RTV rubber around pilot light, thermopile, thermocouple

[joe_pinehill]

I replaced the thermocouple on my Heatilator. There was RTV rubber around the holes where the wires and pilot tube come up from the bottom.

Is this necessary to replace? Not obvious to me, I reassembled without. But if I get feed back here I can apply some around the holes. If its needed, will a high temperature permatex RTV from NAPA or Autozone be OK?

 

[DAKSY]

Replace the seal. Hi temp RTV will work.
Your unit is meant to operate with a sealed combustion chamber.
If it's left open, the AtF mix will be wrong, so it may not burn correctly.
Additionally, there will be a chance of CO escaping into your home.
You DO NOT want that.

 

[joe_pinehill]

thanks for the reply.