Engine Gasket Set

When somebody mentions the words engine gasket, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the cylinder head gasket. But there are actually several types of gaskets used in the engine, and each one is just as essential as the head gasket in ensuring the engine works as it should. And just like the head gasket, the other engine gaskets are designed to be durable and last as long as the engine itself. However, durable is not the same as invulnerable; engine gaskets can be compromised by overheating, an improperly installed engine component, and other factors.

Once any of the gaskets in your engine breaks, they must be replaced immediately to prevent overheating and further damage to your engine. Here are some tips on finding replacement engine gaskets for your car:

Composite vs. silicone?

Engine gaskets sold in the market today are made up of either of the following: composite materials or silicone:

• Composite gaskets: These gaskets are a combination of cork, rubber, paper, and felt and are designed and cut to match the specific dimensions of the engine component they're meant to seal. Because of this, composite gaskets are known for their effective sealing properties. However, these gaskets must be used in tandem with gasket sealant or adhesive in order to seal properly.
• Silicone gaskets: Unlike composite gaskets that come pre-cut, silicone gaskets are made from a blended silicone compound that is applied directly onto the mating engine components. Silicone is much more resistant to acids, solvents, oils, water, and other chemicals and is non-toxic. However, because they are still uncured when applied silicone gaskets must be allowed to cure for at least an hour.

Is it the right fit?

If you opted for a pre-cut composite gasket, make sure that the gasket fits the engine component perfectly. An ill-fitting gasket will not guarantee a perfect seal and will only do more harm than good for your engine. So before you buy a gasket, make sure that it matches the specifications of your car engine.

Engine gaskets serve a variety of purposes: being a buffer between the engine block and sensitive engine components, controlling air and fluid pressure, and preventing oil and gas leaks are just some of them. So if any of the gaskets in your car breaks, it has to be replaced immediately to prevent other more serious engine problems from happening.

Difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult

Tools needed:

• Torque wrench
• Straightedge
• Chemical gasket remover
• Putty knife
• Brake cleaner spray

Step 1: Open the hood of your car and disconnect all the lines, hoses and bolts that are connected to the gasket you want to replace. For example, if you want to replace the intake manifold gasket, remove all the connections to the intake manifold.

Step 2: Once all of the connections to the gasket have been removed, take out the gasket itself.

Step 3: Clean the surfaces on the engine that will come in contact with the new gasket with a chemical gasket remover. Use the putty knife and brake cleaner to carefully remove any oil residue and buildup.

Step 4: Apply sealant on the new gasket's underside and put the gasket in place on the engine. If the gasket is made of silicone, take 1/8th of the material and apply it to the engine surface including the bolt holes.

Step 5: Replace all the engine components you removed. Do do this as quickly as possible especially if you used a silicone gasket. For composite gaskets, apply another layer of sealant to the top side of the gasket before attaching it to the engine component.

Step 6: Reattach and tighten the bolts that connect the engine part to the engine block. Replace the bolts in an X pattern to ensure the seal is even. For composite gaskets, we recommend applying Loctite or a similar threadlocker to the bolts first and tightening them to the torque specified for the model and engine part. If you used a silicone gasket, leave the gasket to vulcanize for an hour and re-tighten the bolts to their specified torque.

Note: If the gasket is made of silicone material that vulcanizes at room temperature, there is no need to tighten the bolts again.

Tips:

• Make sure that the ignition is off and the engine completely cooled before you begin installation
• Check for and replace any bolts and engine parts whose surfaces are dented, creased or warped. Even a brand-new gasket will not work properly if the bolts and engine surfaces are compromised