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[dbug]

Think I've still got 4 new GM ones here - whats left of my stock may well be up for grabs when the Estate goes

There you go Entwood..    dBug sold the car recently

Yeah .. sent him a PM and awaiting a response ......   

PM replied 

And within the hour - patience is a virtue   

[Entwood]

Possibly a light at the end of the tunnel (or a train coming at me ... )... been put in contact with a "friend of a friend" who has a relative in USA who is a heavily into car maintenance.... so emails have been sent to see if he can get some and post them across in a jiffy bag ...... initial response has been favourable and he seems to understand the problem ... just have to hope that the GM part number from UK is, in fact, the same GM part number in USA !!... images have been sent to, hopefully, get the right bit ... given his, so far, decent "tech speak" and understanding ....  here's hoping .....

[Andy H]

I wonder where the original seals were manufactured? I thought all the V6s were built in Ellesmere Port

[Webby the Bear]

I got mine from stealers a year or so ago. I'll call tomorrow to see if they can still get them. I'm sure I have a couple of spares knocking about if needed 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Possibly a light at the end of the tunnel (or a train coming at me ... )... been put in contact with a "friend of a friend" who has a relative in USA who is a heavily into car maintenance.... so emails have been sent to see if he can get some and post them across in a jiffy bag ...... initial response has been favourable and he seems to understand the problem ... just have to hope that the GM part number from UK is, in fact, the same GM part number in USA !!... images have been sent to, hopefully, get the right bit ... given his, so far, decent "tech speak" and understanding ....  here's hoping .....

Nige, I am sure I have one (or maybe more) new ones, drop me a PM and I will chuck one in the post

[Entwood]

With very grateful thanks to Mark DTM (aka Fuse 19)  I am now the proud owner of a brand new seal  So we now know what Saturdays job is .. oil change, breather clean , new top hat seal.. 

However ......  your collective wisdom sought

Chatting down the pub last night about things various, and the subject of this seal arose....  and various comments ensued, to cut it short ... when I "were a lad" and started doing my own maintenance, I always put a smear of Vaseline on seals such as this. Years later I was told that Vaseline, being petroleum based, damaged the seals and they should be fitted "dry", which is what I have been doing. Several said that was daft and that they used Vaseline as it made fitting easier, and the seal did not stick or get damaged on removal. Two said they now used "silicon grease" on seals as it did the same but at no risk of reacting with the rubber as it is not petroleum based.

So whats the opinion of you all please  ??

Dry
Vaseline
Silicon Grease

?

[tunnie]

I put grease on the O-ring for the oil filter, but as it's changed so often it never really gets time to 'damage' the rubber, just helps make a good seal.

[Lazydocker]

With very grateful thanks to Mark DTM (aka Fuse 19)  I am now the proud owner of a brand new seal  So we now know what Saturdays job is .. oil change, breather clean , new top hat seal.. 

However ......  your collective wisdom sought

Chatting down the pub last night about things various, and the subject of this seal arose....  and various comments ensued, to cut it short ... when I "were a lad" and started doing my own maintenance, I always put a smear of Vaseline on seals such as this. Years later I was told that Vaseline, being petroleum based, damaged the seals and they should be fitted "dry", which is what I have been doing. Several said that was daft and that they used Vaseline as it made fitting easier, and the seal did not stick or get damaged on removal. Two said they now used "silicon grease" on seals as it did the same but at no risk of reacting with the rubber as it is not petroleum based.

So whats the opinion of you all please  ??

Dry
Vaseline
Silicon Grease

?

. STEMO prefers it dry

As to your question... I used to use Vaseline and probably still would if I needed something (as I don't have any silicone grease to hand) but I would think either ok.

[Kevin Wood]

Bear in mind that silicone is seriously bad news for your lambda sensors, so not sure I'd use it in the intake system, although in the quantities used to smear on a seal, you'd probably be unlucky to kill them.

EDIT: This seal is also unlikely to be sensitive to petroleum given the application. Seals in braking systems might be a different matter.

[Marks DTM Calib]

A small amount of silicon grease is the correct stuff to use.

Vaseline does indeed rot the rubber.

Of course, on an oil filter seal you should use a small wipe of engine oil 

[Entwood]

A small amount of silicon grease is the correct stuff to use.

Vaseline does indeed rot the rubber.

Of course, on an oil filter seal you should use a small wipe of engine oil 

'Twill be done so ... many thanks for both the seal and the advice ... now ... can you also arrange for it to be dry in RWB on Saturday ??   

[amba]

Lets hope so as I will be driving the length of the M4 right past you on the way to Tenby on holiday,with 2 daughters/husband/partner..2 grand children an SWTSMBO 

Praying for sun all the way and good luck with your maintenance.

[Doctor Gollum]

A ring of black goo around the hole on the plenum would be a reasonable alternative to a new seal as and when they become obsolete

[Entwood]

A ring of black goo around the hole on the plenum would be a reasonable alternative to a new seal as and when they become obsolete

Local stealers say they already are ..   NLS and no plans to re-stock ...

[Andy H]

My twopennyworth-
The waist-band of the the seal needs to withstand whatever vacuum the inlet manifold can pull. The gusset prevents air movement between each side of the manifold but probably doesn't make any difference except when the engine is idling.

When my seal eventually disintegrates I will find an O-ring to replace the waist-band and not worry too much about the crotch strap ......