Valve Cover Gaskets - Fully Silicon or Beaded?

[sexydego7]

I went to purchase a valve cover gasket kit and discovered that there are fully silicon gaskets. I have been told the "turbo" ones with the bead of silicon around the edges were the ones to get, but the fully silicon gasket was never even mentioned.

What do you guys think? The fully silicon one is about 3 times as much, but I really don't care about cost. I'm more interested in not needing to worry about it for a LONG TIME!

Thanks for your input!

[Canada Kev]

I tried the fully silicone, but I went back to the cardboard gaskets. I didn't like that it was so easy for them to squish out from under the covers. Because I did not tighten them down as much initially - they require significantly less torque on the nuts - I had a small leak after installing them. The ones I'm using now are the ones with the bead. I still have the silicone ones as emergency spares.

[Autoban]

I used the ones with the bead a couple of weeks ago and have no leaks. I think the ones with the bead give you a better feel when you torque them down.

[KNS]

I have the red silicone ones, bought them years ago and haven't needed to buy new ones since. Nice and dry, no leaks.

There was one occasion I had to pull a lower valve cover to check something ( can't remember what it was). It was a weekend so I jacked up one side of the car and did my thing. What was nice was not worrying about getting new valve covers last minute on a weekend.

[john walker's workshop]

the thick gray graphite ones for me.

[preston_brown]

Like Kurt, I have the all silicone red/orange ones. Have had them for 8 years.

No valve cover leaks.

[kugelfischer]

I have to say that I prefer the beaded gaskets. I had the full silicone red ones on the car for a while and just couldn't get them to stop leaking. Torquing the nuts was tough to get right (for me). Too little -> leaking, too much -> gasket hemorrhaging and the risk of cracking the gasket.

The beaded gaskets solved my leaking problems. Easy install.

[Oh Haha]

I went with the beaded version this time. I like them so far. I had the silicone ones and they leaked more.

[RWebb]

gray

be sure your valve covers are flat

[aston@ultrasw.c]

I tried the money is no object silicone and the bastards leaked.

[kidrock]

count me as another leaking silicone customer. The beaded gaskets are much more forgiving and I've never had a leaking issue with them.

[HFR_Racer]

I love my "orange" silicone rubber gaskets on my '87 930. Purchased from our host. I've had them for four-(4) years now. I was worried that I might not be able to clean them up and re-use them after my last valve adjustment. I simply washed them down with a little Ivory liquid soap and water. They are are still pliable and don't leak. Another plug is that you don't have clean off any gasket residue on your engine.

[kwikt 911]

Thick grey graphite looking ones for me.

[80-911SC]

I use the grey ones but did put a set of the full silicon in another pelicans car and did not have a problem with the .. It did feel like i did not have the nuts on tight though .. the torque spec on them is REALLY low ...

Go with the grey ones ... if you use the others you still need to change out the nuts and washers every time ... order the grey ones here and they come with the nuts and washers ... Just make it easy on your self ...

Also there is the point that the factory used paper so why not use paper ...
true silicon technology was not there yet but still just make it easy ..

if your covers are not warped you wont have an issue and we promise not to call you CHEAP .......

[DRACO A5OG]

If you go Silicon, make sure you torque to the manufacturer's spec not PAG spec. They have the instructions in the package, keep it handy for your next valve adjust.

[Dublinoh]

I have the billet aluminum covers that use the 964 gaskets, anyone have a recommendation gasket type or brand for these?

[Gretz]

I've been searching threads and haven't found a consensus. About to do a valve adjustment and will be replacing the gaskets. I ordered the standard Pelican recommended: https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search_2016.cgi?command=DWsearch&make=POR&description=10-0906-091-M260

But it makes sense that the silicone-beaded version would stop leaks better. Something like this: https://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/pel_search_2016.cgi?command=DWsearch&make=POR&description=930-105-195-01-98-INT

I currently have no valve cover leaks but I also don't want to start having a problem. Cost is not an issue - I'd rather pay a little more to avoid leaks. What do you guys think? Should I order the silicone-beaded version and use those instead?

[fizeus]

Use the standard gaskets. If i remember well original porsche gaskets are now provided by VICTOR REINZ.
Follow the istruction when you install (see victor reinz site)... They have to be face up, do not use oil on the gasket surfaces, but above all clean the contact surface carefully.... It has to be super clean. A pelican times ago suggested me to use Wd40 and the tip worked very good for me.
Also make sure valve covers aren't bent... To check just sand them on a glass surface.

If you follow those rules i bet you will have no leaks with the OEM gaskets.