Oil leaks

[jjbardell]

I am looking to be proactive. I have a metal cam plug and a grooved case. Should I permatex it during assembly or only afterward?

I permatexed the cam plug during assembly, all the way around. It's never leaked.

[mike.smith]

I am looking to be proactive. I have a metal cam plug and a grooved case. Should I permatex it during assembly or only afterward?

During assembly, definitely. That's what's in the assembly instructions. I've done it that way and never had a leak in over 200 hours.

[Bryan Cotton]

Would you seal it with the aviation form a gasket #3 or RTV as some mention here? If I read my manual right it says install the cam plug and then permatex the case halves.

[NWade]

Would you seal it with the aviation form a gasket #3 or RTV as some mention here? If I read my manual right it says install the cam plug and then permatex the case halves.

I urge everyone to read their own Aerovee manual carefully. The information there should supersede anything I say below; but I find it very clearly spelled out in my manual.

I'm assembling an Aerovee Turbo and my instruction manual (Rev B from Aug 5, 2015) is very clear: Under "Crank Case Assembly" step #15 (on page 17) says "Apply Permatex #3 sealant to the edge of the cam plug and install it in the cam plug bore..."

Additionally, if you watch the Aerovee Assembly DVD, you can see Joe Norris clearly applying a thin film of Aviation Form-A-Gasket (Permatex #3) to the cam plug - and the case halves where the cam plug is inserted - then pressing the cam plug into position and witnessing a small amount of squeeze-out. See images below. Note that its not clearly shown in the video, but the other half of the cam plug is sealed by applying Permatex #3 to the cam plug area of the other case half just before you assemble the case.

cam_plug_sealant.png (334.35 KiB) Viewed 3724 times

--Noel
Sonex #1339
TD, Center-Stick, Flush Pulled Rivets, Acro-Ailerons, Aerovee Turbo

[Bryan Cotton]

Thanks Noel! The previous rev of the manual didn't say that. Off to download the newest...

[Bryan Cotton]

Interesting - the 80 HP aerovee manual I just downloaded is the same. Perhaps I should look at the turbo manual too.

Edit: the turbo manual is as you say.

[Klimek]

Bryan,
Use Permatex #3 on the case and plug. Also the plug has a certain amount of "crush" and should be replaced if for some reason you have to reopen the case after assembly and torquing all case bolts.
Frank
Onex 090
Being polished after 70 hours
What a pain
Help!