As many of you know, an E-350 won't clear a standard garage door, so you're stuck doing the work outdoors. I recently developed a hole in the front engine/timing cover. I want to fix it but am not sure how well high temp gasket sealer perforems around freezing. Most silicone says to apply above 50 F. There are probably several reasons, ranging from curing to warm silicone in cold air prabably gets condensate on it and won't stick well to your application. I have some stuff for general repairs I found that can be gunned below freezing and have done some chimney and truck roof repairs in those conditions. But it's not for high temp apps.

So, has anyone had to do gasket work when it was 30-45 F outside?

There is a do-it yourself garage about an hour from me and I could get there without spewing more than a quart of oil around the engine compartment. Will 1-2 hours indoors after the fix be enough to get the gasket goo to take hold?

stay warm my friends.

 

Most RTV sealants will cure even in temps below their stated best practices conditions---time to full cure and therefore when something can be returned to use becomes the issue in some cases. Your thoughts on reasons why its not advisable are very much spot on.

You could try warming your front cover with something like a flood light aimed at the repair area first. I'm thinking one of those clamp-on lamp holders:Amazon.com: Designers Edge E-245 Incandescent Clamp Light, 6-Foot Cord: Home Improvement Should be enough room under hood for this.

I'd warm the surface first past being comfortable to hold your fingers against the front cover, allowing it to cool before rapidly applying the sealant to fix the hole/leak. Afterwards re-apply the lamp but further away so not to cure the RTV too quickly, wanting it to form a strong bond to the front cover first.

Even if this wouldn't be a permanent fix it'd survive long enough to for the weather to change or you get to a nice indoor garage for a few hours.

Just an idea...............

 

I would also like to add if you have a block heater, plugging it in will warm up the entire engine and this will also help in curing the RTV...