Gasket Removal

[Larrydplummer]

Hi guys, I have learned quite a lot here. I wanted to take the time to mention something that I have found to remove "those gaskets".. if your on this forum you know what I am talking about. Ive been dealing with a clutch cover gasket that has been a thorn in my side. (of course it stuck to the engine side)Here is what finally worked for me. Exacto makes a #17 blade. The edge runs 90 degrees to that handle. here is where it takes a turn, you don't want the high carbon brand name ones. they are too stiff and don't flex. You need the crappy, $8 for 100 blades. I also went to HF and picked up a mini butane torch $14. It puts out a hot pin point flame. I worked an 1 1/2" at a time, heating up that "gasket from hell", untill it blistered a bit. The cheap flexible blade allowed me to reach areas without having to pull the clutch basket. I changed the blade a few times during the process. she came off....easily. and left very little residue. I'm hoping this helps someone. lol

 

[willis]

Thanks for your tip Larry. A lot of us here use paint stripper on engine parts that have a natural cast finish. It softens the leftover gasket material enough that you don't have to risk damaging the mating surfaces.

 

[bosco659]

I bought one of these last year and love it. It has two blades, one brass and one steel (stored in handle). The blade is mounted square in the handle but the at a nice angle to the surface you’re cleaning. The blades have a nice angle on them too. I’ll measure and report later. The blades are easy to touch up if nicked or dull. Like most stuff I’ve bought form Motion Pro, the quality is pretty good. It was expensive but I don’t regret making the purchase. I’ve used it many times with great results.

I agree if the gasket is real crusty and stuck on there, paint stripper can be your friend - patience required when using it though (the stuff you can buy now doesn’t seem as potent as the nasty old stuff).

https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0601

 

[gggGary]

Being a cheepazz I use a stiff putty knife and broken hacksaw blades ground to scrape gaskets On any gasket scraper, round the corners a bit to avoid gouging aluminum and wrap em in gorrilla tape for a handle.

Those thin tools are made from the stainless found in used windshield wipers. I make MANY little tools from that raw stock, every work bench has at least 4 or 5 little helpers.

 

[bosco659]

Being a cheepazz I use a stiff putty knife and broken hacksaw blades ground to scrape gaskets On any gasket scraper, round the corners a bit to avoid gouging aluminum and wrap em in gorrilla tape for a handle.

View attachment 343920
Those thin tools are made from the stainless found in used windshield wipers. I make MANY little tools from that raw stock every work bench has at least 4 or 5 little helpers.
View attachment 343921

I saw tools like this on a movie I watched a while ago - no spoilers but it was about a serial killer. lol

 

[Larrydplummer]

Being a cheepazz I use a stiff putty knife and broken hacksaw blades ground to scrape gaskets On any gasket scraper, round the corners a bit to avoid gouging aluminum and wrap em in gorrilla tape for a handle.

View attachment 343920
Those thin tools are made from the stainless found in used windshield wipers. I make MANY little tools from that raw stock, every work bench has at least 4 or 5 little helpers.
View attachment 343921

Good Lord, I think I saw the same movie! as I mentioned in my original post, the CHEAP #17 blades can flex well past 45 degrees. The gasket that was causing me grief was rock hard. I did try running the first few over a fine wet stone to touch them up. they are 8 cents each! lol.... VERY impressive collection of gasket removal tools!

 

[dave_a]

3M Adhesive Remover makes gasket removal much easier. Nor cheap but...
IIRC, my sump gasket had Yamabond4 on it. Pretty tenacious stuff that. Out of spite will tear the gasket in half so you get to scrape it twice. 3M made it a lot quicker to deal with. Makes tool selection less critical.

 

[bosco659]

3M Adhesive Remover makes gasket removal much easier. Nor cheap but...
IIRC, my sump gasket had Yamabond4 on it. Pretty tenacious stuff that. Out of spite will tear the gasket in half so you get to scrape it twice. 3M made it a lot quicker to deal with. Makes tool selection less critical.

Yes that sump plate mounting surface on the engine side is a booger to clean up especially if the gasket has been bonded to it. That’s why I try to choose what part the gasket will stick to on disassembly. As noted by others, grease or oil on the surface you want the gasket to let go of is a good plan..

 

[Larrydplummer]

Yes that sump plate mounting surface on the engine side is a booger to clean up especially if the gasket has been bonded to it. That’s why I try to choose what part the gasket will stick to on disassembly. As noted by others, grease or oil on the surface you want the gasket to let go of is a good plan..

Good morning, the paint stripper I have been using here is Rustoleum Aircraft. It does not do much as far as gasket material removal. I originally hopped online to ask what the guys use here, then I saw the 3M adhesive remover suggestion and I am gonna grab some of that. Its gonna snow here today. Im heading to the local hardware store in a bit. any suggestions as far as a different product for today?

 

[gggGary]

Once you get at least some layer of the gasket off your chemical of choise has a chance to soak in.
carb cleaner, acetone, some such is my usual "helper", soak some, work some, repeat, repeat, repeat.

 

[5twins]

I've had pretty good luck with the readily available Zip-Strip paint stripper .....

I've tried several different brands over the years but none seem to work any better or worse. The key is patience and, as Gary said, multiple applications. This is a sump plate that still had the original gasket that Yamaha installed with sealer. It could be Yamabond #4 but is obviously a thinned out version, as evidenced by the dribbles of sealer down the sides of the plate .....

The first application and soak will only get part of the gasket off, a layer from the top .....

The second application will do most of the work, soaking in and freeing up most of the gasket .....

Then a final application to the remaining bits will get them off ......