by KE4AVB » Thu Sep 26, 2019 9:04 pm
Lefty,
Right now I got a victim of the practice of using RTV with paper gaskets. The customer is partly to blame (as he didn't check his oil level) for what happen but I mainly blame the tech that use RTV on an used crankcase closure plate (sump). The CV23 is now fully destroyed from the lack of oil. Before I disassembled the fail engine I notice Red RTV on the valve covers. As I disassembling the engine I found Red RTV on both sides the gasket which allowed the gasket to be sucked in creating the massive leak. I just wanted to see just how bad he destroyed the engine. Both rods broken, chunk missing out of #2 cylinder, Camshaft broken in two, oil gear shattered among other things.
Besides RTV doesn't stick to oily gaskets. Plus whoever did this didn't wait for RTV to cure before putting oil in the engine and starting it as the oil pump screen was half clogged with RTV plus the governor had pieces of RTV in its fly weights.
This was done since the last time I repaired the mower. I reckon my labor of $45/hr was too high for the customer. Maybe he think twice about cut rate repairs next time. The Cub cadet RTZ isn't worth another engine due to other problems. Even with me finding and installing a good used engine it is out the customer price range of $500 max as I need to install a new engine pulley and the engine plate stiffer.
As BGS said there are suitable sealants for gaskets that can be very effective; although, I never have needed them. As mention products like Hondabond and Yamabond are two products used for crankcase sealing especially on ATV engines where there is no gasket used.
The truest measure of society is the how it treats its elderly, its pets, and its prisoners.