Im having some issues with thermal gaskets seems like the leak a small amount, anyone run into this?

I have thermal gasket for the intake manifold and also my TB.

hard to test the IM gasket especially the bottom portion, I did see some leaks on the TB one tho, I keep tightening the nuts but they seem to work there way loose or maybe gasket is shrinking?

anyone here running them? maybe use hondabond to help them seal? or just go oem??

 

Its leaking because the fasteners are coming loose, why not address that, torque to spec with blue loctite or better fasteners

Ive had thermals on multiple cars over the years, never had a problem with leaks even after re-using the gaskets many times

 

Thanks for the reply

Ill take your advice, Im using OEM studs on the head with brand new nuts, I was not able to find any leaks but its hard to see the portion below the IM, I did have leaks on the TB until I re torqued the allen heads seems OK now

 

Generally oem studs are to short when you use a thermal gasket. Use longer studs even cheap eBay ones work with red loctite and I always put a super thin film of rev around coolant port both sides of gasket

 

this is the super weird thing the studs on the upper side of manifold all stick out about 1/2 inch (past the nut) the ones on the bottom just barely stick out past the nut, I dont remember my studs being different lengths. I dont have any water leaks that I am able to detect but the stud lengths do seem fairly odd. Almost seems like the IM flange is thicker on the bottom side

This is on a skunk2 ultra manifold, gasket is the one skunk2 sends with the manifold

 

Maybe the studs aren't all
The way into the head. Either way id do aftermarket stainless studs

 

the flange is definetly wider on the bottom portion on the skunk2 ultra.....seems to be sealing pretty good now. I think I just need some threadlocker for the time being.

Appreciate the input I will get longer studs next time I remove it,

 

Both mine looked to slightly mold into the mani after a couple heat cycles causing them to work them selves loose. Now I heat cycle a few times then go back and add some kind of lock tight( I try and avoid red in this area). I use a thin layer of rtv on both sides of my 70mm gasket(lower side of it has thin sealing area) and idle air control after I found a small leak using a compressor(about 35 psi).
Yours should have more sealing area and not sure if you need it, but it's something that can help if leaks continue.
Good luck