spark plugs

thanks.

[superj]

I never used rtv on bmw gaskets. I read a long time ago that you don't use it on bmws and I just believed it. I still don't.

now chevy, I know why chevy engines are that orange color when you open the hood. its not paint, its all the rtv to stop leaks

[richardodn]

I use a very thin film on the 4 plugs where they mate to the head. Then another dab right at the joint between the plug and the head. No sealer needed anywhere else. I also recommend using fresh nylock nuts and torqued so that they're tightened evenly.

[digger]

bit of permatex ultra black on the 4 plugs and the rest either dry or some permatex non hardening aviation cement stuff if your surface prep is a bit sketchy (tbh anything but dry makes it harder to clean the next time).

make sure the rocker shaft lock is correctly home or sometimes the cover can get hung up

[actletpone]

I prefer the valve cover gaskets with silicone bead, have had brand new ones without the silicone bead leak. If you can make sure your valve cover is straight to begin with. If the gasket you have leaks, at least it is easy to change. If you do put rtv on it from a tube, goes without saying but don't put too much, can't stand it when people put a big chunk on then tighten it down and it runs the risk of ending up where it is not meant to be.

[sienayr]

Thanks for the responses, just so I’m clear are you guys referring to the two rubber plugs on each end of the head, not ‘spark plugs’?

I did get four new ones of those too, pretty sure the ones in there are original.

[superj]

yes, they are talking about those