Well, I've finally had to diagnose the fact that my car won't start is a vac leak.

I cant exactly hear it, because it won't run at all, unless I hold the AFM open alot.

I've probably taken the intake manifolds off ALTEAST 5 times, without ever touching the gaskets or putting new silicone on.

My question is... do I need to use RTV or black silicone, or that red or green loc-tite **** for the LIM gasket?

I have the dynamic chamber -> VDI manifold and vdi manifold -> LIM gaskets already, and like 10 tubes of RTV and black silicone (thanks work!!! )

Santiago has pointed out that the gasket shouldn't even be metal... so I dunno. I have 2 extra LIM gaskets laying around, both of which are metal, and mazda OEM parts.

 

I used the new metal gasket on my rebuild, and it was probably the only one I didn't help along with RTV, because it looked like a very well engineered gasket for that particular spot. And, it hasn't leaked.... The temps there are probably a little high for black, if anything, go with thr red or copper, and don't glop it on so thick that you're squeezing it into the small ports when torquing it down...

If you have a new metal one, by all means use it...RTV if you wish, but if it's new, you shouldn't have a problem, unless something's warped or has corrosion pits or the like...

 

The layered metal lower intake gasket is a stock item. I've also seen the paper one which was a stock item.. I've never had a leaking one and never used RTV with the paper or metal one on the LOWER intake manifold. I've remove upper intake manifolds numerous times and reinstalled them with the same old gasket. Just put a film of RTV (I said a FILM) on the part the gasket is stuck to and a SMEAR of vaseline on the mating surface. Then join together. The next time you take it apart the gasket should stick to one part and be released from the other part....and not be torn due to the release agent (vaseline).

 

Yeah, I've planned on taking the manifolds to work and grinding them nice and smooth, and put the new gaskets on, but I've got a few more important things to fix atm (read: MOP)