Super glue to hold valve cover gasket?

[KevinMalone]

I've been doing some research in preparation for a valve cover gasket job on a BMW E90. One of the many challenges of this job is ensuring the gasket stays in the valve cover during installation as there is very limited clearance/access. I've seen Permatex Ultra Grey being used to hold the gasket in place with limited success. Permatex also sells a specific gasket adhesive for this purpose. However, I came across a video where they use all purpose Krazy Glue (ie >90% ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate) to hold the gasket in:


at 32:25

Any potential compatibility issues? The gasket is an Elring 584.950 and is apparently made of ACM or polyacrylate while the valve cover is plastic.

 

[GMBoy]

No need for adhesive.

I have done several of these and never any issues with the gaskets falling out of the cover - they are secured pretty well in there. The key is to make as much room as you can to set the cover down as vertically as possible. When you try to snake it thru obstacles is where you can snag the gasket and unseat it. I remove as much as possible to allow an easy and vertical drop down of the cover. You will need to open the fuse box and disconnect connections to the harnesses that run from the passenger side to the driver side (they go thru that plastic conduit)- it's when people try to snake the cover under this harness that can cause trouble because your hitting the valvetrain due to low clearance and that pulls the gasket off. So again - clear as much out of the way to allow you to set the cover straight down and no worries of gaskets coming loose. I will add that the cover does not require much torque so be easy and follow the right sequence of tightening - don't just go around the cover sequentially.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Personally I would reach out to Elring

Perhaps use a small mirror on a stick to test fit.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-mirror-with-flexible-shaft-97217.html

 

[Leo99]

I used this stuff in the past in other vehicles.

https://www.permatex.com/products/g...rmatex-high-tack-spray-a-gasket-sealant-6-oz/

 

[SC Maintenance]

I used this stuff in the past in other vehicles.

https://www.permatex.com/products/g...rmatex-high-tack-spray-a-gasket-sealant-6-oz/

Me too. Worked good.

 

[KrisZ]

If you just want to hold the gasket in place for installation, just use some grease on it and then install into the groove.

If you want to actually make sure certain areas are sealed properly, like where two cases meet etc, then use RTV in in those places

Stay away from glue on gaskets.

 

[Chris142]

Its usually the plastic cover that warps. A new gasket wont fix it.

 

[edyvw]

I didn’t use anything. Once I managed to squeeze cover in (by far the worst part of the job) i went around with fingers to make sure that it is in place. That is it. I was toying with idea just to put few drops in few spots, but didn’t.

 

[JMJNet]

I have only done VCG in Toyota.
The gasket usually holds very well in the groove without drooping down.
Put a dab of sealant where there is a break or a bend but that is on the flat surface engine side.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Hylomar. Sticky, and acts as sealant on its own accord.

Doesn't harden, and won't need to be scraped off next time. Solvent cleanup.

 

[BMW Dom]

Once it’s in grooves, it stays in basically

Before tightening, double check

 

[AussieLeadfoot]

I am having difficulty in getting PRECISE answers from retailers or manufacturers/distributors "technical departments".

What I must know 100% is an answer to my question:

Is this product GUARANTEED to be 100% OXYGEN SENSOR SAFE?

In particular the product:

https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-high-tack-gasket-sealant-4-oz/

It seems to be of a similar formulation to the product in post #7.

For my valve cover gasket replacement, Mitsubishi 6G75 engine, I do not want to use any RTV/SILASTIC.

Most silastics these days are marked "sensor safe", but as said, I do not want to use these.

I have seen vague references to the product I have nominated as being sensor safe, but I can never see an image of the product showing in print the terms "sensor safe".

Thanks.

 

[demarpaint]

I used this stuff in the past in other vehicles.

https://www.permatex.com/products/g...rmatex-high-tack-spray-a-gasket-sealant-6-oz/

That product has never let me down, in spray or brush on liquid form.

 

[AussieLeadfoot]

That product has never let me down, in spray or brush on liquid form.

My understanding is that it is a good product.
Do you have a can handy with you?
Are you able to see "sensor safe" printed on the label?
If so, can you upload an image of that label?
Permatex distributors only show the front of the product, not the back or sides.
Much appreciated.

 

[demarpaint]

My understanding is that it is a good product.
Do you have a can handy with you?
Are you able to see "sensor safe" printed on the label?
If so, can you upload an image of that label?
Permatex distributors only show the front of the product, not the back or sides.
Much appreciated.

I'll check for you as soon as my wife wakes up. The noise of the garage door going up will wake her up, and I'll be starting the day on the wrong foot. LOL The master bedroom is a dormer over the garage.

 

[demarpaint]

Here are the pictures, hard to read unfortunately. I don't see any thing about sensors but I recall inquiring a long time ago was was told it was safe. I'd give them a shout to be certain, they are good at answering product related questions. HTH

 

[Astro14]

I am having difficulty in getting PRECISE answers from retailers or manufacturers/distributors "technical departments".

What I must know 100% is an answer to my question:

Is this product GUARANTEED to be 100% OXYGEN SENSOR SAFE?

In particular the product:

https://www.permatex.com/products/gasketing/gasket-sealants/permatex-high-tack-gasket-sealant-4-oz/

It seems to be of a similar formulation to the product in post #7.

For my valve cover gasket replacement, Mitsubishi 6G75 engine, I do not want to use any RTV/SILASTIC.

Most silastics these days are marked "sensor safe", but as said, I do not want to use these.

I have seen vague references to the product I have nominated as being sensor safe, but I can never see an image of the product showing in print the terms "sensor safe".

Thanks.

100% GUARANTEED - is a bit over the top.

The manufacturer says it is sensor safe. Is that enough? They don’t say it in all caps…

https://www.permatex.com/products/g...rmatex-high-tack-spray-a-gasket-sealant-6-oz/

Interestingly- the aerosol specifically states sensor safe, while the brush on does not explicitly say that.

That said, the only time that I worry about “sensor safe” is on intake manifolds, or things that are in the intake tract, and allow off-gassing to go through the combustion chamber.

I wouldn’t worry about a valve cover gasket at all.

 

[Nukeman7]

Hylomar. Sticky, and acts as sealant on its own accord.

Doesn't harden, and won't need to be scraped off next time. Solvent cleanup.

^^^ Use Hylomar Blue as suggested above. It is oxygen sensor safe as clearly stated on the Valco Cincinnati webpage.

Sensor Safe Hylomar Blue

 

[demarpaint]

^^^ Use Hylomar Blue as suggested above. It is oxygen sensor safe as clearly stated on the Valco Cincinnati webpage.

Sensor Safe Hylomar Blue

Hylomar Blue is another good product. As mentioned I would have no worries at all using the Permatex products I posted on a VC gasket.

 

[AussieLeadfoot]

100% GUARANTEED - is a bit over the top.

The manufacturer says it is sensor safe. Is that enough? They don’t say it in all caps…

https://www.permatex.com/products/g...rmatex-high-tack-spray-a-gasket-sealant-6-oz/

Interestingly- the aerosol specifically states sensor safe, while the brush on does not explicitly say that.

That said, the only time that I worry about “sensor safe” is on intake manifolds, or things that are in the intake tract, and allow off-gassing to go through the combustion chamber.

I wouldn’t worry about a valve cover gasket at all.

Worrying about having to replace fouled spark plugs on the F&R bank of a transverse V6, AND the oxygen sensor is not "over the top".
Some accurate research in choosing a suitable product is wise, IMO.
I am sure most would agree, especially when the PCV can collect evaporating vapours from inside the valve covers which can be transferred downstream to the oxygen sensor.