Intercooler O'Rings Lube

[Ronnie's.930]

Hello,

Is it necessary to use a special lube on the various orange, intercooler O' rings, or can one use lithium grease?

Ronnie

[A930Rocket]

I use silicone spray. Stay away from any petroleum based lube.

[Ronnie's.930]

Thanks - will do!

The main O'ring that really needs lube is the one that goes on the inside of the aluminum adapter for the K27 HF and the up-pipe . . . no joke, I must have about 8 hours (and a couple of torn seals) into fitting that damn thing !!!

R

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Thanks - will do!

The main O'ring that really needs lube is the one that goes on the inside of the aluminum adapter for the K27 HF and the up-pipe . . . no joke, I must have about 8 hours (and a couple of torn seals) into fitting that damn thing !!!

R

But of course...we all know that we need the "right" lube when handling our pipe!!!!

[RarlyL8]

I use silicone grease.

[Ronnie's.930]

"But of course...we all know that we need the "right" lube when handling our pipe!!!!"

Speak for yourself, slow&rusty; most any lube will work for my "pipe" !!! ; )

[Ag02M5]

Hmmm. I used Mobil 1 synthetic grease...sounds like the wrong choice?

[Zeroclearance]

I recommend "brake master assy" lube It is designed for seals/orings. The fine oil will not break down the seals. Your local Napa should have this in stock. Raybestos brand.

The lube is nice to have around the shop. It can be used for most viton seal installs.

Kevin

[fredmeister]

I use good ole vaseline.
Those seals are exposed to motor oil, so I don't see how petroleum based grease is any danger, unless soemone can explain I am missing something.
Lithium would work too, but you want something with a little stick and vaseline has more viscosity.

[JFairman]

Silicone o-rings will swell if you soak them in some petroleum based solvents, especially gasoline.
I've never soaked one in motor oil or petroleum base grease for a while and measured it with calipers to see if it swelled but there's a chance it will eventually.

I think the best thing to lube them would be silicone grease like you can get at some hardware stores or scuba dive supply places.
Vasaline would also work. It might liquefy at a much lower temperature and run off though.

A friend of mine installs swimming pools for a living and the pool pumps use alot of o-rings and he always has extra little plastic bottles of thick silicone oil made for installing 0-rings that come with new pool pumps and valves.
It works real well and has a thick viscosity kinda like STP.

[kleinbbc]

The last time I changed out the o-ring I went dry... This was after I cut two with lube and said what the Hell.

[A930Rocket]

Yeah, for some reason that one is a ***** to get on. Wait until you try to remove...

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

...

The main O'ring that really needs lube is the one that goes on the inside of the aluminum adapter for the K27 HF and the up-pipe . . . no joke, I must have about 8 hours (and a couple of torn seals) into fitting that damn thing !!!

R

[Ronnie's.930]

"Yeah, for some reason that one is a ***** to get on. Wait until you try to remove..."

The adapter has been on and off more times than I care to count - and I have several torn O'rings to prove it !!!!! I now keep quite a few of those on hand !!!

Ronnie

[RarlyL8]

I remove the adapter O-ring and thoroughly coat it with silicone grease. Re-install and index with soft taps using a rubber mallet. Once indexed a couple of firm blows seats it. Takes just a few minutes and a little patients.

[Craig 930 RS]

SiliGlide from NAPA, hands down the best.