Silicone bulkheads - gasket or not

G1GY · #1 07-26-2006, 04:47 AM

If you use silicone with a rubber gasket it will just act as a lubricant to help squeeze the rubber out when tightened. Just use one or the other, but not the two together.

Also, if your going to use silicone. Let it cure a bit before tightening the fitting.

StirCrazy · #2 07-26-2006, 05:13 AM

I would put silicone on both sides and along the threads and then tighten it up, wouldn't worry about letting it cure unless you want to be able to take it apart again easy. if you let it cure that mean one side won't bond fully and thus the possibility of a leak at some point maybe.

Steve

mark · #3 07-26-2006, 05:26 AM

I put a thin film on both sides of the gasket, yes it probably helped in sealing but does seem to make the gasket want to slide out even when tightening slightly. Bit on the threads will help lock the nut.

albert_dao · #4 07-26-2006, 08:37 AM

Putting a thin seal of silicone on the gasket is just a set up for leaks down the line. The silicone will wear, as it is apt to do, forming channels between the glass and the gasket.

Veng68 · #5 07-26-2006, 10:12 AM

how about putting the gasket on normally and then siliconing around the bulkhead?

Cheers,
Aquaman

Quagmire · #6 07-26-2006, 01:16 PM

Ive never siliconed a bulkhead.But when I use it on an engine,I run a good sized constant bead.Tighten up the bolt untill its just pushing into the silicone,then let dry.After it dries I tighten up the bolt.This way the silicone works as a gasket.Dont see why it wouldn't work the same on a tank.So far on a tank Ive found the gaskets work well enough alone.