Manifold/Turbo Gasket???

[Coldgin]

Why is there no gasket between the turbo and the exhaust manifold? Would it be better with one in there, and if so what type of gasket material should I use.
I have also heard of using wheel bearing grease in there. Someone else told me to use the copper silicone gasket sealer. Can this stuff take the heat? What is my best option here?

[tryingbe]

Because there is no need for gasket if both surface are flat, which they are from factory.

Get the surfaces re-surface if they are questionable.

[Sittn86]

The grease burns & turns into a hard carbon seal.

[xrattiracer]

small leaks there are better than having a gasket blow out. interestingly enough, ford chose to put a gasket there, but not one between the manifold and the head.

[Ondonti]

steel gaskets exist too. At least when you run a normal turbo inlet pattern.

[detobias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldgin Why is there no gasket between the turbo and the exhaust manifold? Would it be better with one in there, and if so what type of gasket material should I use. I have also heard of using wheel bearing grease in there. Someone else told me to use the copper silicone gasket sealer. Can this stuff take the heat? What is my best option here?

I nominate this as the most asked ?? in the "Turbo" forum !

this topic has been covered At Length - I know cuz I have posted on the topic numerous times..

<Darth Vader voice>
"Use the 'Search' function, Luke"
</Darth Vader voice>

[88shadowpjct]

Quote:

Originally Posted by detobias I nominate this as the most asked ?? in the "Turbo" forum ! this topic has been covered At Length - I know cuz I have posted on the topic numerous times..

yup! i've asked this question before lol
it didnt make sense to me either. i used a steel gasket for a regular square garrett flange and i just trimmed one corner and made a new hole. i'm 99.7% positive that's where im getting a leak though. the surface was REALLY rough and i didnt have it resurfaced. i just used a grinder and wiz-wheel but it didnt even come close.
my advice: DEFINATELY go get them resurfaced. then a small amount of wheel bearing grease

[Sittn86]

How hard IS this? THERE IS NO NEED FOR A GASKET BETWEEN THE MANIFOLD & TURBO. IF A GASKET IS USED IT'S ALMOST GUARANTEED TO LEAK. DON'T USE A GASKET THERE. They are flat machined mating surfaces. Gaskets, when used on these surfaces, will only cause problems. If these surfaces are rough upon inspection, don't be lazy or a cheap ass and think it'll be ok. GET THEM RESURFACED. If the surfaces are only somewhat questionable, apply a layer of wheel bearing grease between them. The grease will burn, leaving a hard carbon seal between the turbo & manifold. Use caution around the hole, so you don't end up with a giant gob of it on your turbine.


If you didn't feel like reading my entire post/rant and decided to skip to the end, here's a summary:
Always use a gasket between the manifold & turbo.

[tkelly27]

Even on DSMs, which come with a gasket, I put the axle grease. Who has time to line up a gasket like that? Not me.

[Screamin4banger]

I think the only reason you ever see turbo gaskets for sale:

Ricers buy them on Ebay for $o.o1 + $75.00 shipping

[tryingbe]

Needs to be sticky on these...

But then, you and I both know some people are too cheap to spend the $20 to get them resurfaced...

[88shadowpjct]

the only reason i did it with a gasket and a crazy rough surface was cuz when i was putting the car together, i didnt know ANYTHING about turbo cars. i knew dirtbikes and lawnmowers lol but now im def kicking myself for the stupid stuff i did. well, i'll know next time i guess.

i agree. this should be a sticky. simply labeled TURBO GASKET and when you open it, just write THERE ISNT ONE! haha

[Ondonti]

my t3 gasket doesnt leak.

[detobias]

I was able to resurface my flange surfaces on a floor mounted belt/disc sander

took some patience and about 45 minutes but got both surfaces flat; exh mani was at least 20-30 thou warped :bigeyes:

[moparfwdsleeper]

I'll make it a sticky

Have the exhaust manifold and turbine housing resurfaced, then apply wheel bearing grease. Not a big mess of it, more the better isn't in this case.

Someone should make a thread with all the things not to do with a TI/TII/TIV engine. Like... Use a Mopar o2 sensor, BOSCH won't last long. A wideband should be a factory standard, but it isn't, buy one. Unplug the coolant temp sensor when timing your TD. And so on