Silicone Caulk In Oil Filter

[film495]

I found a few chunks of silicone caulk in my oil filter when I cleaned it out. I since noticed some caulk that looks the same - appears to have been used on the gasket behind the tach cover. So, my guess is some squeezed out on the inside as well and found its way to the filter - that's good. I don't quite get how it would make it to the filter as I think it has to pass through the pump screen and passage in the side of the case to do so, but it did.

Problem is - I don't know where else this was done on the motor, nor do I know how many little chunks of silicone sealant are floating around inside my engine - maybe clogging oil passages - or waiting to do so.

Is there something that will cause the silicone to break down that I can add the engine oil? It might be fine, but if there is something I can do - I'd rather do it than wait for something to starve of oil and wear out quicker than needed.

 

[LongDistanceRider]

There's nothing you can add to the oil to dissolve the silicone. Sounds like you're left with 2 choices. Run it the way it is and hope that it's not going to be a problem OR strip the engine down to insure there won't be a problem.

 

[idontwantapickle]

Ooof. That sucks. I would personally be worried that RTV silicone has been used elsewhere, specifically where the crank case halves mate together.

 

[ancientdad]

If we're talking about chunks of sealer, I find it amazing that it somehow got past the screen on the oil pump

 

[mike in idaho]

Some idiot probably used it on the oil filter cover.

 

[film495]

If we're talking about chunks of sealer, I find it amazing that it somehow got past the screen on the oil pump

This is what I was thinking.

 

[Ribrickulous]

If it’s in the filter that means that either your oil filter screen has a hole in it, or some jerk got a deal on RTV and put it all over your engine.

Maybe it’s time to get to know your ride reallllll well... inside, and, well, inside?


Ed
1972 Honda CL350

 

[LongDistanceRider]

My best guess is the PO used the sealer trying to seal the oil filter cap to the housing, might look at the cap and see if there's evidence of the sealer on the O-ring.

 

[film495]

My best guess is the PO used the sealer trying to seal the oil filter cap to the housing, might look at the cap and see if there's evidence of the sealer on the O-ring.

It is possible, I wasn't thinking the silicone was an issue when I was cleaning out the filter. I was so happy just to have the bolts out and to be able to clean it out I don't really remember if there was any on the filter cap. It dawned on me later that the silicone I found in there may be an issue, but I do have 500ish miles on the motor as is, so - probably just going to run it and get at the oil pump screen pretty soon to see if it is even there.