Anti-seize compound.... in an engine?

[richard612]

Several people on a motorcycle forum are advocating the use of anti-seize as a gasket dressing on the valve cover. Supposedly, it's just the ticket for preventing material transfer and promoting the future re-use of the gasket.

My concern is with the metal particles floating around in the engine. Solids found in Permatex anti-seize compound include copper, aluminum, and graphite.

I wavered for a while and finally chose to use it on my own gasket. I ran the engine for about 5 minutes and then immediately drained the 2500-mile oil. I could easily see the metallic glitter in the old oil and I'm starting to have regrets about using this stuff on my gasket.

What do you guys think? Should I re-fill with a cheap oil, run it for a few more minutes, and drain it again? Copper, alu, and graphite are all pretty soft, but so is the aluminum head (which uses no bearing inserts).

RM <-- feeling a little dumb today

 

[Patman]

I think that would be a good idea to put in the cheap oil, drive around the block and then
change it again. Never can be too safe, I wouldn't feel comfortable after seeing that stuff in
the oil.

 

[MolaKule]

Some anti-seize compunds also contain 1 um to 10 um glass particles, aka silica.

While the copper, graphite, and aluminum probably won't harm anything, the glass sure will.

 

[dragboat]

Some of the metals you saw could have been from the clutch plates depending on how they are made.Do you think that the filter might be getting bypassed from a relief valve in some way?

I use Gaskacinch when I want to reuse a gasket,depends on the material though.

 

[Chris A]

I have thought of using the Permatex Hylomer HPF on my valve cover gaskets, but never had. It may be right for you:
http://www.permatex.com/products/prodidx.asp?f_call=get_item&item_no=25249

 

[richard612]

I think I'll do that. I'll waste $4.00 worth of oil but it'll help me sleep better at night. This ****ed composite gasket is $26 and it's generally not kept in stock locally. I wish they'd went with neoprene - my other bike has one and I've re-used it five times.

I think it's safe to say that I can ignore the copper and aluminum numbers on my next oil analysis report.

RM

PS. Any thoughts on what I can use as a gasket dressing that will enable it to be re-used? I thought about using some kind of high-temp grease, or maybe engine assembly lube.

[ August 27, 2002, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: richard612 ]

 

[richard612]

Funny you mention that... I've always been a strong advocate of Hylomar for just these reasons, but it let me down this last time. It tacked-up enough to allow for a rather significant amount of material transfer from the gasket to the mating surfaces (mostly the engine block).

Hylomar has worked great for me everywhere else.

MoleKule - The MSDS indicates:

1. DISTILLATES (PETROLEUM),
HYDROTREATED HEAVY
NAPHTHENIC

2. ALUMINIUM POWDER (PYROPHORIC)

3. GRAPHITE

4. MINERAL OIL

5. NAPHTHA (PETROLEUM), HYDROTREATED HEAVY

6. COPPER

7. LITHIUM SOAP

 

[MolaKule]

richard612,

Looks pretty clean and I wouldn't be too concerned with this stuff. It might skew your oil
analysis a bit toward copper, aluminum, and solids.

 

[richard612]

Just ran 50 miles with a cheapo $1/qt oil and drained it again. There was even more glitter in the oil this time around.

I think next time I'll try using a moly engine assembly lube on the gasket...