Alternatives to Ford silicone sealants?

[tux850]

I will be removing and replacing the oil sump and timing belt cover on a 1L Ecoboost engine and Ford specifies a particular silicone sealant (specification WSE-M4G323-A4 / 2U7J-M4G323-AB). It looks like it costs around £25 for 50ml from Ford which I thought sounded a lot. Is the price because it is made from unicorn tears or are they just imposing a healthy markup because they can?

I was wondering what 'those in the know' do - do you go with exactly what is specified or are there 3rd party alternatives which are just the same / just as good, but cost less and are more readily available?

I am mindful that whilst it is not the end of the world to redo the sump if needs be (not that I'd want to, but if I had to) but the timing belt cover - being a wet belt inside - is a whole different beast with it's 10(?) hour book time for doing a belt replacement what with the million-and-one things that need removing first.

I feel like I am talking myself into just going for what's specified, but as I've written this out I will still ask the question anyway. Would you expect 50ml to be plenty for both of these jobs? If there's one thing worse than spending £25 on a tube of sealant it is finding out midway through application that I haven't bought enough!!

Edited by tux850 on Tuesday 3rd October 17:39

[stevieturbo]

There are probably dozens of sealants that would be perfectly fine.

It's just an engine, and it's just oil....same as any engine. So find it hard to imagine any sealant is so unique, there is only one kind that works.

[tux850]

stevieturbo said:

There are probably dozens of sealants that would be perfectly fine.

It's just an engine, and it's just oil....same as any engine. So find it hard to imagine any sealant is so unique, there is only one kind that works.

Thanks. Was thinking/assuming similar but was mindful there is every chance I may have been unaware of something that others might be well versed on.

For what it's worth I have since found from a Permatex OEM Chart that their 82180 Ultra Black product supposedly meets the WSE-M4G323-A4 spec (and more besides) and that seems to be available for around £12 for 90g (what this is equivalent to in ml I have no idea!).

Maybe I should stop procrastinating and get on with it. If the Ford stuff cost less than it does I wouldn't even be giving it a second thought and it is hardly bank-breaking sums we're talking.

[Lotobear]

Loctite 5980 flange sealant has always worked for me, even on notoriously leaky Lotus twincams - Halfords are usually cheaper than online suppliers

[tux850]

Lotobear said:

Loctite 5980 flange sealant has always worked for me, even on notoriously leaky Lotus twincams - Halfords are usually cheaper than online suppliers

Thanks - will take a look.

[5s Alive]

tux850 said:

Lotobear said:

Loctite 5980 flange sealant has always worked for me, even on notoriously leaky Lotus twincams - Halfords are usually cheaper than online suppliers

Thanks - will take a look.

Seconded - used it on a 2004 Panda diff casing, completely oil tight.

[xstian]

I would look at a company called Threebond. They make lots of different sealants for different applications. They also make a lot of OEM products such a Yammabond. Send them an enquiry email and I'm sure they will point you in the right direction.

I would be wary of a 1 product does it all sealant.

Edited to add,

Loctite probably make a good product for this application also, so no harm in sending a email enquiry to them as well.

Edited by xstian on Wednesday 4th October 06:29

[Lotobear]

5980 is an oil specific flange sealant as opposed to a generic goo so it will definately do the job and do it well. I've built several Lotus TC's and used it on the sump and cam covers and it works perfectly. It's one of a suite of their sealants for different applications, the others are for water joints and high temperature applications

[kev b]

I used Elring Dirko sealant available from factors or Ebay when I did a VW Tdi oil pump, VW rebrand it and charge double!

Since used it on various oily jobs with success.

Years ago I rebuilt a Chrysler Sebring autobox which uses a particularly slippery fluid, similar to the ZF/BMW fluid, I used the specific Chrysler sealant which cost £45 for a small toothpaste sized tube.

[stevemcs]

We only ever use the Ford stuff, it just works.

I don’t believe you need to remove the timing chain cover if your just dropping the sump

[Belle427]

Loctite or Permatex will work, the latter is very good in my experience.

[E-bmw]

This stuff is excellent.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225213597380?epid=21034...

As is this'

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225213597380?epid=21034...

[xstian]

Lotobear said:

5980 is an oil specific flange sealant as opposed to a generic goo so it will definately do the job and do it well. I've built several Lotus TC's and used it on the sump and cam covers and it works perfectly. It's one of a suite of their sealants for different applications, the others are for water joints and high temperature applications

I'm sure 5980 is a fine product, but there are lots of variables. For instance does the ecoboost have plastic or steel belt covers, does it need a flexible or hard setting sealant, are the mating surfaces flat or grooved?

I'm just suggesting an email enquiry to either Threebond or Loctite will make sure you get the correct product, unless you're re prepared to offer the OP a guarantee?

[tux850]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. As stevieturbo says, it is only logical that there would be numerous alternatives and as has been suggested I could find out from the manufacturers what specs their products meet. However, on reflection I can't help but feel if it is really worth trying to save £15 on what would otherwise be a £1000 job were I not doing it myself and so I may as well go for the product they explicitly specify. Potential alternatives noted though for other less applications so thanks again.

Edited by tux850 on Wednesday 4th October 11:38