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[raywilb]

in a conversation I was having with a guy who is a mechanic for kia. ( has worked at various workshops in his time ) & is a mot tester. he told me whenever he does a head gasket he would along with a gasket he would always use a sealant. is this a normal practise. ?

[Andy B]

....
 he would along with a gasket he would always use a sealant. is this a normal practise. ?

there are always those that know better than the gasket makers that say not to use instant gasket as well.

[serek]

in a conversation I was having with a guy who is a mechanic for kia. ( has worked at various workshops in his time ) & is a mot tester. he told me whenever he does a head gasket he would along with a gasket he would always use a sealant. is this a normal practise. ?

No not really . You should not use any sealant on hg

[flyer 0712]

Old days gone by maybe when gaskets were made of copper top and bottom with something else sandwich in between..but these days when every thing has to be spot on,,very even,,level,,,how would it be possible to ensure an even spread...no,as already said realy..just follow the instructions of the manufacturer as they know best,,,

[raywilb]

Old days gone by maybe when gaskets were made of copper top and bottom with something else sandwich in between..but these days when every thing has to be spot on,,very even,,level,,,how would it be possible to ensure an even spread...no,as already said realy..just follow the instructions of the manufacturer as they know best,,,

  exactly what I thought . I bet the guy has never done a hg for years.

[dbug]

Never use a sealant with a head gasket.

No wonder he's a mechanic for Kia 

[Bigron]

"flyer", even back in days of yore with those early head gaskets, sealant was inadvisable at best or damaging. The most anyone would recommend was a light smear of grease on both sides, but not even that is needed nowadays.
If in doubt, ask Serek.....

Ron.

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, comes from the same school of thought as doing a V6 cam belt using a bottle of tip-ex instead of the proper locking kit.

[flyer 0712]

Even back in the days although inadvisable..many use to do it,,also to smear a bit on the rubber o rings in some of the heads..as a major car parts supplier we sold loads of the stuff to put on the head gaskets and tell them as we would they always new best..just the same as today..there are always those who think they know best.

[Kevin Wood]

there are always those who think they know best.

Yep. It's odd that most of them are working in back street garages and not developing engines for multinational car manufacturers.