So, I'm a water pump moron

Wow, I feel a little better seeing all the differing opinions. Okay, going to order a new gasket (or three). Rockauto show three - who makes the better gasket?

BECK/ARNLEY, FEL-PRO, or VICTOR REINZ

yes

( you're welcome )

I take and smear rtv grey on both sides of gasket thinly pinching the gasket between fingers.

When I was working for an old guy as a mechanic while his broken hand healed he told me this: put a smooth thin layer on the part, let it sit. When you can touch it, and its still tacky, but doesn't come off on your finger put the Gasket on it. Another thin layer, let sit but not as long, put everything together hand tight let it sit for another 10 min and torque it to spec or clamp it down. Haven't had a Gasket leak yet following that procedure.

I imagine the pinched lightly between two fingers spreading a thin layer on both sides process would work, thereby skipping a step. But definitely let it set up.

I recently did a waterpump on my moms '03 Taurus (Non Duratec) and had a similiar issue. It was leaking horribly after replacement, disassembled to find a small piece of the paper gasket in the corner. New gasket, a very thing layer of "The Grey Stuff".... No more leaks, but still didn't help the fact I had to redo it...

In reply to Spinout007:

That sounds like a plan to me. Thanks for the practical experience. I'll do it just that way and see what happens!

And thanks, wbjones. Point taken!

ransom wrote: Not to threadjack, but perhaps the answer will be pertinent to the OP as well... If "no" to RTV **plus** gasket, when would you guys use RTV instead of a gasket? Only when no gasket available? Gasket is of questionable construction? Surfaces aren't smooth/flat? Always? ????

when i don't have an empty Lucky Charms box around to make a gasket..

Well, I did get the water pump on tonight but didn't get the rest of the car back together so have to wait 'till morning to see how I did. I let the RTV, uh, v at rt for a bit this time. It didn't all squish out this time, so that's a good sign. It seems like it went better.

Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how it goes when I fire it up.

I hate RTV it leaks on me 9 times out of 10 half the time it won't dry the other half of the time it won't stick. That goes for following torque specs and all instructions available. It isn't supposed to stick to old rtv and the stuff gets impregnated in cast aluminum, what are you supposed to do?!

I have called the manufacturers before and they said it only has a limited shelf life but it isn't marked on the package

belteshazzar wrote: use a gasket and a shelac OR a good RTV like permatex grey whenever i try and use both, i have a problem.

^^What he said. although i will use a this spray called coppercoat alot. always works.

Shelf life of RTV is critical. I always use fresh stuff. If you open a tubbe and you get a clear liquid out of it toss it. The stuff has seperated and will not work corectly.

novaderrik wrote:

ransom wrote: Not to threadjack, but perhaps the answer will be pertinent to the OP as well... If "no" to RTV **plus** gasket, when would you guys use RTV instead of a gasket? Only when no gasket available? Gasket is of questionable construction? Surfaces aren't smooth/flat? Always? ????

when i don't have an empty Lucky Charms box around to make a gasket..

A sheet of gasket material and a small ball peen hammer makes it easy. also better than having to go out to get or order gaskets Used to be SOP back in the day.

In reply to fast_eddie_72:

This gasket shellac has never failed me on many water pumps I've installed through the years:

Personally I've found regular blue or orange RTV to be messy and useless. I know some people swear by it though.

Also, is there torque sequence on the water pump housing? If not maybe start from the center and work your way outwards?

mblommel wrote: In reply to fast_eddie_72: This gasket shellac has never failed me on many water pumps I've installed through the years:

^ bingo

I like the hight temp black / grey permetex short of a head gasket I use it on just about everything. Just read the directions and follow to the letter with repect to drying times and fastening parts down. I have never had an issue.

Well, I used gray RTV. Everything seems to be okay this time. I cleaned the crap out of everything. Got a decent scraper and that got 99% of it, then I went over everything with brake cleaner and a Scotch pad. I put RTV on the pump and spread it thin and as evenly as I could. Then I put the gasket on. I let that sit for ten minutes. I did try to clean up anything that squished out when I set the gasket, particularly on the inside of the pump. After ten minutes I cleaned up the bolt holes and put another very thin layer on the gasket. I let that sit for a few minutes, then put it on with the bolts just finger tight and waited a few more minutes. When I torqued it down nothing squished out this time, so I was feeling more confidant that I'd gotten it.

Scared the crap out of me when I took it for a test drive, though. I pulled over to check and there was a fair bit of steam. But when I looked it seemed to be just burning off of the engine and radiator when coolant had gotten them wet when I took everything apart. Drove some more and when I got back to the shop there was no more steam. Everything is a mess, so I'll need to clean it up to see if its really sealed, but so far so good.

Excelent!!!!

gaskacinch used according to directions on can

In reply to fast_eddie_72:

Good to hear, glad I could be of some help.

4g63t wrote: gaskacinch used according to directions on can

I always used a Caterpillar gasket glue that was similar, until they discontinued it. Never understood the point of a gasket if you're just going to smear silicone on both sides of it.

I'll use RTV in the little corners of rubber valve cover gaskets and that's about all. For mating machined aluminum surfaces I'll use a new paper gasket of perfectly clean surfaces. If a gasket isn't available I'll use either Three Bond 1104 grey (aka Yamabond 3) or Loctite 518.

Paper gasket on steel or iron I like gasket shellac.

And my E36 M3 don't leak.

Spinout007 wrote: In reply to fast_eddie_72: Good to hear, glad I could be of some help.

I followed your directions to the letter and seems to have done the trick!

Thank you!

Gearheadotaku wrote: Time for the "Right Stuff" Permatex's expensive but invincible RTV.

This man speaks the truth. Right Stuff gray.....stops any leak, anywhere, any time.

i live and die with ultra copper rtv. never had something leak when using it.