Things You'll Need:
- Silicon gasket
- Gasket
- Wrench
- Scraping razor
- Carburetor cleaner
- Green dish scrub pad
- Screwdriver
- Rag
-
Step 1
Remove the old gasket or gasket filling by separating the joined pieces with wrenches or a screwdriver. Pull the joined pieces apart and pull the old, composite gasket from its position. For parts joined with a silicon gasket only, pry the two pieces apart using a screwdriver. After pulling the parts free, set them aside so that they can be cleaned.
-
Step 2
Scrape away any old composite gasket and debris from the flat surfaces of the two parts that will be joined together as a seam. Composite gaskets will sometimes break and flake apart, leaving some of the material behind. Silicon gaskets will leave behind most of the old silicon stuck to the metal parts, and will need to be cleaned completely. Use a razor scraper to free these pieces from their metal parts. Scrub them with a green scrub pad and wipe down with carburetor cleaner before installing a new gasket.
-
Step 3
Insert a new composite gasket in place, with it sitting on the lowest piece of the two joined pieces. Position the second part of the two over the alignment studs or use bolts to align the two pieces before securing together around the gasket. For silicon gaskets that need to be applied out of a tube, apply even amounts of silicon gasket gel on both edges of the parts and align together using studs or bolts that will fasten the two pieces together.
-
Step 4
Press down on both pieces to set the gasket in place. Use the fasteners to evenly apply pressure on the two parts to secure them together with even pressure around the entire gasket. Gaskets need the correct pressure to be applied to work effectively. Check the fasteners to be sure that they are not tightened so that the gasket is pinched at one point, or that the silicon gasket filler has been squeezed out of the place it should be to prevent leaks. Silicon gaskets should be set in place within three to five minutes after being put on the piece. Once the gasket has "skinned," its effectiveness lowers dramatically.
-
Step 5
Wipe around the seam to remove any extra gasket of silicon that was left behind after the gasket installation. Use a rag and cleaner to wipe the surface free of leftover silicon, or use a cutting tool like scissors or tin snips to cut away extra gasket that remains outside of the joined pieces, if necessary.
