I will agree and disagree with you.  O-rings should be lightly lubricated with a light grease such as vasaline.  It is a common practice to to use a sealant on paper gaskets during installation.  The last gasket kit a bought even included a tube of green stuff just for that purpose.  Sloopy gasket installation aided by the use of large quantities of RTV's is a sure sign of trouble to come.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bradley Flubacher 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2001 10:49 AM
  Subject: Re: Any recommended sealant for o-rings?

  To the best of my knowledge, the ONLY things you ever need to put a sealant on are those specifically stated in bentley.

  My understanding is that when properly assembled, new o-rings and gaskets should properly seal without any "help".

  Looking for RTV or other sealants is a good way to determine if someone knew what they were doing when they rebuilt or fixed an engine.

  Hope this helps,
  Bradley Flubacher
  State College, PA
  '82 VW diesel westy
  '84 GL wasserboxer 

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of All of Us
    Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2001 10:26 AM
    To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
    Subject: Any recommended sealant for o-rings?

    Volks:

    Yesterday I started replacing my thermostat and performing a drain, flush and refill on the coolant system on Miss Blue, my '87 GL. In removing the top to the thermostst housing (TH), 2 of the bolts sheared off. I had to remove the lower part of the TH from the engine block in order to drill out the sheared bolts. There is a rubber o-ring gasket between the TH and the engine block that I will replace when I reinstall it. Should I put any sort of sealant on this o-ring when I reinstall the TH? Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA.

    Dan Weber
    Miss Blue - '87 GL Weekender.

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