Well it can be done, but that doesn't mean it should be done. If done properly, a good bead of RTV will seal the oil pan, but personally I've always used both. You could very well have this last you years, but if he didn't do a good job you could have a leak in days, weeks or months. Make sure you keep your receipt.
I have a friend who is a GM mechanic. He told me he much prefers RTV over a gasket
When I tried it, I torqued the bolts too soon before it had set up hard, and got a leak. When I used a cork gasket I over-torqued the cork and got a leak.
Lesson being, if you don't know exactly what you are doing, you get a leak, and if you do know what you are doing you won't regardless of the method.
I'd hang on to my receipt and run it a few days. Don't panic it is likely ok
When I think of RTV I think of Permatex"Form-A-Gasket". Personally, I have only used it for low heat applications like rear end covers. Using RTV around hot oil, tranny fluid and antifreeze would make me nervous. If it were me I would have insisted they use a quality oil pan gasket like the newer Fel-Pro blue rubber ones. (even if I had to pay the mechanic extra) Like my dad always says, "There is never enough time to do it right but there's always enough time to do it over". Kit
depends on the type of RTV you use as well, remember they are all different kinds and colors, those colors usually correspond to what the RTV is good for. Oil, water, gas, tamps you name it they got a different one for it, I like the copper colored one. been using it for decades on everything from differentials to oil pans.
but unless used properly, RTV or Gaskets, even both together can fail.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 10-05-2013).]
Newer cars dont have many gaskets. Working on my Sebring, even the valve covers, oil pan, trans pan and everything else Ive taken off ONLY has RTV and no gasket. It dont leak a drop of anything on garage floor.
Mitsubishi 3000gt vehicles were factory RTV on the oil pan. No gaskets at all. Granted those cars were designed to use RTV from the factory, however, If done properly, yours likely won't leak. Personally, though, I think I'd have a problem if the mechanic didn't install as we'd agreed (Eg. using your gaskets).
I have always found the success is in the prep. RTV usually does not fail itself its the bond between the rtv and the surface. If you get the surface oil free so it can bond then you can have good success. I wipe the surface with lacquer thinner several times and have had very good luck with all my rtv.
Thanks for the feedback folks! It appears like I'll just have to watch things in case the RTV was not the right one or was improperly done. So far so good; the oil pan is holding well.
I still do have one remaining minor oil leak. When I picked up the car, the mechanic told me that he could not find the oil pressure sending unit, which had begun to leak a little. I can take care of this when I get the part, which I just ordered. It is one of those large ones that drives the oil pressure guage, not just the oil "too late" warning lamp.
Not having pulled one from an iDuke before, that I remember, I do wonder if I need to drain some oil in order to replace it.
[This message has been edited by Jdlog (edited 10-05-2013).]
And the Helms manual specifies RTV -- it even tells you what size bead to lay down.
Manuals can and do have mistakes, maybe not in this case but I have found them in just about every one I have ever read.
example when I changed the engine on my 86 Suburban the manual said to turn the oil pump a certain way to prelube the engine before start up for a new engine. I forget what the manual said but it the opposite defection clockwise or counterclockwise. that was one manual, think it was Haynes but it has been over 20 years so I could be wrong. found similar mistakes in Motors, Chilton, and others, never the same mistake but they all can have mistakes in them. so don't be fooled and always double check when you aren't absolutely positive about something, think here or another manual.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
