Something came up and I can't work on my Ram today. I did, however, have a talk with an old friend that is a mechanic. I want to tell the story as it may help other Ram owners.
I explained what I had done and what I'm doing. Two things that concerned him. First is not getting a better plenum and second the type of rtv I used on the plenum gasket.
I followed Haynes and applied rtv to the plenum gasket, but very thin smear with brake cleaner clean finger. Here's the dilemma. When I went to my local parts/service store I explained in detail what I needed rtv for. The employee pointed out the permatex hi temp orange and said that is what Honda and Toyota uses. Sounded great. On the front says hi temp and oxygen sensor safe and pressure resistant. So that is what I used.
My friend told me that is what I SHOULDN'T have used. He said I should have used permatex copper, either spray or ultra copper in tube (better). Second choice would be their black, which I had at home! (says gasket maker, not dressing, but i learned sometimes that doesnt matter). I asked about using hi tack and he said that would have been better than the orange I bought, think it is 27B. Sure enough I read the back, should have done that at store, and says not good for some aluminum alloys. I pretty much wanted to throw up. He said not the end of the world, especially since I used such a thin coating.
So lesson learned, the hard way, if you're replacing your plenum gasket use the copper rtv if you're going to use an rtv, or black, and spend the $100 for a better plenum. Also research, like our forum, I bet that info is here, and don't always trust a sales clerk.
This is just one mechanic's opinion who is familiar with Dodge/Chrysler. I wanted to share it and hopefully it helps someone. So NEXT time I replace the plenum gasket I'll be smearing on ultra copper and buying new plenum. It is an opinion but he's done dozens of them so I trust his opinion. Anaerobics and permashield came up in the discussion but he easily obtains leak free jobs with the ultra copper.
Add: Torque sequence and increments are as important as what sealer you use. I got it from this forum. Also a good torque wrench and they should be calibrated every 6 months, I didn't know the calibration intervals. I just have a Craftsman click style, about $80. My friend's was over $500. Mine is 20-250 inch pound range so when I did my intake I had to start at 20 but supposed to start at 12. Then 12 inch pound increments to final torque. I did 20, 24, 36, 48, etc. I also wrote numbers on bolt heads with a marker so I didn't have to keep looking at sequence diagram.
So I'll let ya know how she runs tomorrow. Thanks.
