bcrain Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 I just bought this 88 Caterham last year and it is particularly leaky (engine, gearbox, diff etc.) bits of oil seem to be splattered on the underside, then seep through the seams of the sheet metal to the interior.THE QUESTION - is it common or accepted practice to run a bead of silicone rubber around the floor boards and tunnel seams to prevent this. I don't want to make it too hard to remove and replace a panel if it needs it. Is there a better product than the typical silicone RTV (normal US designation)? The faying surfaces have plenty of oil/dirt between them so a bead at the corner should be pretty easy to pull up when the time comes.Note, the mechanical refitment is scheduled for next year, but I want to do the interior now, so protection is in order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted August 5, 2018 Area Representative Share Posted August 5, 2018 Silicone should be ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADMALC Posted August 5, 2018 Share Posted August 5, 2018 Just a thought, why not use the time to clean all the oil from the engine, gear box and diff now. You will then be able to see exactly where the leaks are. After every run you then only need to mop up the hopefully small amounts of seepage.It also unlikely that the silicone will effectively adhere to an oily surface.Although the oil may be unsightly it is protecting the steel and ally very effectively so there are some plus points to your predicament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcrain Posted August 6, 2018 Author Share Posted August 6, 2018 Madmalc, that seems very reasonable. But, the last time I did that kind of thing, a leaky toilet turned into new toilet, refurbished shower, redone walls, ceiling, new sink & cabinet, new leveled tile floor, replacing door along with lintel/frame and fully remodeling the basement kitchen ... There was more too that all added up to 8 months. These days I'm very sensitive to mission creep. I just hope I don't end up creating a new mission like that yellow 7 did.PS. The interior is really clean now except really deep in the corners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Cooper Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Seems to be a paper over the cracks job.Wouldn't sorting the problems be a better option - they are not meant to leak! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcrain Posted August 6, 2018 Author Share Posted August 6, 2018 I hear you Colin, but too big of an option for my present obligations in life.Thanks to all for the perspectives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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