remove old gasket material from IM

[EsperHamid]

I am using a plastic chisel so I don't scratch the aluminum, I am still removing the plenum gasket since the early morning.

How in hell am I reading on Hondatech and google that people are using razor blades !! that would scratch the aluminum !!!

what solvent can I add to it ? will brake fluid work ? will petrol work ?

[sonikaccord]

By being very careful, a razor is probably the best solution but not the easiest. A couple of minor scratches wouldn't hurt, but gouging into isn't ideal.

I would try diesel and soak it overnight if I had to chemically remove it

[cp[mike]]

i usually use a razorblade mounted in a "scraper" like it holds it at an angle and gives you a handle. usually if you hold it really flat against the surface, almost parallel, you can work it back and forth to remove the material and it tends to just slide across the aluminum without scratching it. works best with a fresh razor, and like sonikaccord said, a few scratches are fine.

[F22Chris]

Aircraft stripper works really well, just don't touch it. It'll give you cancer if you live in California.

It's a paper gasket yeah? You can use warm water and soap to soak it. Goo Gone would work too. Honestly, you can soak it in rubbing alcohol or lighter fluid. Anything that you might use for getting glue off something will help.

[EsperHamid]

Aircraft stripper works really well, just don't touch it. It'll give you cancer if you live in California.

It's a paper gasket yeah? You can use warm water and soap to soak it. Goo Gone would work too. Honestly, you can soak it in rubbing alcohol or lighter fluid. Anything that you might use for getting glue off something will help.

the problem is that I hand crafted the gasket but the material couldn't hold, I drove it for 2 years and going up hill the car would suffer. I found out a new material I am going to try, frankly because removing the current material is pain in the ass.

it is of compressed paper gakset closer to carton ... when it soaks with oil ... now way in hell it would remove clean !!

I am trying with wood now .. I am getting there, but man it takes a long time.

Gonna soak it with petrol then try the wood again. Never gonna use this material again to make gaskets.

[muhammedmian]

This might be a stupid question but what if you set it on fire?

[F22Chris]

^^^x2 do that and take pics.

[N9netwoAccord]

A razorblade to get the majority of it off, and then I usually use a scotchbrite pad to get the rest of it off.

[EsperHamid]

This might be a stupid question but what if you set it on fire?

set what on fire ? I meant a wooden chisel not a wood gasket, I am yet to find a new material to make gaskets from, but definitely not going to use the same material again, real PITA to remove.

I think rubber is the best material for gaskets ! still not able to find a smooth rubber roll or sheet

[EsperHamid]

alright, is it a good idea, to remove the studs where the IM manifold bolts to the cylinder head, then use a razor blade to remove that stubborn gasket and when it is off and the studs are off, to grind the whole surface of the IM on the cylinder head with sand paper evenly ?

If so I will do the same to the TB and Plenum, is it or is it not a good idea ?! please help

[EsperHamid]

is it recommended to remove the IM studs to clean the old gasket material on the cylinder head ...or is it a bad idea ?

[F22Chris]

Is that gasket not plastic? You should be able to use a nylon razor.

[illinois_erik]

alright, is it a good idea, to remove the studs where the IM manifold bolts to the cylinder head, then use a razor blade to remove that stubborn gasket and when it is off and the studs are off, to grind the whole surface of the IM on the cylinder head with sand paper evenly ?

If so I will do the same to the TB and Plenum, is it or is it not a good idea ?! please help

its a good idea, will it be a pain in the ass maybe, sometimes the studs snap, either in the head or in half, so be sure you have spares. or it can go w/o a problem. it does make it a lot easier.

sanding the mating surfaces..NO. get as much off as much as you can and then use a big pink pencil eraser to get the surface clean of residue, a rag and solvent will help too before the eraser. Then a dab of antiseeze on the studs threads and seat them. you can also use some crumpled aluminum foil and solvent as a scrubber to get off the shit but not hurt the aluminum. You want a nice even flat surface finish for optimum sealing.

have you considered just buying one of those thermal gaskets? theyre reusable and dont leave a mess behind if you pull the intake off a lot.
the one I have on the h22 i installed it and used loctite on the studs and have no problems with it so far with over 3k miles on it..would be better then dicking around with things and going thru what youre going thru

[F22Chris]

Erik please correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the intake gaskets to the head thermo plastics? Or is it that not OEM? And that eraser thing is a good idea.

[djcaz_aom]

3m makes a product made specifically for removing gasket material. Why complicate things?

Spray it on, let sit 5 - 10 minutes and wipe off. Repeat if needed.