Water pump seal-ing?

[Sundowner]

Hi,

Regarding Water pump sealing, I'd like your advice.

As far as I can make out, excluding gaskets, there are 3 areas where a water pump can leak coolant.
1) There's a spring loaded upper water pump seal that bears on the flat at the base of the impeller, right? (I know, make certain that the impeller base gets a skim/faced)
2) The base of this same seal fits snugly into the top of the brass cage, right?
3) Where the cage fits into the block, the only thing stopping any coolant seeping between the block and the cage is the large "O" ring around the cage? Is that right?

If so, would it be a good idea to run some sort of sealant around the top lip of the cage before re-inserting it into the block, to aid the "O" ring? Or wouldn't it?
And what about the base of the seal where it fits into the cage? Should that have some sort of sealant applied there too.

Cheers,
Rob

[tony g]

Theres 2 o rings on the cage Rob. Some people have used sealant around those too but if the surface in the block is nice and smooth there shouldnt be any need. I havent heard of using sealant on the top seal to cage either but maybe someone has.

Cheers

Tony

[Sundowner]

Tony,
Thanks for answering.
I thought the lower "O" ring was for oil.....but I wouldn't be asking these questions if I knew for sure.
I suppose sealing the top "O" ring and the top lip of the cage couldn't hurt. Likewise the bottom of the seal into the cage.
I expect that it would make any future removal just that little bit more difficult, but hey, its a b^%%#r of a job anyway, and 5% more grief wont be noticed.
Again, Thanks,
Rob

[tony g]

Yes it is for oil really. It stops oil going upwards and the top one stops water going downwards.. I know its a pain to remove but if the sealings area in the block look good and smooth I'd just grease the o rings up and go for it. Based on the marks you saw on the underside of the impeller its likely thats your problem. When fully fitted do a coolant pressure test BEFORE adding coolant. It'll take some pumping cos of the air in there but any leaks will be noisy when using a pipe to listen through. I did this first time I fitted a brass bung instead of a water pump and it paid off because the o rings leaked on mine, so the repair can be made without the watery mess

Tony

[GTS290N]

And remember to fit the drain plug before filling with coolant.
Simple really, only an idiot would forget. Again.
I'm off to dry my feet.

[trackerjack]

When I install a water pump I use a smear of grease round these O rings and curse those that don't because when you try to remove the brass cage in later years they have seized.

[Mad Mart]

When I install a water pump I use a smear of grease round these O rings and curse those that don't because when you try to remove the brass cage in later years they have seized.