Heads up on RTV silicone for plugging air cleaner back plates
#1
Heads up on RTV silicone for plugging air cleaner back plates
I modified my Screamin Eagle air cleaner back plate for the DK external breather kit. I filled the holes that exit into the throttle body with Permatex RTV silicone, as has been discussed here on numerous threads. I set the back plate on the bench for 7 days to let it cure. The spec sheet on this Permatex RTV silicone stated that it took 24 hours to set up and 7 days to fully cure. It also stated that it had a continuous maximum temperature of 400 degrees and an intermittent maximum temp of 500 degrees. I just picked up the back plate this afternoon and was able to push the silicone plug out of the holes with minimum force, and it came out like it was coming out of the tube. The first 1/8" was solid, the rest was gooey. This air cleaner back plate was brand new, so there was no oily residue whatsoever. I don't know if riding the bike and heat cycling the back plate would have made a difference, but if the Permatex looked like that after 7 days, I wouldn't be comfortable putting any miles on the bike just wondering when that **** was going to break free and get sucked into the engine. I filled the holes with the Permatex until it exited the breather bolt hole, and then left a bubble to make sure it didn't get sucked out. So to ease my worry about this mod, I trashed the back plate and ordered DK's Arlen Ness external breather air cleaner. At least they weld the holes closed on that back plate. Bad batch of silicone? Maybe, but unless any of you that have used the Permatex for this mod have actually tried to poke it out, you might have the very same issue. Just thought I'd pass it along.
Dan
Dan
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You are no doubt correct, using this silicone to fill a small 1" passageway is not the way to go.
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