Thread Sealer on Plugs

[jmitchell]

I'm about to reinstall all the plugs that were pulled at the dealer for winterization to fire it up for summer time. It appears there was some thread sealer used on most of the plugs originally from the factory that is almost all gone now from taking them on and off. Is it common or a good idea to use thread sealer on all the plugs, some of them, etc. (block plugs, knock sensor plugs, etc.)? I have 7 plugs total for the 5.7L 343HP PCM Engine. And if so, what is a good product to use?

Thanks for the help.

[IDBoating]

Yep, I clean it off with a brass bristle brush and then reapply new thread sealant every time. Permatex makes a great product for this. You don't need the high temp stuff even on the engine block.

[jmitchell]

Thanks, I saw the Permatex on Amazon and was wondering about the high temperature product but you say it is not necessary. Do you put this on all of the plugs?

[IDBoating]

Yes, all of the drain plugs. (To be excruciatingly clear, not on the spark plugs.) That includes the drain plug for the V-drive, too.

[jmitchell]

Got it thanks. Went for the high temp stuff since it was $0.20 cheaper.

[jmitchell]

This stuff makes a great seal for the threaded drain plugs, but when I go to clean them up and re-apply the sealer for re-installation the older sealant is almost impossible to get off the plugs. I have tried soaking them in warm soapy water for a few hours then scrubbing with a brass wire brush....two hours later and I've maybe got 40% of the old sealant off. Any suggestions or easier way to remove the sealant? Remember most of the plugs are brass so i don't want to mar the threads. A box cutter helps but again trying not to damage the threads.

[IDBoating]

I use a cheap toothbrush-style brass wire brush. Harbor Freight sells them very cheaply so I don't mind tossing them when they start to show wear. No soaking required, I literally do it while sitting in the aft locker on either side of the engine.

Here's the exact stuff I use:



It's a bit messy when applying (once it gets on your fingers it seems to go everywhere!) but once "cured" it just balls up into little pieces that seem to brush away without too much difficulty.

[chpthril]

Wire wheel on a bench grinder would be my choice.

For next go-round, id suggest a teflon paste pipe dope. Ive got a large tube of GM pipe sealant with TPFE. it dries over time but doesnt harden if that makes sense.

[JohnnieMo]

In general I get the concept of applying sealer to plugs, however in this case is it even necessary? What's the problem that occurs if you don't? As far as I can tell you get a little leakage in to your bilge..... and that's what the bilge is for anyways. Am I missing something?

[UNSTUCK]

Youre not missing anything. Some people dont like a wet bilge.

[IDBoating]

Youre not missing anything.

Nope, not missing anything, just my OCD saying "If it has a plug, it's not supposed to leak."

[JohnnieMo]

Nope, not missing anything, just my OCD saying "If it has a plug, it's not supposed to leak."

Understood. And not a bad policy to live by. I have an air compressor that despite my best efforts, always leaks a tiny bit. I'm ready to throw it into a river.