How do I seal my water pump?

[red9535]

Well, the ONLY thing stopping me from driving my Mustang is I can't get my water pump to seal. I've been screwing around with it for weeks, and finally I said screw it.. today I pulled off the fan, belt, pushed alternator aside, and pulled off the water pump.

I'm cleaning up the gasket surfaces.. getting new gaskets, silicone, bolts, etc..

Can someone tell me EXACTLY what I need to do to get this to seal WELL? For some reason I just couldn't get it before..

A list of bolts (with sizes) would be very helpful.. i think part of the probelm was my bolts weren't gripping on the bottom.. Then any tricks or procedures to the gasket sealing and installation?

Thanks.. I'm getting really frusturated.. hopefully someone who really knows what they are talking about will chime in.. :help2:

 

[Paul]

Check the mating surface on the timing cover to ensure it doesn't suck.

 

[ryclef331]

MAKE SURE the surfaces are clean and flat. Clean them thoroughly with brake cleaner. Use either black RTV silicone OR (i prefer) permatex "gasket sealant." It looks like molasses and is just as sticky. Its used to thread sealer on your bolts as well. Apply thin layer of sealant to the mating surfaces, position the gasket on either one....install while STILL wet. Put in all the bolts and just SNUG them down....wait about 15 minutes for the sealant to start to tack up....then go back and tighten them all down. I don't know the bolt sizes off the top of my head at all though but if you do the above...especially with permatex gasket sealant....I'd bet money it doesn't leak.

 

[NYC94GT]

Well, the ONLY thing stopping me from driving my Mustang is I can't get my water pump to seal. I've been screwing around with it for weeks, and finally I said screw it.. today I pulled off the fan, belt, pushed alternator aside, and pulled off the water pump.

I'm cleaning up the gasket surfaces.. getting new gaskets, silicone, bolts, etc..

Can someone tell me EXACTLY what I need to do to get this to seal WELL? For some reason I just couldn't get it before..

A list of bolts (with sizes) would be very helpful.. i think part of the probelm was my bolts weren't gripping on the bottom.. Then any tricks or procedures to the gasket sealing and installation?

Thanks.. I'm getting really frusturated.. hopefully someone who really knows what they are talking about will chime in.. :help2:

Be sure you are using two gaskets. Yes, two. I made this mistake of trying one and the impeller scraped the water pump backing plate on the engine. Use sealant between them to hold in place.

 

[Mr. OAM]

Be sure to tighten the bolts in a pattern that evenly applies pressure. Do one bolt, then one across the pump from it, then back to the first side, and so on. Tighten them to spec. Too tight and things will distort and leak.

As mentioned clean surfaces are of the utmost importance.

Steve

 

[monkeydude3]

I'm a fan of the RTV Super Black silicone sealant. Just make sure you have both surfaces clean, shiny and smooth, and put a layer of the RTV on either side of the gasket.