Home made Oil pan gasket.

[SilverSSS]

I've made plenty of gaskets in the past, like the rubber infused cork sheets, Anybody see any downside to making a oil pan gasket? Seems like a much better solution then RTV!!!

[Racer Boy]

It doesn't seem like a better solution to me. I've never had the RTV-style sealant leak on an oil pan. You just have to use the correct stuff. Way less hassle than making your own gaskets!

[Disaster]

Originally Posted by Racer Boy

It doesn't seem like a better solution to me. I've never had the RTV-style sealant leak on an oil pan. You just have to use the correct stuff. Way less hassle than making your own gaskets!

One of the reason's manufacturer's stopped using RTV is because the silicone leaches into the oil, which gets into the combustion chamber via blowby and destroys the catalytic converters and fouls oxygen sensors. Newer sealants were developed that didn't have this issue (loctite.)

[Nine8Six]

Originally Posted by SilverSSS

I've made plenty of gaskets in the past, like the rubber infused cork sheets, Anybody see any downside to making a oil pan gasket? Seems like a much better solution then RTV!!!

Hydrocarbon resistant materials used to manufactured gasket is not all that cheap. RTV is used to reduce cost for the automakers- in fact not only in the automotive industry, pretty much anywhere else that needs temp sealing.

If however you plan on sealing your oil pan permanently, then a quality gasket applies quite well and recommended.

Cost man :/

(ps: see, I'm slowly becoming a 986 technician - the expert lolll)

[Mig]

I never really had much respect for RTV until I got into aviation. I see it used quite a bit around the engines of piston aircraft.

These engines are quite similar to ours. Mostly flat 6 piston engines. They are tough; they operate at high power settings all day long, and in both hot and very cold environments.

I've never seen RTV leak on an airplane. It's usually other areas that start to seep.

[thstone]

Modern RTV is much more stable, durable, and flexible than the old rubber/cork gaskets. Thus it works over a much wider range of conditions and is generally impervious to engine fluids. A rubber/cork gasket will work but it won't work under all of the extreme conditions that RTV will. Of course, both types can seep or even leak but usually for different reasons.

Please note that the recommended bolt torque may change when going from RTV to a different type gasket because a rubber/cork gasket needs to be compressed a certain amount (and not more than that certain amount) for it to seal properly whereas this is not the case with RTV.

[911monty]

You are not making an oil PAN gasket. You are making a cover gasket. The pan as on V-8 engines will hold, with some leakage, the entire capacity of oil in the engine even if it becomes loose. Where as a loose cover on the boxer engine could allow the entire oil volume to leak out. How many times have you seen a valve cover with the bolts finger tight? IMHO not a good idea.

OH and not to mention altering the highly important Oil pump pickup to sump clearance.

[SilverSSS]

Originally Posted by 911monty

You are not making an oil PAN gasket. You are making a cover gasket. The pan as on V-8 engines will hold, with some leakage, the entire capacity of oil in the engine even if it becomes loose. Where as a loose cover on the boxer engine could allow the entire oil volume to leak out. How many times have you seen a valve cover with the bolts finger tight? IMHO not a good idea.

OH and not to mention altering the highly important Oil pump pickup to sump clearance.

This is something to think about. think i will go with RTV. The problem with RTV is simply ease of installation. Reassembly on your back in a cramped space is not fun. Not to mention the gooping into the pan problem.

[Fintro11]

Can't go wrong with loctight

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by SilverSSS

I've made plenty of gaskets in the past, like the rubber infused cork sheets, Anybody see any downside to making a oil pan gasket? Seems like a much better solution then RTV!!!

In summary, nothing but downsides to that "solution" to a non-existent problem.

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

In summary, nothing but downsides to that "solution" to a non-existent problem.

Isn't that what he was just complaining about in his other thread?

[SilverSSS]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

Isn't that what he was just complaining about in his other thread?

Are you my Thread Nanny now?

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by SilverSSS

Are you my Thread Nanny now?

Ooooohhh... We have Thread Nannys? I want one.

[SilverSSS]

So used the Permatex 'The Right Stuff' if anyone cares, supposed to allow for 1 minute set up, and immediate service. Still let it cure on the car for 2 hours. Went on well, Comes with a nice tiny end nozzel, if you get the can that loads into the RTV gun. There's 2 ~4" scoops that protrude from the plastic undercar covering, they get in the way of being able to directly install the oil plate, which you need to do, to get a single contact seal. I test fit mine a few times, ended up cutting off both scoops flat with a cutting wheel. I know, the horror, don't intend to do over 120 with the car. lol. With them gone, it's a direct insert. 7ft/lbs, or should i say 84 in/lbs. If you don't own in/lb wrench, get one. Even a cheap in/lb wrench will be way more accurate than a ft/lb wrench at these minimal values. Got the LN screw in filter adapter, running Mobile one 'Extened performance' Oil, which is apparently one of the only 'True Synthetics' left out there. Purring like a kitten! :dance:

[Timco]

Biggest issue is using too much. Jake has posted pics of the sump screen totally clogged with little RTV snakes. I used a very tiny amount and no leaks.

[Nine8Six]

Sorry Monty, can you find a pic of what you are describing here, just so we can make sure they are still there. After 20years (mine), just never know.

Just hearing you guys mentioning about 'scoops' and personally never seen anything looking like air/cooling scoops under my car. To my knowledge anyway

[steved0x]

Totally deleted... I was thinking the wrong thing

[911monty]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

Sorry Monty, can you find a pic of what you are describing here, just so we can make sure they are still there. After 20years (mine), just never know.

Just hearing you guys mentioning about 'scoops' and personally never seen anything looking like air/cooling scoops under my car. To my knowledge anyway

Fred anything for you man! Excuse the juvenile attempt, not close to your standard! Anyway here is a photo from the web. The actual scoops circled in red. The Diffuser is circled in magenta. There would be a second where the broken piece of panel circled in yellow. These are what Silversss cut off.

[madmodz]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Fred anything for you man! Excuse the juvenile attempt, not close to your standard! Anyway here is a photo from the web. The actual scoops circled in red. The Diffuser is circled in magenta. There would be a second where the broken piece of panel circled in yellow. These are what Silversss cut off.

Ok, so the scoops in red were cut off, and the panel in yellow is missing? Silver just hit the junkyard or ebay and get some replacements. You would be surprised at the 996s and 986s missing those panels.

[Gilles]

the broken piece is the rearmost plastic bottom section cover, mine still on the garage (me bad..) but still has the P/N sticker on it, if you need it I will post it when I get home.