What kind of thread sealant, if any, should be used when screwing parts back into the intake manifold such as a/c idle valve and cold start switch?

 

I don't use thread sealant/lock on bolts because you never know when you will need to get them out, and that stuff is tough.

Rob

 

I wasn't refering to the locking type of sealer, I am mostly concerned with vaccum leaks and water leaks(cold start switch).

Also, FSM says to use a sealer on gaskets to prevent leaks. What kind of sealer are they refering to?

 

probably rtv on the gaskets.

the blue threadlocker is fine to use on bolts you might have to remove at a future date. the red is the heavy duty (heat + lots of torque to remove) stuff.

 

Yeah actually in the rust belt areas the blue Loctite will make removal later easier not harder because it help keep the union from rusting together. The red Loctite can be harder though.

To answer your question there is a Permatex high temp thread sealer too. I got some at Napa once. I'd guess just some RTV would do the samething.

 

In the past I've used Permatex pipe thread sealant with Teflon.

It seals out water/antifreeze/oil. And when the time comes to remove the bolts, they back easily too.

Has a built in brush on the underside of the cap, if I remember correctly it comes in a 8oz. or a larger 16oz. container.

 

Anti seize is a good way to go, rather than thread locker. After all, the vehicle was put together without any threadlocker. I think the nickle based anti seize is the best, it is compatible with the O2 sensor.

 

And a lot cheaper too, I use anti seize all time.

 

i dont know about cheaper. the blue thread locker is pretty cheap (<$5). its the red stuff thats pricey

 

I am at the same point as the OP and just baught some Permatex thread sealant today. The auto parts store guy told me it would be better than RTV--not that I believe anything an auto parts store employee tells me, but I asked.

All the sensors on the intake have a heavy, and by now pretty hard sealant around the openings where they are mounted. I would have liked to use RTV because I already had it, I mean it would seal the sensor in place, right?

So I guess I am asking, isn't the thread sealant the best way to go now that I have it?

 

Thread sealant works fine for things you want to seal from air/vacuum, coolant or fuel leaks. I usually use the Teflon pipe thread sealant on air and coolant fittings and then use a gas pipe thread sealant (I use Rector Seal) on things into gasoline or oil.