The many uses for silicone

[goat]

I'm trying to get ready for my first track day this weekend, and I decided to email one of the organizers about a small oil leak that I have because I want to be SURE that I pass inspection. This is part of my email:

I have about 2k on my motor since I rebuilt the bottom end. It has a slow leak out of the oil pan gasket and I imagine that I either nicked one of the surfaces or didn't get all the old gasket material off. It is likely that this would drip a few times over the course of a track day.

And this was his response:

Clean it and silicone it. Keep an eye on it and check it after every session, ok?

I'm not sure what he means by this. The first thing that comes to mind when you "silicone" something involves the clear stuff that comes in a tube at the hardware store. However, I envision that melting off of my engine once it warms up.

The other things that come to mind are to replace the gasket with rtv, or replace the gasket with a new paper one and use a silicone based sealant.

I was hoping I could get some suggestions on how to (at least temporarily) stop this oil leak.

Thanks

[Aerospike]

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=3289&mfrcode=PTX&mfrpartnumber=22072

[The Buddha]

I'm trying to get ready for my first track day this weekend, and I decided to email one of the organizers about a small oil leak that I have because I want to be SURE that I pass inspection. This is part of my email:

I have about 2k on my motor since I rebuilt the bottom end. It has a slow leak out of the oil pan gasket and I imagine that I either nicked one of the surfaces or didn't get all the old gasket material off. It is likely that this would drip a few times over the course of a track day.

And this was his response:

Clean it and silicone it. Keep an eye on it and check it after every session, ok?

I'm not sure what he means by this. The first thing that comes to mind when you "silicone" something involves the clear stuff that comes in a tube at the hardware store. However, I envision that melting off of my engine once it warms up.

The other things that come to mind are to replace the gasket with rtv, or replace the gasket with a new paper one and use a silicone based sealant.

I was hoping I could get some suggestions on how to (at least temporarily) stop this oil leak.

Thanks

He probably meant to spray it with like contact cleaner or carb cleaner (active ingridient is acetone in both cases) on the mating surfaces and clean them till they are squeaky clean ... then put silicone on your finger and smear it in that area ... where the leak is ... that should get enough of it in there to choke up the leak and slow it down ... if not stop it.
The other option is to take the cover off and silicone both the sides ... re fit the gasket and slap it back on. Far more tedious and heck might as well replace the gasket in that case eliminating the silicone altogether ...
And silicone comes in a red color ... highest temp and best stuff ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[Blueknyt]

Alot of folks use Silicone as  a general discription for RTV Sealant

Reduced Temp Vulcanize

you can get them at any autoparts store.  Gold or red are generaly high temp but read the package to be sure.

[goat]

I just hadn't heard of using RTV for something like this. I suppose that in the end, it is just a high-temp sealant.

Thanks for the help

[dgyver]

From someone who has been behind a bike that has a known oil leak....

Fix it correctly!

It really sucks getting sprayed with oil. Not to mention what it would do to your rear tire.

Do not put a bandaid on it. Just replace the gasket and be safe for your self and all others on the track. Eventually the silicone will be pushed out and you will still have the leak.

[goat]

From someone who has been behind a bike that has a known oil leak....

Fix it correctly!

It really sucks getting sprayed with oil. Not to mention what it would do to your rear tire.

Do not put a bandaid on it. Just replace the gasket and be safe for your self and all others on the track. Eventually the silicone will be pushed out and you will still have the leak.

The problem is that I'm not convinced that a new gasket would fix the leak. The gasket in there was brand new when I put it in and has been leaking since. Perhaps with a new gasket, a good cleaning and some sealant it will stop.

I may end up doing both to make sure this doesn't become a problem, but considering the fact that it has been constant since I rebuilt I'm not sure that either of these will completely fix it.

[dgyver]

If the surface is damaged and a gasket will not seal, try using a non-hardening liquid gasket sealer at the place where the leak is. I have used just the sealer by itself and with gaskets, great results both ways.