Gaskets for my dirtbike are too hard for me to find and I want to get on the trail now! Can I use RTV?

Question

I found gaskets for my bike but they're so expensive. Also, I really want to get back on the trails asap, meaning I don't want to wait a week for them to ship me a gasket set. Can I just use an RTV High temp gasket sealant on my clutch cover or is that a bad idea? I used that sealant on my truck's intake manifold and it sealed fine, and from what I understand many people do this. I was just wondering if the same could apply for my two stroke engine.

Answer 1

NO! Do not just use sealant instead of a gasket. Got to any auto parts store and purchase some "gasket paper". Then make your own gasket.
Lay the paper flat on a table with the engine cover on top of it.
Hit the cover with a soft hammer.
It will make an indent in the paper.
Trace around the outside of the cover.
Draw a mark inside of each bolt hole.
Cut out the gasket and make holes with a hole punch (school supply store).

Answer 2

i agree with both of the above answers. RTV can be used as a stand alone sealant (Sportster case halves are mated using sealant without a gasket) , but it is not an easy medium to use and it is VERY annoying to tear down a motor after discovering a leak while you are underway.

if you are careful cutting the generic gasket material correctly you will not need to purchase the kit from your dealer.

your choice.

Answer 3

Better to do it right than to take a shortcut. Follow guardrail jim's advice. You'll find that not only can it be fun to do it yourself, the gaskets won't cost as much as the factory ones, or the RTV. If you didn't use the high temp stuff on your intake, you got lucky.

Answer 4

It's OK if you do it right. Most people don't. You have to use a thin layer, assemble it before it skins over And tighten everything down in the right pattern to get a good seal.. If you glop it on you'll get globs of it in everything and it will never cure right.