LT4 Water Pump Drive Seal...
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
LT4 Water Pump Drive Seal...
This is regarding a 1996 CE with LT4 and ZF6...
There's a water pump in my future. Seems most come with gaskets and o-ring, but not the drive seal. Does this need to be replaced as well? If so, best source and part number?
Will the opti, balancer etc. need to come off for the drive seal? Where do I get that specialty tool for the drive seal?
Thanks!
There's a water pump in my future. Seems most come with gaskets and o-ring, but not the drive seal. Does this need to be replaced as well? If so, best source and part number?
Will the opti, balancer etc. need to come off for the drive seal? Where do I get that specialty tool for the drive seal?
Thanks!
Last edited by racerseks; 08-22-2018 at 08:27 PM.
#2
Le Mans Master
I think you may be able to buy the tool. I read you can make one which was simple so you don’t damage the seal as you insert it. I have not done it in a long time but it was simple as I recall.
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#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks...Yea, I found one for about $25. Think it's worth doing, or leave it alone if it isn't leaking? Thanks!
#4
Le Mans Master
Yeah, the tool seems to be available on eBay. But just replacing the pump doesn't entail sliding anything through the seal. Also, the FSM doesn't call for automatic replacement of the seal just when replacing the pump. I think as you said it's only required if the seal is obviously leaking. However, I'd defer to others if they have more experience, since I've only taken the pump off once to get to my opti.
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Yeah, the tool seems to be available on eBay. But just replacing the pump doesn't entail sliding anything through the seal. Also, the FSM doesn't call for automatic replacement of the seal just when replacing the pump. I think as you said it's only required if the seal is obviously leaking. However, I'd defer to others if they have more experience, since I've only taken the pump off once to get to my opti.
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racerseks (08-24-2018)
#7
Le Mans Master
I don't think so, and I don't have it out to look at now. The coupler has rubber o-rings that need to be on there, though.
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racerseks (08-24-2018)
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Some pics look like there's something like that on the pump too. New one should be here Monday. Guess I will compare then. It does come with an o-ring. Just one, I think. Maybe you reuse one. Thanks!
#10
Le Mans Master
Here's a pic showing the two O-rings on each end of the coupler:
Since there is no fluid (oil or coolant) to seal there, I assume these are there to give a soft surface for the coupler ends to butt up against and damp any rattling that might otherwise occur without crushing the bearings in the pump or block.
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racerseks (08-29-2018)
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Every pic I see of the back of the pump shows a ball bearing in sight but no seal. There obviously is a seal somewhere in there to keep the coolant from leaking, but it doesn't appear to be serviceable from the outside. And it won't have oil circulating in the pump at all - that is supposed to stay behind the timing cover.
Here's a pic showing the two O-rings on each end of the coupler:
Since there is no fluid (oil or coolant) to seal there, I assume these are there to give a soft surface for the coupler ends to butt up against and damp any rattling that might otherwise occur without crushing the bearings in the pump or block.
Here's a pic showing the two O-rings on each end of the coupler:
Since there is no fluid (oil or coolant) to seal there, I assume these are there to give a soft surface for the coupler ends to butt up against and damp any rattling that might otherwise occur without crushing the bearings in the pump or block.