So your car parts are leaking, and your trusty vehicle just isn’t working as it should be.

What now?

Before you pull the trigger on an expensive auto repair visit, give this guide a read. As it turns out, you may not need to head to the mechanic for most basic fixes. It’s time to pick up your caulk gun, a utility knife, and some silicone, and get into action. Believe it or not, you may be able to identify the issue, fix your leak, and make sure your car is ready to roll, all at home using silicone sealant.

To help you fix your leaking car parts with silicone, we have put together this handy step-by-step guide to walk you through every step of the process.

How To Fix Leaking Car Parts With Silicone (Step-By-Step)

Fixing leaking car parts with silicone is a simpler process than you might imagine if you use all of the right materials and take it step-by-step. You’ll want to start by identifying the leak so you can work on the right areas of your vehicle; next, you’ll need to prepare the vehicle for your repairs. Finally, you can apply the silicone caulk and give your vehicle a test drive.

Let's go into deeper detail about all of the steps to fixing leaking car parts with silicone, including exactly how to prepare for your repair and how to go through with every part of the process.

Identify The Leak

Before you start taking action and sealing up your leaking car parts with silicone, you need to identify from where the issue stems. To find a leak if you suspect one, look for puddles underneath your car. You can identify the type, location and severity of the leak based on the color of puddle and amount of oil within it. A black puddle or glob coming out of your car, for example, is evidence of an oil leak in the gasket that can be repaired with heat.

Once you identify the type and location of the leak, you can begin work on repairing it. It’s time to get your materials together and get going!

Elevate Your Car

Before working on your car in any way, you should elevate it with a jack. This will give you better access to most parts of your car, as well as help keep you safe during the repair process. This might also help you identify any lingering issues, leaks, or other problems with your vehicle that you were unable to identify before.

Gather Your Materials

Now that your car is ready for you to work on, you should take this opportunity to get all of the materials you need for the process in place. A piece of paper is always a handy tool for writing down notes, measurements, and more. You’ll need a jack to elevate your car, a bucket to hold any fluids, a wrench, and some silicone gasket sealant. You’ll also need a caulk gun, though many silicone sealants come with a caulk gun included so you won’t need to purchase it separately.

The type of silicone sealant you choose for this project is extremely important, as working with automotive requires a specific type of material. The best type of sealant for working with automotive parts is a high-temp sealant, which won’t crack, bend, or otherwise be negatively affected by your car’s everyday workings. This is similar to the same type of silicone caulk that you use to seal windows and doors, but it is more resistant to heat exposure and high-pressure environments.

It is not a good idea to use typical silicone sealant on automotives, as it does not respond well to high pressure and heat exposure. This is why we strongly recommend ensuring that you purchase a silicone sealant that is made to be used in high-temperature conditions, such as Silicone Depot’s Xtreme Gasket 100% RTV Silicone Sealant Gasket-Maker.

Clean the Surface

Before jumping into the caulk application, clean the surface thoroughly. Use a mildew-resistant cleaning solution. Scrub away dirt, debris, old caulk, etc. You need the area to be completely clean and dry before applying any caulk.

If you notice any particularly stubborn materials, use box cutters or utility knives to scrape existing caulk.

Apply Silicone Sealant

Now that your car is elevated and all of your materials are prepared, it’s finally time to go through with the main part of the process and apply the silicone sealant. If you have ever used silicone sealant or caulk before, you might be familiar with the process of how to apply the caulk and silicone. Considering that all the different types of caulk are unique, though, it might still be beneficial to look over a quick refresher on how to properly use a tube of caulk or silicone.

Essentially, you will use your silicone to instantly replace the gasket. First, you’ll want to section off the area of the car you’re working on using painter's tape. Apply the painter's tape so you can load a caulk gun with silicone sealant. Hold your caulk gun at a 45-degree angle where the gasket should be. Next, squeeze the trigger and release the silicone. Continue carefully applying caulk lines until the gasket is filled in, taking care to apply them as carefully and neatly as possible. Push the caulk to smooth it out using a utility knife, putty knife, or gloved finger.

Drive Your Car Around The Block

Before you pack up your things and call it a day on repairing your car’s leaking parts with silicone, you should ensure that the job is done correctly by giving your vehicle a brief 15 to 20-minute drive around the block. Of course, you must wait until any caulk is dry.

During this time, you can determine if there are any further leaks or issues with your vehicle. You can determine at this time whether you need to apply any caulk remover or apply more silicone to ensure that your car does not leak or run into any further issues.

If you find that your car is still leaking even after you’ve reapplied sealant, it might be time to take your car to a mechanic. While silicone sealant can do wonders for helping you repair leaking car parts at home, some damage needs to be looked at by a professional to prevent ongoing issues and more damage.

The Best Silicone For Your Automotive Needs

If you’re looking to seal leaking car parts with silicone, it’s important to use the right type of silicone so you can make sure that your repairs last. For automotive repairs, you’ll need a durable silicone that is resistant to high temperatures and can create an extremely long-lasting and powerful seal. After all, cars see a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis.

For all of your automotive silicone needs, look no further than Silicone Depot. Check out our catalog of dedicated automotive products to find the perfect silicone sealant for your next project!