Does the Valve Cover Gasket need to be sealed?

[Golgade]

Hello,
This weekend I am replacing my valve cover gaskets, and I was reading the service document on how to do it. The document said something about using a small bead of some sort of silicon sealing compound at a few locations. Has anyone else done this or can I get by without it, mostly because Idont know what would be the american equivilant to the compound.

[632 Regal]

I use the spray tack gasket stuff by permatex, I like spray painting things. Never had a leak yet, I dont like silicone cause things can slip.

[e34.535i.sport]

I used only the gasket when I done mine a while back and it's been sound since. M30 though, not sure if it's the same deal...

[glen-sj]

I did it about a year and a half ago as described in bentley to tack sealer at a few spots on valve gasket for my 95 530 M60. That was 18K miles ago. No leaks so far.

[Kibokojoe]

A couple months ago I bought a gasket that already had a bead of sealer on one side. I placed the sealer side down and did not add any sealer to the upper half of the gasket. Have not detected any leaks.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

You need a little sealer at the points where the cam plugs are.

Just a little permatex non hardening gasket sealer any where you have cam plugs, front cover mating points or vertical jogs on the gasket profile.

[Golgade]

Alright, thanks for all the replys. Going to Schucks today to get some permatex.

[russiankid]

M30 gasket is not rubber and is completely flat. If I were to use sealant it would be on the corners where to parts join together. M30 gaskets are completely flat unlike the M50 and M60 gaskets that are rubber and have a dip for the cams.