Hi all, when looking in my service manual it says to use a sealant on the bolt used to drain coolant from the block.
Do they mean an RTV sealant or what kind?
Thanks
Do they mean an RTV sealant or what kind?
Thanks
What sealant when they say it's for a bolt?
- Thread starter aman74
- Start date
- Status
teflon sealant "paste"
Thanks, love your sig.
Is this necessary to use? I know I'd do it if I do the work myself, but I doubt a lot of shops do.
Is this necessary to use? I know I'd do it if I do the work myself, but I doubt a lot of shops do.
Just like drain bolt gasket (crushable), just because many people don't use it (if the factory design comes with it, then follow the rules and use it) doesn't mean that you should follow the crowd.
Whenever in-doubt, follow the factory official service manual (and they typically come with instructions RE: sealant or types of sealing method used)
Q.
Whenever in-doubt, follow the factory official service manual (and they typically come with instructions RE: sealant or types of sealing method used)
Q.
Kestas
Staff member
If it's a pipe thread I use teflon tape.
Originally Posted By: Quest
Just like drain bolt gasket (crushable), just because many people don't use it (if the factory design comes with it, then follow the rules and use it) doesn't mean that you should follow the crowd.
Whenever in-doubt, follow the factory official service manual (and they typically come with instructions RE: sealant or types of sealing method used)
Q.
That's what I was saying. I like to do things the right way, but if I pay someone to do it they may not. Flush and fills are a real pain and usually worth paying for. If I wasn't trying to get all the fluid out I'd just drain the radiator.
The service manual doesn't give any detail, just mentions the sealant.
Just like drain bolt gasket (crushable), just because many people don't use it (if the factory design comes with it, then follow the rules and use it) doesn't mean that you should follow the crowd.
Whenever in-doubt, follow the factory official service manual (and they typically come with instructions RE: sealant or types of sealing method used)
Q.
That's what I was saying. I like to do things the right way, but if I pay someone to do it they may not. Flush and fills are a real pain and usually worth paying for. If I wasn't trying to get all the fluid out I'd just drain the radiator.
The service manual doesn't give any detail, just mentions the sealant.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
If it's a pipe thread I use teflon tape.
+1
If it's a pipe thread I use teflon tape.
+1
Permatex #2 is what I'd use for that or Chevy head bolts that go into water. Water pump bolts, too.
But for one bolt that drains the fluid, a plumber's teflon paste is good. It will seal and take the heat.
But for one bolt that drains the fluid, a plumber's teflon paste is good. It will seal and take the heat.
If it is a pipe plug threads then a lot of things would work.
Teflon tape or paste, RTV silicone, blue thread lock etc. A cooling system is a very low pressure system. It does not take much to seal it.
Teflon tape or paste, RTV silicone, blue thread lock etc. A cooling system is a very low pressure system. It does not take much to seal it.
From my experience, using thread sealant on tapered pipe threads, the sealant gets pushed up the threads as the plug is being threaded in; for this reason, I use Teflon tape. For bolts with straight threads going into a water gallery, like a water pump mounting bolt, I use Permatex 2B.
The excess thread sealant gets pushed out, the gaps between the threads will still have the sealant in them. As you tighten further the gaps decrease and the sealant totally fills up the gaps. Thread sealants have always worked well for me.
Is it a bolt, or a pipe plug? Pipe plugs often have square heads, and you can see the threads taper. I like Permatex Thread Sealant, the white stuff in the little tube, PX #59214 for pipe thread. Anything will seal water.
I am not a fan of RTV for bolt sealing.
It is then sealed, like in a tube, and does not cure right.
Maybe if you had a week to let it cure, but even then it would be chancy.
It is then sealed, like in a tube, and does not cure right.
Maybe if you had a week to let it cure, but even then it would be chancy.
Another vote for Permatex 2b. It will also prevent the electrolytic bond you get when running steel through an aluminum part into a water jacket. I would not use any sort of thread locker. You want something that won't harden.
If it is a drain/fill plug try white loctite hydraulic sealer.
If that is the stuff they call Pipe-X or something, I have had good luck with it to. I don't know if oil is harder to seal than other stuff, or if you can see the slightest leak.
I once managed a small factory where we bought diester oils by the tank truck. I learned a lot about avoiding leaks.
I once managed a small factory where we bought diester oils by the tank truck. I learned a lot about avoiding leaks.
- Status
