Water jacket gasket.

[Bke12345]

Got a question for anyone that knows. I got a Mercury 150 inline 6 and the water jacket is leaking water. When take the gasket off I notice the gasket has holes on it. Does any one know why that is and the purpose it is and could I just use rtv silicone instead of a gasket?
thanks

 

[GA_Boater]

Water circulation for the holes. No to the RTV - Get a gasket, OEM is less than 20 bucks.

 

[Bke12345]

[No message]

 

[Bke12345]

Ok, thanks sir

 

[racerone]

Well there has to be some material to hold / position the part of the gasket around the sparkplug holes !!