Silicone in the oil

[bax]

I have stated in past threads that silicone / rvt should never be used for gasket sealer in an oil location. many argued with me and said it was ok. Everyone has their opinion. My brother in law had his van towed to my house. he said the motor just "locked up". I told him I would look at it. here is what happens when you use silicone. He has some dumb ass mechanic "friends"
Enjoy

 

[Mark]

Ick
It gummed up the screen in his oil pickup and starved his engine of lubrication.
ouch looks like all kinds of crap in that screen.
Lesson vicariously learned.

 

[broncnaz]

Silicone isnt the issue too much silicone is the issue. Looks like they scraped off old gasket and silicone and just left it in the engine. Like you said he has some dumbass friends.

 

[22213evl]

why use silacone? let Mr Gasket be your friend.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I've seen radiators plugged like that too. Some people just think they have to go overboard with the stuff. I use Gaskasinch wherever I can.

 

[Steve83]

Silicone isnt the issue too much silicone is the issue.

%) X2

Too much oil will ruin an engine, too. That doesn't prove oil is bad for an engine. RTV has its uses, and oil gaskets are among them.

. .

http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/category.asp?select=[Sealers and Adhesives]

 

[bax]

Too much silicone is definitely a problem. my question to those who use silicone would have to be: How do you know what amount squeezes into the oil and what amount stays to act as sealer. You can not inspect the oversquish after the pan is on. You have no way of knowing. That for me is enough.

 

[73azbronco]

be sure to use sensor safe sealant, elswise you will be frying your O2 sensor on an EFI.

 

[broncnaz]

In places I feel the need for RTV I use it but a very thing coat not gooped on where it will squeeze out. Also it can help to allow it to almost dry before tightening.

 

[73bronco]

I am big on being against silicone! The way I see it is manufacturers put A LOT of money into research on seals and gaskets. If they don't use silicone on an item from the factory there is absolutely no reason to use it in places they haven't. I work on vehicles of all types daily and yell at technicians that use it where it shouldn't be used. I have never had a come-back for a leak on ANY vehicle I have repaired needing a gasket replacement. Many and I mean MANY other "technicians" I work with get them constantly! SILICONE=EVIL!

 

[Viperwolf1]

I hate silicone. I like the natural look and feel.

 

[JGbronc]

Yep, that's been the factor of many blown engines. %)

 

[mr incredible]

cleanlieness is your friend, with manufactureres gasket sets{i.e.} name brand,, silicone isnt nescessary,most of the time. but aftermarket is really hard to get sealed up , with out some thing . this syndrome is mostly caused by people cleaning the surfaces off, and letting the scapps fall into the engine, and not cleaning up after them selves... silicone, where needed and used correctly, is a good thing. in the corners of a big block, or small block intake for instance. , with any kind of gaskets, if you dont seal the corners, there will be an oil leak ... no matter what.. same with the rear cork seal on the back ,... better stick it with some thing , or you will end up re doing it . silicone has its uses, the idiot using it is the problem .....

also this guy had more problems than silicone....

 

[gearida]

If you use it then remember that what you see squeeze out also squeezes in. If it squeezes out then you use too much.

 

[rsharpnm]

If you use it then remember that what you see squeeze out also squeezes in. If it squeezes out then you use too much.

And there you go. Too much of anything is bad for you. Mom was right!

I generally use only the thinnest smear - not much more than a film. You should NEVER see it squish out!

EXCEPTION: Intake manifolds. Throw away the stupid rubber end seals and lay a bead of sensor-safe RTV black. I let it tack up really well, and the set the intake down. Never had one leak this way, and never found a pickup screen like the one in Bax's picture. Day-YAMMM!

To each their own.

 

[RubberTramp]

Would it hurts to use a lil rtv between the t case and the tranny like there my c4 would bolt up to the adapter?

 

[73stallion]

where exactly was the silicone that caused that?

 

[bax]

Would it hurts to use a lil rtv between the t case and the tranny like there my c4 would bolt up to the adapter?

Rvt works good in these type locations. front and rear end covers, water pumps, coolant area, things like that. I am just not a fan of silicone coming in contact with oil in a engine.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Would it hurts to use a lil rtv between the t case and the tranny like there my c4 would bolt up to the adapter?

Most silicone is not stable in trans fluid. If you need to use something there use Hi-Tack.

 

[JGbronc]

where exactly was the silicone that caused that?

Guess: Someone replaced the timing chain/belt while engine was still in and used silicone to fill a gap where part of the oil pan gasket was under the timing cover rather than removing the oil pan and putting a new gasket on. Correct?