Valve cover gaskets leaking...again! Preferred sealant to use for the repair??

[Patrick Bateman]

Greetings... What is your preferred gasket sealant used in this repair. Didnt see any comments on this in past threads. Had mine done twice now by same shop,and want to go a different direction. My spark plugs have some oil in them,and im seeping from back of cover(s).

Thanks... PB.

[B6JoeS4]

can you tell where they are leaking from? a lot of times they will leak from the half moon seals towards the back of the motor. if thats the case, you can use some rtv sealant to stop the leaking.

when the shop did the gaskets, did they install new spark plug seals too?

[Patrick Bateman]

Thanks Joe... I am not certain if they used the spark plug gaskets as the time lapse between leaks was around 2000 miles when i smelt oil burning. And yes to the half moon seal area for the origination of the leak... but these were installed last time. The first time they installed complete new gaskets,they used aftermarket kit? I wasent really in favor of that. Back to the rtv sealant used.... Any brand will do, or is there a preferred brand amoungst installers/shops?

PB.

[cam]

Go to a honda dealership n get some honda bond. Better than black rtv imho

[gotboost]

Ive always used black RTV, never had an issue!

[joeycuccaro]

You really shouldn't need sealant other than on the half moon seals. If all of the torx bolts are tightened down properly then the gaskets creates a very good seal. The is a possibility that your valve covers are warped, which are allowing oil to seep through.

Aftermarket brand gaskets are okay as long as they are the Victor Reinz set.

Oil on plug, did they change the spark plug seals too?

[SquiddyB6S4]

Permatex Ultra Gray is my choice, but Ultra Black is fine, too. I think its rated service temp is 500*F. I used to use that, but then I discovered that the gray has a service temp of 625*F. Why not, right? It's still epically cheaper than what any of the dealerships sell, and it works great.

I will say that I have had cars in the past that simply refused to stop minor valve cover leaks, for one reason or another, and that I have taken to giving a very light coating to the entire gasket and all other parts before installing nowadays. It's a BITCH to remove it all, if and when the time comes, but I've not had one leak since I started doing that (as expected). My buddy and I are going to tackle a maintenance day in a couple weeks, and since he's an Audi tech, I'll let him lead the way on that. If no goo on the gasket works, I lose. If it leaks anywhere, I'll just say "haha" and go back, clean 'em off, and give 'em a light coating.

[B6JoeS4]

also, you should find out if the shop tightened down the bolts in a criss-cross pattern. if they didnt, that would cause them to leak

[JimmyBones]

also, you should find out if the shop tightened down the bolts in a criss-cross pattern. if they didnt, that would cause them to leak

I would go with this.

Warranty doesn't pay for gaskets unless they are leaking usually and valve covers fall under that. So we have to pull valve covers off under warranty and not replace the gaskets but if the bolts are tightened the correct way and to spec then they don't leak. These should be tightened in the middle and working out with criss crossing sides to ten newton-meters. Try tightening the valve covers again and clean off the area to see if they still are leaking.

[halik]

I've got a gasket kit for sale $18 :)

[S4Bennett]

I like Hondabond High-Temp because I don't like a lot of tack in a sealant. It's easy to apply and easy to mostly remove. There's also a black RTV sealant that I use when I don't want to pay $11 for a tube of Hondabond HT, but I can't remember the brand or market name.

I didn't use any sealant when I replaced the valve cover gaskets. No leaks....I think. OEM Audi gaskets; replaced everything but the spark plug gaskets.

[dparm]

Another vote for Hondabond, though I do agree with Joey on this ** the stuff isn't really needed assuming everything is in-spec.

[SoCalS4Avant]

You really shouldn't need sealant other than on the half moon seals. If all of the torx bolts are tightened down properly then the gaskets creates a very good seal. The is a possibility that your valve covers are warped, which are allowing oil to seep through.

Aftermarket brand gaskets are okay as long as they are the Victor Reinz set.

Oil on plug, did they change the spark plug seals too?

Funny you mention warped valve covers. There's been a number of people I've spoken with that have had dealer techs and indy mechanics claim that the actual covers are the problem, and unless they're replaced (at a relatively expensive price), then the problem will keep happening.

Anyone else have this issue? Hear this? How many people have replaced the covers?

[joeycuccaro]

Dealers are replacing warped covers for individuals who are under warranty. They are putting "plastic" ones on now instead of metal. I have seen / heard a handful of cases.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Dealers are replacing warped covers for individuals who are under warranty. They are putting "plastic" ones on now instead of metal. I have seen / heard a handful of cases.

Heard about the plastic aspect of things as well. That doesn't seem right.

[Patrick Bateman]

390 each at genuine audi... yikes!