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remove RTV Silicone

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:59 pm
by LyricsNLines
When installed my previous valve cover I used the reddish/orange RTV sealant as the manual said to but I need to replace my valve cover bolt grommets, anyone have any solutions to clean up all the silicon goop?

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:06 pm
by occasional demons
A razor blade will work for the head mating surface, but the VC is going to be a PITA. The price of the correct gasket isn't too bad now, is it? Must have been a Chilton's, or Haynes manual, The factory one would not instruct you to buy a $5 dollar tube of RTV, VS the $20 gasket.

Try soaking the VC in vinegar as you scrape. Vinegar is part of the base for silicone RTV. It may help break it down.

Good luck!

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:17 pm
by MrAngry
Last time I picked up the gasket, it was about $8.

Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:18 pm
by occasional demons
The complete set, that includes the grommets, etc. is around 20 to 30, depending on where you get it. Just the gasket yeah. But OP now needs grommets, so it would have been $20ish to do it right the first time. IDK if the grommets are sold separately, other than the dealer.

4777626AA Valve cover gasket $14.00

4777 625AA ISOLATOR, Cylinder Head Cover, Grommet And Bolt $7.85 each X 10

So your local parts store gasket set is the way to go. So you have some extra tube seals, May as well change them too.

Felpro VS50507R AutoZone about $28

Image

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:44 pm
by LyricsNLines
tube seals are a pain to remove without denting the VC. What are some of your methods?

I will try the vinegar idea once the snow melts..

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:46 pm
by MrAngry
Pliers. Easy.

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:00 pm
by Danteneon
Stay away from any silicone on your valve cover. The gasket, tube seals, and grommets are all you need.

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:04 pm
by occasional demons
LyricsNLines wrote:tube seals are a pain to remove without denting the VC. What are some of your methods?
MrAngry wrote:Pliers. Easy.
I think I used a screw driver and bent the seal to get them out. I was afraid of breaking the plastic cover, but they are very durable. Once you get the seal bent a little, they come right out.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:55 pm
by MrAngry
Yea, screwdrivers work really good two. There not too difficult to remove once you've done them enough.