Tom I hardly ever disagree with what you post but I can't understand this comment. You would always use an additional sealer with any gasket. What is important is to use the correct one.
People think that because that's how they learned it years ago. The reality is that fiber gaskets are designed to seal without sealant, and they should go in dry unless specified otherwise in the procedure. Parts manufacturers have gotten clearer about this: the last water pump I bought for my GTV came with a fiber gasket and very clear instructions to install it dry. But despite it being right there on the instructions people will still tell you to put goop on the darned things.
(Exception in point, the valve cover gasket. Not held in position by bolts, so the Alfa procedure says to put gasket adhesive - on the cover side only - to hold it in place during assembly. But that's not to seal anything, just to hold it in place. I also think that's the one place I've seen in the Alfa service manual where it says to use something on a gasket).
If it makes you feel better to use some gasket dressing it probably won't hurt anything, but it's not necessary in most cases. RTV, however, is always the wrong stuff for fiber gaskets: it is meant to be used in place of a gasket, and using it as a gasket dressing is completely wrong.
Honestly they should make you take a test or something before you buy RTV, because I swear it's the most consistently misused product sold in the auto parts store.
