I used silicone to seal up my entire airbox for the snorkel. This dude is tweaking me out, he's saying that somehow, someway silicone is going to get into my engine and he mentioned something about catalyst and emissions, this, that, and the other thing.

Think I should replace this with something like aircraft sealant?

 

id be more worried about the pvc pipe, when it gets hot it releases a corrosive gas...

 

Silicone, when used in subwoofer boxes can deteriorate the speaker cones and suspension, but only if the fumes are still there. When building sub boxes, you're supposed to let the silicone dry and let the fumes go away (a couple days) before you put it back in.

That's my experience in the matter.

 

I'd be more worried abou the dude freaing out, make sure he doesn't have sharp things

 

The vapors from ordinary silicone sealer can damage oxygen sensors even when applied to the intake side of the engine. Always use the special "oxygen sensor safe" silicone sealer for anything related to the engine or near the intake. It will be clearly marked on the package if it is safe for O2's.

 

Snorkel dude, not speaker box...

I use 100% silicone in my aquarium to hold the plants and stuff down.(common practice) I have 2 large schools of tetra. They are really sensitive to osmotic stress, and are likely to die first if anything "bad" is in the water They are alive and kicking, for several months now...I think your engine will live...

 

*******

 

Bob is correct. It can cause damage to the O2 sensors and catalyst.

 

The PVC gets to be warm to the touch that's about it...

Thanks guys

I didn't start the truck up after the install til the next day. I didn't want any silicone getting sucked into the intake, didn't even think about fumes. It was 90% cured I'd say. So after the initial fumes are released is there any effect the cured silicon would bring about?

 

I think at this point the Silicone is completely cured since you made the snorkel a few weeks ago.

 

Well now I know for future projects =].

How do you know if your 02 sensor is bad and how often are you suppose to change it?

 

Typical Silicone produces acetic acid when it cures. If the silicone does not have that vinegar smell to it any more it should be safe to use. Electronic grade silicone produces alcohol during the cure mechanism. I would assume the oxygen sensor safe silicone is the same.

I don't know how a small amount of acetic acid vapor damages oxygen sensors but I will take Bob's word for it. Alcohol vapor would burn in the cylinder along with the fuel.