Crankcase Gasket - Kawasaki FD590V - Sealer?

[TWG1572]

The plastic cam gear on my Kawasaki failed, so I'm in the middle of doing the steel cam gear replacement. I've been spending a lot of time cleaning parts and that's resulted in thinking. Thinking is not always a good thing, especially when it comes to overthinking.

There is a paper gasket between the two halves of the crankcase. In the past, I've never used any RTV or anything. Just cleaned the surfaces well, inserted the paper gasket, and rolled with it. But those were also Briggs flatheads, and were relatively easy to access and split if a leak were to develop. This engine is in a Deere F725, and is a bit more challenging to get in and out. So I'm trying to figure out the "best" method to ensure this gasket stays leak free.

I've read about people using gasket dressing or RTV on paper gaskets. There are also people who do nothing but use the paper gasket. I guess I'm curious to learn what your preferred method is on a small engine like this? I ask because it seems like there may be differences in this application, vs. the gasket/sealant threads that pop up in the automotive section.

 

[cpayne5]

I have a Husqvarna with a 27HP Briggs. It's essentially an Intek, which is known for sump gasket issues. I replaced the original gasket last year and sprayed it with High Tack.

The new gasket just failed 2 weeks ago and I put a new one in. I skipped the high tack this time. No idea if it will make a difference and if this gasket lasts much longer than the last, I couldn't say that installing it dry made a difference. I threw it on dry essentially out of laziness. The mower has 500 hours on it and I can pull the engine in 20 minutes (10 of that is waiting for the oil to drain ).

Not sure I would go the RTV route, though. Pretty sure I've read that the tolerances down there are pretty exact, and RTV vs OE paper gasket could affect that.

 

[Lyman]

On critical gaskets I always use Permatex High Tack Spray Gasket Adhesive Sealant. I have had very good results over the years.

 

[Kawiguy454]

+1 permatex And Put it on very thin it only needs to fill tiny imperfections not glue the engine together.

 

[TWG1572]

Thanks guys. So is this the stuff I want then? Is there a difference in performance between the spray version and the spreadable stuff?

Sealant

 

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted By: TWG1572
Thanks guys. So is this the stuff I want then? Is there a difference in performance between the spray version and the spreadable stuff?

Sealant


That's what I use.

 

[ironman_gq]

I've used high tack and if that fails I usually go for the non-hardening gasket sealer. It's gray and flows out, just a very thin layer on both case halves then bed the gasket in one side and assemble. I haven't had that fail yet but you have to be careful not to use too much or it squeezes out and makes a mess.

 

[TWG1572]

Thanks everyone. High tack it is. I've got it torn down and cleaned up, hoping to make some good progress this weekend on getting it put back together.