I was just wondering if it's really absolutely necessary to replace the valve cover gasket when you pull the cover off. There was a new one put on last summer when I had the timing belt replaced.
March 6th 1999
A message from Mr. Mark DiGaetani about Honda Bond:
I just came back from the Honda dealership and I found out what "honda bond" is. It's a silicone gasket maker made by Permatex called "Ultra Gray". It's specifically made for import cars. It's available at any auto parts store......it runs about $3.99.
This information looks correct, from the Loctite website:
Permatex ULTRA GREY Gasket Maker Designed for high torque applications (predominantly Japanese designs) requiring a unique RTV gasket. Exceeds manufacturers' performance requirements. Low odor, noncorrosive. Outstanding oil resistance. Guaranteed not to leak. Temperature range -75°F to 625°F intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids and vibration.
Originally posted by U.K VTEC Erik, when I recently adjusted my valves, I used the old gasket and it's been fine. Not one single leak.
Agreed, if you do use the old gasket, when you take off the valve cover you will see flat spots on the gasket itself. You want to apply a little Honda Bond to those spots and slightly around them.
If you do get a new gasket it is $10 at the dealership and the Honda Bond is $15.
when you take the valve cover off, you need to apply hondabond only at the points where the cams are on both sides of the head i.e. distributor, pulleys, etc.
Feprelude -- by the way, are you a service tech? Is there any colleges in the country that offer a Honda program? There's one around here that has a Toyota program.. but I've decided to switch my major in college from information technology to auto mechanics. I decided that I need to do something that I actually enjoy. And a master tech in Honda engines sounds pretty appealing.
yeah I'm a service tech. You can get a job at Honda as a lube Technician if you have a general background in Automotive skills. Once you get the job, they will send you to Ft. Lauderdale, FL for 2 weeks a year for update training, it is a great vacation that they pay for and they even give you a brand new car of your choice(other than the S200) to drive while you are down there
Feprelude-- thanks. I've really been trying to decide where to look into getting a job lately. Not sure if I should change my major and head into auto mechanics, or just jump into a garage and start working. I think I might like to have a degree to support me. I'd like to work for Honda or Subaru, but I really don't want to get stuck doing oil changes and warranty work all day, when I could be working at a smaller garage and getting real motor work.. not saying that a dealership would be bad, I'm sure you get some good work there.. but maybe even a performance shop. I know it's not a lot of pay there, but it's something I'd actually enjoy doing.
Pter, about this..
Quote:
What's Honda Bond?
March 6th 1999
A message from Mr. Mark DiGaetani about Honda Bond:
I just came back from the Honda dealership and I found out what "honda bond" is. It's a silicone gasket maker made by Permatex called "Ultra Gray". It's specifically made for import cars. It's available at any auto parts store......it runs about $3.99.
This information looks correct, from the Loctite website:
Permatex ULTRA GREY Gasket Maker Designed for high torque applications (predominantly Japanese designs) requiring a unique RTV gasket. Exceeds manufacturers' performance requirements. Low odor, noncorrosive. Outstanding oil resistance. Guaranteed not to leak. Temperature range -75°F to 625°F intermittent; resists auto and shop fluids and vibration.
Have you tried it yet? I had read over Mark94's part where he said the Hondabond was $15, and misread your post, thinking it was going to be about $3.99, well, I got to the dealership today with $8, and almost cried when they told me it was $15.06 plus tax.
I'm just going to go in and adjust my valves real soon (might as well paint the friggin' valve cover while I'm at it, is 500 degree paint strong enough? That's what I used on my calipers, and it's been fine), so I'm going to need something, and if this ULTRA GREY stuff is just as good (or the same) I'll get it.
BTW (anyone)-- I have the Helms manual, but, can I just use a regular feeler gauge set and a screwdriver to adjust my valves? Do I really need the Tappet adjuster that they recommend? This will be the first inner-motor work I've done (finally). If all works out well, I'll adjust my valves, then change my water pump and auto tensioner (I'll allocate an entire weekend ) and adjust my balancer belt while I'm in there.
Originally posted by thatchmaster BTW (anyone)-- I have the Helms manual, but, can I just use a regular feeler gauge set and a screwdriver to adjust my valves? Do I really need the Tappet adjuster that they recommend? This will be the first inner-motor work I've done (finally). If all works out well, I'll adjust my valves, then change my water pump and auto tensioner (I'll allocate an entire weekend ) and adjust my balancer belt while I'm in there.
Thanks again guys!
-Erik
I'm sure people have just overlooked this part.. someone must have an answer for me
I haven't tried the Ultra Grey stuff. I haven't bought the hondabond stuff either I went to the dealership, and they said $13 for it. As for the validity of whether or not it's the same stuff, well I don't know I've read this before though, and the Permatex stuff is supposed to be good for most motors.
As for the tool shown in the Helm. I'm told that it helps make the job easier, but isn't needed.
I'm hesitant on doing this myself. I'm waiting for someone a tad more experienced to show me the first time
Pter.. I haven't got the tool yet, but today I pulled the valve cover off just to check stuff out inside. I bought a new valve cover gasket, new spark plug gaskets, and some hondabond. Figured I might as well spend the money and do it right.
Well, I didn't need any new gaskets, I checked out all the old ones, and they were perfect, no rotting, no cracks, nothing. So I just hondabonded the valve cover gasket up, and away I went.
Oh yeah, I painted the valve cover to match my calipers too.
) and adjust my balancer belt while I'm in there. 
I've read this before though, and the Permatex stuff is supposed to be good for most motors.
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