I pulled my intake off during injector replacement just to see what is happening underneath. Happy I did, some things needed cleaning up. during re-install, highly considering smearing hi-temp clear silicone over intake splash pan and lifter guide hold down. Both are essentially sheet metal and prone to drying out if engine not run on regular basis. Anyone see a problem with this? Lifter gum up perhaps? I'm talking about the stuff used for brakes, that wont harm rubber parts and is super hi-heat insensitive.

 

I would recommend STRONGLY against putting anything in an engine that can peel off in sheets someday and possibly get stuck in drainback holes, oil pump pickup screens, etc. Even just using excessive RTV on gaskets can lead to this.

Use paint.

 

I think he means silicone lube, not silicone sealer.

I'm not sure I see the value. These parts do not need lubrication, and get splashed when the engine runs. Even if they aren't dripping in oil, they are still covered in a film of it. Unless the car sits for years, they won't be "dry". Even then, still not sure it's important for them to be "wet".

 

Thanks for your responses guys. Yes, talking about silicone lube. Was also considering assembly lube of some sort. Any you never know when life calls and you may not start your car for a long while. Wouldn't be the first time for me.

 

What is it exactly you think another lube applied is going to prevent that the film of engine oil will not?

I mean seriously. There's oil in there. It's not a rainforest. It's not a salt water sea going ship. Are you worried about rust? Or sludge build up? I'm trying to think of a single thing that could potentially turn bad, that some foreign lube wouldn't make worse, and I've got nothing. Do you pull your plugs and fog the cylinders before storage? Do you pop the valve covers and take the tension off all the rockers so the valves are closed? Do you stuff rags in the tailpipes? I think we're worried about **** that could never happen for $1,000, Alex.

 

If you really must apply something, sandblast the piece, paint it with Rustoleum, and bake in the oven 200* (when the wife or GF is not around).

 

Even if it is a lubricant, don't do it. Anything that is really harmless here is also worthless here, the kind of oiling heat cycling here will just wash it off, and then you have - what ever it is - in your oil, bearings, and engine. If it's something other than a lubricant, like paint or silicone goo, you may never get it out of the engine without a rebuild, which you may have to do just because it plugged up the wrong hole.

 

Oil temps in this area are probably not going to reach higher than 250F. I don't see oil wash-off as a problem, as silicone can withstand temps of 400F. It is designed exactly for this purpose - to withstand hi-temps and continue to work. The idea is to return clean oil back to the sump so it can be re-circulated. Having silicone sitting up there, may actually promote this process, providing cleaner oil thru the system, because rust/oxidation has not had a chance to form. There definitely could be some benefits to doing this. I'm trying to ascertain what the downfall could be. Assembly lube and its cousins are used in engine assembly all the time without a thought. I'm thinking the real problem that may be introduced would gum up if it is even possible. Coating the bottom of the intake may even be something to consider......