Gasket sealer on the heads/intake?

NOTAPROMIKE

MEMBER
2002 PONTIAC AZTEK
3.4L
V6
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

I am attempting my first major repair on a friends vehicle, that is to replace a blown head gasket on a 2002 Pontiac Aztek 3.4 engine and I am getting lots of conflicting advice from well meaning friends who are also backyard mechanics as I am My question is what is the best way to insure the heads and intake manifold get the proper seal. One says use copper coat on both sides of all gaskets. Another says use nothing. Another says throw away the end gaskets for the intake manifold and use black RTV. Please advise. Thanks

1 Reply

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

I wouldn't put anything on the gasket surface but be sure to send the heads to a machine shop for testing and resurfacing. You also MUST replace all the head bolts. They are stretch type bolts and are only one time use.

As for the intake gasket, if it came with end seals, use them but most gasket sets don't use them any more and use RTV on the end strips. Be very careful setting the manifold in place. You only get one shot to come straight down with it and not move it around once it hits the RTV.

Side note --- Make sure you don't mix up the push rods. They are different lengths.