RTV reseal of lower balance shaft rear seal
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RTV reseal of lower balance shaft rear seal
I've traced a minor engine oil leak to the lower balance shaft rear seal. I've verified that the "cap" at the rear of the balance shaft housing is a bit loose -- I understand this is from o-ring shrinkage, which is the source of the leak. Have I got it right so far?
Anyway, the "quick fix" for a minor leak is RTV around the cap (at least that's what I was reading). Just verifying before I do this -- the cap doesn't have to be able to move at all? RTVing it in place is fine? Just checking before I apply the glue...
Anyway, the "quick fix" for a minor leak is RTV around the cap (at least that's what I was reading). Just verifying before I do this -- the cap doesn't have to be able to move at all? RTVing it in place is fine? Just checking before I apply the glue...
Last edited by Mark944na86; 05-03-2010 at 03:29 AM.
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we did this to the Dragon w/ the first motor and it worked. Get some brake cleaner and spray the area down real good, then put a glob of RTV on there and smear it around. Should hold till you fix it right.
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I had an extremely loose lower balance shaft plug on the lower one and oil was gushing out. So I went the long route and replaced the o-ring, totally insane amount of work to replace a one dollar o-ring. Then when I started up the engine I heard more clacking. Turned out that the upper one was doing the same thing. So instead of doing the whole job again on the other side I chose to do the clean and seal method. Strange thing is that the brake cleaner I used seemed to tighten the plug up in the rear of the housing. I still wonder if the cleaner caused the o-ring to bloat up enough to seal and tighten the plug itself again. I still put on the sealant and have not seen it leak since.
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Interesting theory about the cleaner. I blasted it with some brake clean and applied the RTV after it had dried off -- we shall see!
Thanks all for your advice and tips.
Thanks all for your advice and tips.
#12
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I've traced a minor engine oil leak to the lower balance shaft rear seal. I've verified that the "cap" at the rear of the balance shaft housing is a bit loose -- I understand this is from o-ring shrinkage, which is the source of the leak. Have I got it right so far?
Anyway, the "quick fix" for a minor leak is RTV around the cap (at least that's what I was reading). Just verifying before I do this -- the cap doesn't have to be able to move at all? RTVing it in place is fine? Just checking before I apply the glue...
Anyway, the "quick fix" for a minor leak is RTV around the cap (at least that's what I was reading). Just verifying before I do this -- the cap doesn't have to be able to move at all? RTVing it in place is fine? Just checking before I apply the glue...
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I've seen rtv hold for years and years without any problems. In fact, I don't think I have ever sen that fix actually start to leak again. Most people won't pay to pull the covers to replace a cheap oring, so that is usually the standard solution. It isn't the most pretty, but it works.
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allives0818 (02-15-2020)
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Is there anything wrong with doing that? I've often wondered why people don't just coat every damn thing with gray silicone or yamabond/hondabond, and avoid leaks for a decade.