Silicone sealant in place of gaskets

[Andy Mc]

Lazy arses I agree, they had my inlet 4 weeks before even attempting to do the work.......!! - and its still not done + I paid up front......!!

I had a word with my mechanic today and he said hes got some sort of gasket sealant that he uses and not to worry bout the gaskets themselves, he'll sort it when the bits finally get sent back to him - top man.....!!

[Len]

For inlet manifolds gasket sealer is o.k. They are all silicone based.
Only trouble is the stuff squeeses out into the port area! So it restricts air-flow. So unless you can attach the manifold and still wipe any exceess away it sorta defeats the object!

As said above get some gasket material, but ya have to be really good with a Stanley knife/sharp blade.

[richandhazel]

I assume if you buy the std gaskets they will still need trimming with the work you have had done? Best and easiest option has got to be to get one, sit it on the inlet manifold, stick the bolts in the bolt holes for location and then use the ball pein hammer trick on the inside edges of the ports. The edge of the manifold should cut the gasket or at the very least will mark it out for you. Next best option would be too use gasket material and sit it on the manifold, use the same trick to mark out the bolt holes, stick the bolts in for location and then use the ball pein hammer to mark/cut out the rest.
Last resort would be to just use sealant, maybe if he's using it conjunction with the old (trimmed) gasket that wouldn't be so bad

But hey, thats just my opinion, so don't worry. I'm in no position to argue with your mechanic who does this stuff for a living

[Andy Mc]

Cheers thanks for the advice.....!! I'm getting really frustrated now because the bits we're supposed to have been posted to my mechanic as a special delivery for Monday, today (Wednesday) this bits have still not arrived and are 'lost' in the post somewhere. The machinst does not have the tracking reference so I can't track it, I've had to log a complaint with Royal Mail to try and trace it (logged Monday lunchtime, still have not heard any thing back). I have now been 8 weeks without my car and atm, doesn't look like I'm gonna get it back on the road either.....!!!!!

[...joe]

gutted for you

[Andy Mc]

Tell me about it......!!

I'm starting to regret having this work done, although I won't be saying that once I finally get the parts and them all bolted on, if that ever happens.

I haven't got a clue what I'll do if they never turn up, altohugh I don't want to think that. I don't want to have to spend any more money replacing the missing parts nor do I want to pay ?50 a month insurance + ?20 tax for a car I'm not using.

The whole sistuation is really pi$$ing me off.....!!

[Andy Mc]

Managed to get hold of the tracking numbers today, god knows where they originally tried to deliver them but they we're waiting for me down my local sorting office so I popped over there at lunch time and picked them up.

They are now with my mechanic after I went and saw him straight aferwards. Should have my motor back by next week.....!!