I used Permatex Copper spray gasket on my head gasket

[bertcarrier]

1991 Jetta Eco-diesel, 3 hole gasket, new bolts, proper torque sequence, but I sprayed both sides of the gasket with copper permatex. It seems to work just fine, but I know some may have some strong opinions about this, what do you guys think?

Let the beatings begin!

[coke]

Volkswagen didn't spray them with Permatex when they rolled off the assembly line. My opinion

[zman]

I don't think you did anything wrong but I think it was unnecessary.
A dry gasket is the best gasket. Everything a gasket needs has been added to it.
I think I remember in my younger days putting stuff like that on gaskets??
NO..I wouldn't have done that

[ajt3nc]

I was hesitant to use it on henryjetta.
I concur with the idea if VW did not do it, I do not need to either.
My big worry was getting some goop in the cooling system.
I know the MI place encourages it in their catalog but we do not profit from
it and give much more subjective opinions.

My free advice, take it for what it's worth.

[Diesel Dean]

I use it every time I install a head. Never had a gasket leak in about five gasket changes. I talked to Jack about this sometime ago and he said it's ok to use.

[Dsldub]

edited for content

[hagar]

Why would hagar get in on this discussion ? ----because he is NUTS --plain and simple..

Ever since the VW Rabbit hit Amerika --about 1977 ? -----the HG curse was here.

SO ? can we US DIY backyard self-taught mechanics MASTER the problem ?-------I did so why not YOU ? EH ?.

Pols ? never they are a PITA ------I never answer.

hagar.

[3Bunnys]

I'm in the Never use sealant school... now..... Used to use it, decided it wasn't worth the hassle......
IMHO the weak spot in these gaskets is the Oval insert seal for the pressurized oil port going to the head... betwwen 3 and 4 cylinder on front side of block....... Rabbits notoriously run high oil pressures, and you'll see (at least I have) a weeping oil leak at this spot running down front of block....... I've noticed now that HG's come with a triple lip seal for this oil port as part of the gasket....... I don't think sealants help that seal do its job, and maybe they are a hinderance...
used to use Hylomar,,,,,but that stuff is sticky (copeer coat is even stickier, you only get one chance to get it right !!!) and made putting head back on while block in car even more tedious than usualll
R

[tylernt]

I used the Permatex copper stuff once on a warped head. Didn't help. Haven't tried it on a good head, but you should definitely do something about that pressurized oil passage that 3Bunnys mentions. I don't think it's necessary on the water ports and sealer may cause poor sealing on the cylinder rings.