remove RTV Silicone

LyricsNLines · Post by **LyricsNLines** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:59 pm

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?

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:06 pm

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!

MrAngry · Post by **MrAngry** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:17 pm

Last time I picked up the gasket, it was about $8.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:18 pm

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

LyricsNLines · Post by **LyricsNLines** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:44 pm

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..

MrAngry · Post by **MrAngry** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:46 pm

Pliers. Easy.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:00 pm

Stay away from any silicone on your valve cover. The gasket, tube seals, and grommets are all you need.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:04 pm

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.

MrAngry · Post by **MrAngry** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:55 pm

Yea, screwdrivers work really good two. There not too difficult to remove once you've done them enough.