Coolant on water pump bolt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
Coolant on water pump bolt
found a drop of coolant on the bolt heads of the driver's side of water pump. The pump is new. I assume the bolt holes go into the water jacket and the seep is from there. How do you seal a bolt?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
your spot on. drain it. dry out threads and reinstall with ample permatex on the threads - also called aviation sealant. lovely black sticky stuff it is. put it on both sides of your waterpump gaskets as well.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...+No.+3+Sealant
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...+No.+3+Sealant
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Sep 9, 2009 at 04:14 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
Loctite RTV Silicone Blue Gasket Maker does a good job too on bolt threads.
Threads must be dry before you apply sealant and wait at least 2 or 3 hours before you fill again with coolant. Wait 24 hours if air temperature is very low.
Threads must be dry before you apply sealant and wait at least 2 or 3 hours before you fill again with coolant. Wait 24 hours if air temperature is very low.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Just remove the bolt, dry it off, put some non-hardening Permatex gasket sealant on the threads and put the bolt back in. If the threaded hole is leaking coolant, just plug it till you intall the bolt.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
no just the bolts........leave the pump in place i would only do it on the bolts that are weeping and i use the sealent that is made for it.....now realize that if you take out a bolt that is in the water jacket you will be greeted with an out pouring of radiator fluid and emotion.....i am not sure how many (if any) of those bolts are in the water jacket it could be its just creeping by the gasket sealer you used
Last edited by bobs77vet; Sep 9, 2009 at 03:52 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Just get [or make] a rubber plug for a 3/8" threaded hole and do them one at a time. Those bolts are only inches below the highest level of water in the block...there will be no "gushing" water. Remove bolt, install plug, dry bolt, add sealant to bolt threads (I would not recommend using silicone sealant...Permatex gasket sealer is better), pull plug and install bolt. Then go to the next one. {P.S. Mark the ones you've done. 
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Here is the correct sealer, but almost any will work.
Permatex RTV Silicone.
It's best to drop the coolant level, clean and dry the threads, apply sealant, reinstall and at least let sit overnite before filling, but if really in a rush, fill and use.
Permatex RTV Silicone.
It's best to drop the coolant level, clean and dry the threads, apply sealant, reinstall and at least let sit overnite before filling, but if really in a rush, fill and use.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 60
From: USA
I use the teflon thread sealant (white stuff) on the bolt threads. I use the black RTV for the WP gaskets.
However, I also put teflon thread sealant on the underside of the washer that's under the bolt, and also under the bolt seat so that if coolant happens to get past the bolt threads, it doesn't get past the washer and bolt head. just extra insurance for the long term (e.g. 10 yrs).
However, I also put teflon thread sealant on the underside of the washer that's under the bolt, and also under the bolt seat so that if coolant happens to get past the bolt threads, it doesn't get past the washer and bolt head. just extra insurance for the long term (e.g. 10 yrs).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
rtv and or silicone should not be used on any gasket or connection that seals antifreeze....if you must go silicone then a special gray ( waterpump) sealer is available or go the regular permatex method..good luck.....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
Ok, so....
drained coolant, removed two leaking bolts and added sealer then put it back. Bottom bolt stopped leaking, top still is. I am think the white plumbers tape to seal. Any problems know by using that?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I typically use the white tefoln paste. It's T5 or something like that. I've never had a problem when using that stuff. It's non hardening and I use it for the water pump and intake manifold bolts (that go into the water jackets).
