I don't think I'd like that idea at all. Anti-freeze when constantly exposed to air gets very corrosive to aluminum - that's why your coolant pipes rot thru from the outside in, in the area just outside of the hose clamps, i.e. between the clamp and the outside end of the rubber tubing. My guess is that the engines that have rotted thru in that spot had cooling system leaks in that area that went unrepaired for a long time. I think the silicone thing may have similar issues, eventually trapping water and coolant in that area. Best thing is probably just to get in there, clean it up, and paint it with POR15, high-temp epoxy, or some similar high-quality, high temperature paint. Dave S --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Harold McElraft" <hmcelraft@xxxx> wrote: > John Hervey suggested filling with silicone - which I will probably > do soon when I get in there for a major tune-up. The other approach > would be to pour some antifreeze in there and let it "burn off". I > did this by accident once and the next time I got to examine the > area it was lined, under the trash, with an antifreeze goo that > seemed to protect the metal quite well. > > > > --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "ablemanse" <s.ableman@xxxx> wrote: > > List, > > > > I took a look at the square pockets below the internal water > pipe > > and found mine completly full of packed trash. I cleaned it with > soapy > > water and vacuumed it out. It is badly pitted near the bottom and > on > > the side of the walls. What would be a good fix?