Trust the crankcase seal?

I am working on my '82 XJ750. Just replaced the starter clutch.

I just rejoined the top and bottom crankcase. I used a instant gasket maker, the method I used came from a video from YouTube (Shane Conley), basically dab the sealant with your finger so it is thin and then join the 2 halves.

All went well, but the sealant was drying so fast, now I don't trust it, should I remove the halves and use a different technique, or different sealant?

Thanks in advance.

PS. I used Permatex 81878 Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker

 

You should be using either Threebond, Yamabond, or Locktite 518 (my prefrence since it's very easy to work with).
I would not trust any type of RTV for that application. It will work for a while, and then suddenly it won't.

 

We;d need to know what sealant you used to make that call. You should be using an anaerobic gasket maker for that application, anything else and you will have problems (i.e leaks and little pieces floating around in crankcase oil. Anaerobic "dries" when there is a lack of oxygen and is used on tight clearance situations like crankcase halves. There are some preferred brands, I'm sure someone will chime in.

 

Thank-you K-moe, so the first join of my crankcase was practice, I will split, and retry with 1 of your recommendations. (what ever my Auto store carries)

on another note.. The Torque specs seem so low, that I barely had to turn the bolts in to get my "Click" ..
Is this Normal? Most of my experience is as a shade tree mechanic, and much high torque specs.

 

The torque specs listed in the manuals are correct. Aluminum cases, and many bolts, require lower torque values.
My recommendation of the Locktite 518 (515 can also be used) is because it cures anaerobically (you can leave the unjoined case halves on the bench for days and not have to clean off the sealant to restart the job), and any excess that finds its way into the crankcases will harmlseesly mix with the oil, instead of hardening into boogers like the older sealants will. It's worthwhile to get even if you have to order it.

 

I have not had the greatest luck with the Locktite 518. Used it twice with oil leaks. The best success I have had is with the Yamabond. Worked the first time.

 

Did you check the cases for flatness and imperfections? The one weakness of the Locktite is that it's too thin to deal with much in the way of imperfections, where Threebond and its branded equivalents can.
I've never had any issues with the 518 myself.

 

I was swapping out the starter clutch. Did not see any reason to check the flatness of the cases. What would you do if the cases where not flat?

 

Ideally, send them out to be corrected. It's not a job that I'd recommend doing at home without prior experience, because it's easy to make things worse.
But since I'm part Scott (e.g. cheap) I'd use Threebond.

Given Yamaha's reputation, I'd take any defects as being indicitive of damage that was done by someone splitting the cases. That PO guy cannot be trusted with anything.