Permatex Copper Spray-A-Gasket Question-Concern

[ericms77]

Hello BITOG Friends!

This weekend I decided to tackle the task of replacing the valve cover gasket on my 04 BMW. Not having done much engine work in my past (but thoroughly enjoy it), I researched the heck out of the job and tried my very best to make sure I knew what I was doing.

Long story short, a helpful service advisor gave me some advice on dong the job. One piece of advice he gave was to buy spray adhesive to adhere the rubber gasket to the valve cover, making it easier to seat properly on the crankcase. While at the auto parts store, I asked for spray adhesive. The guy handed me Permatex Copper Spray-A-Gasket sealer instead and said that would be fine.

So.....the job is done, but after the fact I learned that I used a gasket sealer, not an adhesive. Apparently the sealer is meant to fill gasket imperfections and reduce heat on head gaskets primarily. I only sprayed on the top of the valve cover gasket where it meets the valve cover. I also sprayed the tops of the 6 spark plug gaskets where they meet the valve cover.

My concern now is will the Copper Spray-A-Gasket break down my rubber gasket.......and......what happens if any of the gasket sealer mixes with my oil (from over-spray on the top of the valve cover and any sealer the seeped out of the interior valve cover cracks after I tightened it down). Will the sealer gum up any engine parts? Will it dissipate in the oil?

Any advice you can offer if greatly appreciated. I'm concerned about the longevity of my engine now after using this stuff.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Kuato]

IMO as long as you minimized overspray, you used a gasket sealer on a gasket so shouldn't need to worry.

 

[Quest]

2 things to observe:

(1) the rubber valve cover gasket is, in fact, synthetic rubber that resists most kinds of chemical attacks, and is made of materials that will take on ordinary RTV silicone sealent (or spray a gasket or similar).

(2) if the spray-a-gasket you bought is listed suitable for use with motor oil and such, then you have no worries on that anymore.

bottomline: no reliability/longevity issues that I can see from your application.

Q.

 

[mechtech2]

You used the wrong product for rubber type gaskets.

The gaskets would have worked dry, so they may work OK now . Time will tell.
One thing for sure - it will be much a\harder to clean off next time!