Oil Leak Sealant--Silastic 732

[Targalid]

I have had a persistent oil leak from the cam chain idler pulley support shaft hole. Wayne's engine rebuilding book recommends sealing this common leak while the engine is out using an epoxy such as JB Weld. Recently "UWANNA" posted a Porsche Tech Bulletin (number 8911 from 1989) about sealing engine case leaks with Silastic 732 RTV sealant. I decided to try it on my leak and it seems to have worked! First I steam cleaned the engine to remove the bulk of the oil. I then followed that cleaning with ethyl acetate and methylene chloride to dry the area. Finally I applied a small dab of Silastic 732 sealant, over the end of the shaft and onto the surrounding cam tower, perhaps 1-2 mm thick and a centimeter around the shaft hole. It dries to the touch, according to the packaging, in five minutes, hard in 24 hours, with full strength achieved in a week. I still have my other oil leaks but that really bad one is gone. Thanks to UWANNA for posting this 25 year old knowledge on sealing oil leaks. I ordered my Silastic 732 from Amazon. Here is a link to the Pelican forum showing the Tech Bulletin:
Engine Oil Cooler Seals