Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Applying Anaerobic Sealer

The anaerobic gasket eliminator hardens in the absence of air. This type of sealer is used where 2 rigid parts (such as castings) are assembled together. When 2 rigid parts are disassembled and no sealer or gasket is readily noticeable, the parts were probably assembled using a gasket eliminator.

Important: Do not use any other method or technique in order to remove the gasket material from a component.

Do not use the following items in order to clean the gasket surfaces:
^ Abrasive pads
^ Sand paper
^ Power tools

These methods of cleaning may damage the part.
Abrasive pads also produce a fine grit that the oil filter cannot remove from the oil. This grit is abrasive and may cause internal engine damage.
^ Remove all of the gasket material from the component using a plastic or a wood scraper. Use Loctite(R) brand gasket remover P/N 4MA or the equivalent. Follow all of the safety recommendations and the directions that are on the container.
^ Apply a continuous bead of the gasket eliminator to 1 flange. Clean and dry any surfaces that you will reseal.

Important: Anaerobic sealed joints that are partially torqued and allowed to cure more than 5 minutes may result in incorrect shimming and sealing of the joint.

^ Do not allow the sealer to enter the blind threaded holes. The sealer may cause the following conditions:
- Prevent you from properly seating the bolt
- Cause damage when you tighten the bolt
^ Spread the sealer evenly in order to get a uniform coating on the sealing surface.
^ Tighten the bolts to the specifications.
^ Remove the excess sealer from the outside of the joint.