What's this gunk?

[moribundman]

Years ago I bought a tube of a non-hardening, non-curing, sticky black goop that could be used as a sealant and adhesive. It's perfect for sealing cracked weather stripping or for sealing cracks or for sticking wiring to the chassis. I used it for the latter. I don't have the tube anymore and I can't find this stuff anywhere. The guys in the auto parts stores give me a blank stare and point only at RTV, although I even brought them a sample. It's a substance that resembles polymer clay, but it's very tacky, almost like hot bitumen. What is it called and where do I get it?

 

[Shannow]

butyl mastic ?

one drop on exposed skin spreads to the entire outfit and hair ?

Used to use it as a non hardening windscreen and grommet sealer.

 

[moribundman]

Exactly. I brought my sample in a polybag, but one guy just had to touch it. I'm sure he's now covered in goo from head to toe.

Sealing rubber grommets is actually what I have in mind. I am about to start a rewiring project and have to make sure my ECU box remains water-resistent.

I googled "butyl mastic" and that must be it. I guess a hardware store should carry it, possibly in the plumbing section? Or maybe a marine supplies shop?

 

[Shannow]

Local car parts store still has it (he's owner of a GTHO falcon, so it's in period).

I'll check tomorrow, PM me (an address), and I'll send you a tube.

(It'll be a change to have U.S. customs dissecting my packages rather than Oz customs dissecting Molakule's)

 

[moribundman]

I "think" I bought a tube years ago at a Kmart or some place like that. I'm sure I can find it now that I know what it is. Sending a tube would be way to much trouble, though the offer it appreciated! This stuff looks suspiciously like plastique. I'm sure mailing it isn't ideal.

 

[Shannow]

my thoughts exactly...why I thought it would be a good idea

 

[moribundman]

They'd put you on the no fly list in no time.

 

[Shannow]

what, I'm not on it already ?

 

[moribundman]

Some folks are worried by the vacuum reservoir's odd shape (highlighted):

On the driver side, you can see the ECU box near the windscreen bottom. That's where I need to route some wiring and where I have to seal some grommets.

 

[Shannow]

Hmmmm...

You'll need a decent amount of form-work, and quite a few tubes of gunk to ensure that you'll get a decent seal...might affect the wheel alignment, as it's weighty.

It will also fill in that bright spot on your picture.

BTW, "vacuum reservoir" is that an English concept ?

 

[andyd]

seam sealer???? ask an autobody guy about dum dum

 

[moribundman]

Quote:

---

Hmmmm...

You'll need a decent amount of form-work, and quite a few tubes of gunk to ensure that you'll get a decent seal...might affect the wheel alignment, as it's weighty.

---

I think once ounce will be enough!

Quote:

---

BTW, "vacuum reservoir" is that an English concept ?

---

I guess. Not that it holds vacuum. In German I'd call it a "low pressure canister" (Unterdruckdose). The "stored vacuum" is used to switch the variable intake manifold at a certain RPM when the intake manifold switchover solenoid is energized. The OEM reservoir is a ball (looks like Leia's "thermal detonator" from ROTJ) that is inconveniently mounted under the IM near the coils. Hence the relocated, tube-shaped ghetto reservoir.

 

[moribundman]

Quote:

---

seam sealer???? ask an autobody guy about dum dum

---

I don't know about seam sealer. Won't they look funny if I ask for dum dum?

 

[CivicFan]

Quote:

---

my thoughts exactly...why I thought it would be a good idea

---

Does it spread when it's on skin? Or is it that it's impossible to clean?

 

[oilyriser]

DUM DUM

 

[JHZR2]

go to home depot... look in the section here they have all the crimp-on connectors and whatnot.

There is junk that looks like a block of clay, 1.5" wide and maybe 10" long. Its the non-curing, sticky goop that they use to plug/weatherproof electrical conduit. Its usually on one of the lower shelves.

Perfect for plugging junk, etc.

a vacuum cannister from w123 MB diesels might hold more and be a bit more usable form factor(???). it would likely fit OK under the hood.

JMH

 

[moribundman]

Ho, ho ho, off to The Home Despot we go.

The vacuum canister I'm using is custom-made and matches the volume of the OEM one. It works fine. The issue was never with the shape of the OEM container, but with the vacuum tube routing (under the intake manifold). The ball-shaped reservoir does not fit well in the new location. Th canister I'm using is a popular and known item in Audi 80/90/100/A4 (B5) circles.

 

[moribundman]

Here it is: one pound for two bucks.

 

[sprintman]

My Phase III had a vacuum reservoir. With a lumpy solid lifter cam you need one or no brakes. Those were the days IMO.

 

[Shannow]

I still have a problem with the term "vacuum reservoir".

At work, we have vacuum lines that show the direction of the vacuum...I hate them.