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Silicone to seal engine case
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tandm1999
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:03 pm    Post subject: Silicone to seal engine case Reply with quote

I've heard alot of people say to never use silicone to seal your engine case. Why not?
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craigman
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Because it will ooze out everywhere and plug up oil galleys, ect..
Not good for vw's.
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smkn_vw
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also you may not get the correct bearing crush, not good to have loose things in there.
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The case halves are a matched set with a machines surface.
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perrib
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Search feature on The Samba is priceless.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=363486&highlight=silicone+engine+case

One small tube of silicone is enough for about 200 VW engines.
I only seal the jugs to the case with a very tiny bead (like pencil lead size)and smear a transparent film on the oil pump gaskets.

I use Permatex aviation cement to seal the case and most gaskets on my engines.
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Almost Alive
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

F**k Silicon.
Use Ketchup Very Happy
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tandm1999
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:22 pm    Post subject: silicone Reply with quote

well it would'nt ooze into oil galleys if only a small amount was used, bearing crush? I would think if the block was assembled fairly quickly it would'nt cause any issues. As far as the case halves being machined to match? maybe in 69. but it's certainly not perfect anymore. so I would think a small amount of silicone would take care of a few nicks and scratches in the case halves??
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Randy in Maine
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't do it.

Curtil T would be my suggestion.
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perrib
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Use silicone it is your engine. Smile Nicks and scratches means there is a raised surface right next to the lower surface that needs to be carefully removed.
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Max Welton
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:32 pm    Post subject: Re: silicone Reply with quote

timsflatfour wrote:
I would think if the block was assembled fairly quickly it would'nt cause any issues.

The last thing you want while assembling the CASE is to be in a hurry.

Max
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tandm1999
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:10 pm    Post subject: silicone Reply with quote

Thank you max fo the tip on not being in a hurry while assembling the case, you are 100% correct. However I am still wondering if anyone has a good reason for not using it other than "just don't do it". I've seen lots of people that use it and lov it and lots that hate it. For those that don't Why not?
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jd-drafter
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

having seen several cases that were sealed with the blue high temp silicone...and had oil passages full of little blue balls of silicone...

was enough to convince me that it is not the best stuff to use...

what did the factory use might be the best question...

i have seen several options... pick your poison...
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jfats808
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use the same as Perrib. Permatex aviation sealant on everything except the cylinder seal. For that I use grey permatex. Aviation doesn't fully harden. It's good stuff. I even used it on a 200k barrel 30 inch man hole plate. No leaks. Check my photo for the example of grey permatex application.
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Last edited by jfats808 on Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Max Welton
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As was pointed out before, the case halves are made to fit together very precisely. The halves are supposed to be in direct contact with each other all the way around.

The most critical bit is how the main bearings are held at the center. They must be held tightly and in precisely the correct position with respect to the crankshaft journals. Otherwise you get either binding or bearing shells that move around. How they are held are what is being referred to as "bearing crush".

Anything that may not allow the case halves to come together all the way around screws with the very foundation of the engine.

Can we find people who've used silicone and "had no problem"? Sure.

Getting away with something doesn't make it a good idea.

Max
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perrib
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Like I stated if your machined case half has a dent it in then it has a raised spot around the dent. If I was going to save a case with a dent or scratch that was deep enough not to be sealed by Aviation cement, I might level the surface and use a tiny bit of JB weld and scrape it flat with a razor blade. I've seen way to main engines VW and non VW with silicone clogged oil pick up screens.
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Dale M.
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Aviation gasket sealer on main case half's.... Utmost tiny bit of high temp silicone on base of jugs.... As others have said any excess silicone squeezed out in to crankcase turns into little balls and plugs oil passages..... Not something you want....

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volk263
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Silicone belongs around bath tubs not in a engine.
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Hippie
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used Permatex 3H. Works great. Hylomar works too if you can find it.
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Howard 111
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gaskasinch.
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fartfignewtons
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PostPosted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Silicone for the case halves is not recommended as it will allow the two haves to rub against each other as it is not tacky once set; the silicone will eventually allow oil to escape.

Here are some options...

Permatex Aviation Formagasket (easy find)
Hylomar Universal Blue
Curil T
Gasgacinch (easy find)
Loctite 518

I would only use Permatex Ultra Grey RTV silicone for sealing under the jugs and the oil pump.

Again, this is just my two cents!
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