General Procedures - RTV Sealing Surface Cleaning and Preparation

Special Service Tools / General Equipment

Materials

Cleaning

NOTICE: This procedure must only be used on metallic sealing surface components. Do not use this procedure on non-metallic (composite/plastic) components. Failure to follow this instruction may result in RTV seal failure and fluid leakage.

NOTICE: Place clean lint-free towels over open cavities. Carefully remove the towels so that foreign material does not enter the cavities. Any foreign material (including any material created during surface cleaning), entering fluid passages may cause damage.

NOTICE: Do not use metal scrapers, wire brushes, power abrasive discs or wheels, or any other abrasives not specified in this procedure to clean sealing surfaces. These tools cause scratches and gouges that create leak paths.

NOTICE: Latex gloves are recommended. Using latex gloves will minimize the risk of contaminating RTV sealing surfaces and causing leaks.

RTV Sealing Surface Cleaning and Preparation Procedure

1. 1
   1. Material: Motorcraft® Silicone Gasket Remover. / ZC-30-A, AZC-30-C

   2. Material: Motorcraft® Metallic Brake Parts Cleaner. / PM-4-A, PM-4-B, APM-4-C

   3. Use the specified product or a commercially available equivalent.
      Material: Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo and Degreaser. / ZC-20, AZC-20-C (ESR-M14P3-A)

   4. Material: Motorcraft® Metal Surface Preparation Wipes. / ZS-31-B
2. 2
   For oil pan repair, where residual engine oil in the crankcase can drain down and contaminate the prepared RTV sealing surface, spray the inside of the cylinder block, skirt ribs and drain-back ports with brake cleaner to wash away excess residual oil. Use a lint-free wipe to remove the oil and cleaner residue from the components.
   Use general equipment: lint-free towel.
   Material: Motorcraft® Metallic Brake Parts Cleaner. / PM-4-A, PM-4-B, APM-4-C
3. 3
   Remove the flaking sealant by hand or with a plastic scraper or plastic razor blade.
   Use general equipment: plastic scraper
   Use general equipment: plastic razor blade.
4. 4
   Apply the gasket remover to the surface. Allow the material to soak for several minutes.
   Material: Motorcraft® Silicone Gasket Remover. / ZC-30-A, AZC-30-C
5. 5
   Use a lint-free towel and a plastic scraper or plastic razor blade to remove the sealant residue. Use additional gasket remover as needed.
   Use general equipment: lint-free towel.
   Use general equipment: plastic scraper.
   Use general equipment: plastic razor blade.
   Material: Motorcraft® Silicone Gasket Remover. / ZC-30-A, AZC-30-C
6. 6
   For components removed from the engine and vehicle that can be thoroughly cleaned without the risk of contaminating the engine with debris, use a 120-grit nylon bristle disc to clean the sealing surface.
   Use general equipment: nylon bristle disc.
7. 7
   • For oil pan repair, spray the inside of the engine block, skirt rib and drain-back ports with brake cleaner. Wash away any additional residual oil.
     Material: Motorcraft® Metallic Brake Parts Cleaner. / PM-4-A, PM-4-B, APM-4-C

   • Use a lint-free wipe to remove the oil and cleaner residue from the components.
     Use general equipment: lint-free towel.

   • Clean the RTV sealing surface with brake cleaner to remove sealant and oil residue.
     Material: Motorcraft® Metallic Brake Parts Cleaner. / PM-4-A, PM-4-B, APM-4-C

   • Wipe the RTV sealing surface dry with a clean lint-free wipe.
     Use general equipment: lint-free towel.

   • Inspect and make sure the sealing surface is free of oil contamination before proceeding to step 7.
8. 8

   NOTICE: Engine shampoo and degreaser is used to remove brake cleaner residue, which can cause RTV failure, and to prepare the surfaces for the metal surface prep wipes. Using any other brand of engine shampoo or engine cleaner may damage the sealing surface and may cause RTV seal failure and fluid leaks.

   Use Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo and Degreaser to clean the engine surface and remove any remaining oil contamination. Prepare the surface for the Metal Surface Prep Wipes. After using the engine shampoo and degreaser, dry the surface with a clean lint-free towel.
   Use common equipment: lint-free towel.
   Material: Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo and Degreaser. / ZC-20, AZC-20-C (ESR-M14P3-A)
9. 9

   NOTICE: Metal Surface Prep Wipes can only be applied to a dry surface. Failure to dry the sealing surface before using the Metal Surface Prep Wipes may cause RTV seal failure and fluid leaks.

   Prepare the surface with Metal Surface Prep Wipes. Wipe all metal surfaces to be sealed with RTV. Make sure the entire surface is wetted with the fluid.
   Material: Motorcraft® Metal Surface Prep Wipes. / ZS-31-B
10. 10

    NOTICE: Drying the surface with a towel contaminates the surface and may cause oil leaks.

    NOTICE: If the metal sealing surface or the area around the metal sealing surface becomes contaminated after preparation, or if fluid from the Metal Surface Prep Wipe drips onto the sealing surface, use a lint-free towel moistened with isopropyl alcohol to clean the area. Prepare the surface again using the Metal Surface Prep Wipes.

    Allow the fluid applied to the metal sealing surface to air dry (approximately 2 minutes).
    Use common equipment: Isopropyl alcohol, minimum 90 percent