Valve cover and cylinder head sealant
Content
valve cover sealant works at high temperatures, as well as in contact with oil. Therefore, the choice of one or another means should be based on the fact that the sealant should not lose its operational properties in difficult conditions.
There are four basic types of sealants - aerobic, hardening, soft and special. The latter type is best suited as a valve cover sealant. As for the color, in most cases this is just a marketing ploy, since different manufacturers of products with similar characteristics may have similar colors, while differing in operation.
sealant requirements.
When choosing one or another tool, first of all, you need to pay attention to its performance characteristics. As mentioned above, first of all, you need to make a choice of sealant, able to work in high temperature conditions... Therefore, the higher the temperature it can withstand, the better. This is the most important condition!
The second important factor is resistance to various aggressive chemical compounds (engine and transmission oils, solvents, brake fluid, antifreeze and other process fluids).
The third factor is resistance to mechanical stress and vibration... If this requirement is not met, then the sealant will simply crumble over time and spill out from the place where it was originally laid.
The fourth factor is ease of use. First of all, it concerns packaging. It should be convenient for the car owner to apply the product on the work surface. That is, it is worth buying small tubes or sprays. The latter option is more convenient, and is usually considered professional, as it is used by service station workers.
If you do not plan to use it anywhere other than the valve cover, then you should not buy a large volume package for you (most sealants have a shelf life of 24 months, and a storage temperature of +5 ° C to + 25 ° C, although this information needs to be clarified in specific tool instructions).
When using such tools, you need to remember about the assembly technology. The fact is that many automakers lay such sealing agents together with the cover gasket. However, when disassembling an internal combustion engine (for example, its overhaul), a car enthusiast or craftsmen at a service station may not reapply the sealant, which will lead to oil leakage. Another possible reason for this is a mismatch in the tightening torque of the mounting bolts.
Overview of popular sealants
A review of valve cover sealants will help car owners decide on the choice of a particular brand, since there are currently a lot of such products in stores and car markets. And only reviews after real use can fully answer which sealant is better. Excessive care when choosing will help protect yourself from buying counterfeit goods.
Black Heat Resistant DoneDeal
This is one of the highest quality sealants made in the USA. It is calculated on work in the range of temperatures from -70 °C to +345 °C. In addition to the valve cover, the product can also be used when installing the engine and transmission oil pan, intake manifold, water pump, thermostat housing, engine covers. It has low volatility, so it can be used in ICEs with oxygen sensors. The composition of the sealant is resistant to oil, water, antifreeze, lubricants, including motor and transmission oils.
Sealant withstands shock loads, vibration and temperature changes. At high temperatures, it does not lose its operational properties and does not crumble. The product can be applied to already installed gaskets in order to prolong their life and improve heat resistance. Does not lead to corrosion on the metal surfaces of internal combustion engine elements.
The product code is DD6712. Packing volume — 85 grams. Its price as of the end of 2021 is 450 rubles.
APRIL 11-AB
A good sealant, popular because of its low price and decent performance. It can also be used when installing various other gaskets on the vehicle. Therefore, this tool will certainly come in handy for you in the future when repairing a car.
On the left is the original ABRO packaging, and on the right is a fake one.
Features and Specifications:
- maximum use temperature - + 343 ° С;
- has a chemically stable composition that is not affected by oils, fuels - antifreeze, water and other process fluids used in the car;
- excellent resistance to mechanical stress (serious loads, vibrations, shifts);
- Supplied in a tube with a special “spout” that allows you to apply sealant to the surface in a thin layer.
Pay attention! Currently, a large number of counterfeit products are sold in car markets and stores. namely, ABRO RED, which is produced in China, is essentially an analogue of a sealant with much worse performance characteristics. Look at the pictures below so that in the future you can distinguish the original packaging from the counterfeit. Sold in a tube weighing 85 grams, the price of which is about 350 rubles as of the end of 2021.
Victor Reinz
In this case, we are talking about a sealant called REINZOPLAST, which, unlike the silicone REINZOSIL, is not gray, but blue. It has similar performance characteristics - stable chemical composition (does not react with oils, fuels, water, aggressive chemicals). The temperature operating range of the sealant is from -50°С to +250°С. A short-term increase in temperature up to +300°C is allowed while maintaining performance. An additional advantage is that the dried composition is easy to dismantle from the surface - it leaves practically no traces on it. It is a universal sealant for gaskets. Catalog number for ordering 100 gr. tube - 702457120. The average price is about 480 rubles.
The advantage of Victor Reinz brand sealants is the fact that they dry quickly. You will find the exact operating instructions on the package, however, in most cases, the algorithm of use will be as follows: apply sealant to the work surface, wait 10 ... 15 minutes, install the gasket. And unlike other ICE sealants, a car can be started as early as 30 minutes after this (although it is better to wait also for additional time, if any).
A race
Sealants of this brand are produced by Elring. Popular products of this brand are the following products - Race HT и Dirko-S Profi Press HT. They have similar characteristics, both among themselves and in relation to the sealants described above. namely, they are resistant to the listed process fluids (water, oils, fuel, antifreeze, and so on), they have proven themselves well under conditions of high mechanical loads and vibration. Temperature operating range Race HT (a tube weighing 70 grams has a code 705.705 and a price of 600 rubles as of the end of 2021) is from -50°С to +250°С. A short-term increase in temperature up to +300°C is allowed while maintaining performance. Temperature operating range Dirko-S Profi Press HT ranges from -50°С to +220°С (a tube weighing 200 grams has a code 129.400 and a price of 1600 rubles for the same period). a short-term increase in temperature up to +300°C is also allowed.
Varieties of sealant TM Dirko
there is also a composition Race Spezial-Silikon (tube of 70 grams has code 030.790), which is specially designed for sealing oil pans and crankcase covers. It is especially advisable to use it on surfaces that are subject to deformation during operation. Its operating temperature range is from -50°С to +180°С.
As for installation, after applying the product to the surface, you need to wait 5 ... 10 minutes. Please note that the time should not exceed 10 minutes, since the protective film is formed precisely during the specified time period. After that, you can apply the gasket to the sealant.
Permatex Anaerobic Gasket Maker
Permatex Anaerobic Sealant is a thick compound that quickly seals to the aluminum surface when cured. The result is a strong yet flexible joint that is resistant to vibration, mechanical stress, aggressive process fluids, and temperature extremes. It is sold in a 50 ml tube, the cost is about 1100-1200 rubles as of the end of 2021.
Other popular brands
Currently, the market for sealants, including high-temperature sealants, is very saturated. At the same time, you need to understand that the range of different brands in the corners of our country is different. This is primarily due to logistics, as well as the presence in a particular region of its own production facilities. However, the following sealants are also popular among domestic motorists:
- CYCLO HI-Temp C-952 (weight of the tube - 85 grams). This is a red silicone machine sealant. It is rarely found on sale, but it is considered one of the best similar compositions.
- Kuril. also a very popular series of sealants from the Elring company mentioned above. The first brand is Curil K2. Temperature range from -40°С to +200°С. The second one is Curil T. The temperature range is from -40°С to +250°С. Both sealants have a wide range of applications, including their use on the engine crankcase. Both sealants are sold in a 75 gram dispenser tube. Curil K2 has the code 532215 and costs 600 rubles. Curil T (article 471170) costs about 560 rubles as of the end of 2021.
- MANNOL 9914 Gasket Maker RED. It is a one-component silicone sealant with an operating temperature range of -50°C to +300°C. Very resistant to high temperatures, as well as fuel, oil and various process fluids. Sealant must be applied to a degreased surface! Full drying time - 24 hours. The price of a tube weighing 85 grams is 190 rubles.
All sealants listed in this section are resistant to fuels, oils, hot and cold water, weak solutions of acids and alkalis. Therefore, they can be used as a valve cover sealant. Since the winter of 2017/2018, as of the end of 2021, the cost of these funds has increased by an average of 35%.
The nuances of using sealant for valve covers
any of the listed sealants has its own characteristics. Accordingly, you will find accurate information on their use only in the instructions attached to the tool. However, in most cases there are a number of general rules and just useful tips that should be followed. namely:
Overview of Popular Machine High Temperature Sealants
- The sealant is fully vulcanized after only a few hours.. You will find exact information in the instructions or on the packaging. Accordingly, after applying it, the car cannot be used, and even just start the internal combustion engine at idle until the composition is completely dry. Otherwise, the sealant will not perform the tasks assigned to it.
- Before applying the product, work surfaces it is necessary not only to degrease, but also to clean from dirt and other small elements... Various solvents (not white spirit) can be used for degreasing. And it is better to clean it with a metal brush or sandpaper (depending on the degree of pollution and the elements to be cleaned). The main thing is not to overdo it.
- For reassembly, the bolts it is advisable to tighten with a torque wrench, observing a certain sequenceprovided by the manufacturer. Moreover, this procedure is performed in two stages - preliminary tightening, and then complete.
- The amount of sealant should be medium. If there is a lot of it, then when tightened, it can get into the internal combustion engine, if it is small, then the efficiency of its use is reduced to zero. also do not cover the entire surface of the gasket sealant!
- Sealant must be laid in the groove of the cover and wait about 10 minutes, and only after that you can install the gasket. This procedure provides greater comfort and effectiveness of protection.
- If you are using a non-original gasket, then it is highly advisable to use a sealant. (although not necessary), since its geometric dimensions and shape may differ. And even a slight deviation will lead to depressurization of the system.
Draw your own conclusions..
It is up to any motorist to decide whether or not to use a sealant. However if you are using a non-original gasket, or a leak appeared from under it - you can use a sealant. However, it must be remembered that if the gasket is completely out of order, then using sealant alone may not be enough. But for prevention, it is still possible to lay a sealant when replacing the gasket (remember the dosage!).
As for the choice of one or another sealant, it is necessary to proceed from its performance characteristics. You can find out about them in the corresponding instructions. These data are written either on the body of the sealant packaging or in the separately attached documentation. If you buy a product through an online store, then usually, such information is duplicated in the catalog. also, the choice must be made on the basis of price, volume of packaging and ease of use.
