I recommend you only ever use gasket sealant strictly where necessary. Everyone starting out uses far too much (me included). What you should remember is excessive sealant at best causes more cleanup work next time you open up rhe joint and at worst squeezes out of the joint and blocks a critical oilway. Normally sealant should only be where the manufacturer specifies it (such as ungasketted joins) and care should be taken to use the right type.

The only other time I use sealant is to repair a damaged gasket or gasket surface- and then sparingly. Most "paper" gaskets work very well as supplied and the only coating you need apply is the merest smear of grease or oil on one or both sides to help them come apart in the future. Treated like this gaskets such as those under clutch covers and the like will withstand multiple removals without damage or leaking.

Regarding after market gaskets I've used them dozens of times and never had any problems. As wll as saving money their advantage is you don't have tyo go into the dealers list everything out only to find out later you've forgotten one item or alternatively they can supply everything except the critical one. Sure they often come with lots of extra unidentified O rings as they seek to cover a wide range of models - but I think of this as a benefit; just gather them up throw them in a jar you never know when one of them will get you out of trouble.

__________________
Martin

finally back on the road again


http://awayonmybike.blogspot.com/