When you apply the RVT, install the cover (torque bolts, etc), how long should you wait before adding fluid? I did mine today, and let the RTV (Permatex Ultra-Blue) cure for about 4 hours before adding Mobil1 gear oil. Some ran down the outside of the cover, and it looks like it's disolving the bead pushed out during the tightening procedure. Overall, it's been a bad week for the front differential cover in general. My "vented" Mag-Hytec cover pukes quarts of oil in several days of highway driving. It's all over the left front suspension and stinks too. So today, I went back to the stock cover. Now, this is all I need to finish off the week!

 

When I did mine, I used Permatex Ultra Black, which is oil resistant. I made sure that both surfaces were clean and oil free. I used a generous bead (maybe 3/16 inch) on the cover, circling around the bolt holes, let it set for 5 minutes, and installed the cover without smearing the bead. Torque the bolts to 30 ft/lbs and let dry for 1 hour. Then refill. I've never had one leak. Good Luck!

 

The most important thing is clean. Wipe it down with alcohol or something, make sure it is really clean and dry. Put the sylicone on bolt it up and fill it up. Before all this fancy stuff came out we used hardware store tubes of sylicone, clear stuff in the big tube, never had a problem. Today it is best to use RTV but oil does not bother it.

 

I prefer to use the Mopar 82300234 differential cover gray RTV sealer. It works everytime and is specifically for this application. Around $6.00 a tube at your local dealer.

Joe

 

Thanks for your responses. I came out this morning, and there were several drips on the cardboard I layed underneath the cover. I don't know whether its from spillage while filling or if it's leaking. I'm going to keep an eye on it for several days before pulling the cover off and trying again. I'm leaning towards the Mopar sealant the next time, Poolman, but I'll keep the Ultra-Black in mind. The major difference between the blue and the black in the cure time. The black stuff is faster according to Permatex.

Tom

 

Just had mine changed at Dealer (last Wed) and they used a grey gasket goup, I asked about it and they said Dodge had recently changed from the black to this grey because they where having trouble with the black bubbling. Not sure of part number but something to keep in mind. Oh yea, they let it sit a whole 5 mins before refilling and no leaks yet. Charged me $28 (rear only) and I took in my own oil. i put Scheaffer's 267 in (80W-90) as I don't do a lot of towing.

good luck commatoze.

EDIT: : just read poolmans response... thats probably what they used.

 

DuaneWKKC,

The "grey gasket goup" as you called it is the Mopar p/n82300234.

Joe

 

Well, today a colleague talked me into something called Hondabond. He even offered to pick it up for me as he was stopping by a dealership on the way home. Lemme see, 0 miles for Hondabond, 18 miles for Mopar? : :- . He assures me it's the only stuff he uses, "goop it and go" he says. But so far tonight, no drips from the cover.

 

I used the Ultra Copper RTV. Filled the diff immediately after I put the cover on. NO leaks at all....

 

I use the orange/red high temp RTV.
No leaks ever, filled immediately.

--Justin