Author Topic: water pump flange gasket? or only o-ring? (Read 2078 times)

nomad · « **on:** May 28, 2008, 09:06:57 AM »

OK, so here's something that's just dawned on me.
I do not recall a paper gasket on the water pump flange when I uninstalled the first time and I cannot see it on realOEM site. All i see/remember is the rubber O-ring around the impeller.

When i got my head gasket seal kit there was a water pump gasket in it (and O-ring). I used the gasket and have some coolant seepage around the flange. I thought the WP was bad even though it is new but now i'm wondering if the gasket gave a bad seal and is keeping the WP from bottoming out completely.

Anyone else have a WP gasket? Think I should remove water pump and reinstall without it there to see if it still leaks before I go buying a new one?

nomad · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2008, 09:46:45 PM »

little help?
I don't recall if it had one when it was running fine and I'm not sure why there was one in the kit. I'm thinking this gasket is the culprit?
Anyone use permatex on the flange when they installed the WP?

peerless · « **Reply #2 on:** May 29, 2008, 12:43:19 AM »

O- Ring only as I know. The M50 series engines also use only a O-ring, even a E46 I did had just a o-ring.

Where did you get the water pump and what brand? Also who was the manufacture of the gasket set you got?

Also as a note I just thought of. If your front housing bore is corroded where the seal seats then coolant can leak past the seal. This may be why they included a gasket? I would think a properly installed water pump with a seal and gasket would have no problems. I have seen people shift the gasket on installation causing a leak. Regarding RTV sealants, I really don't care for them. I use them only as a last resort. I use a aviation gasket setting compound and sealant.

nomad · « **Reply #3 on:** May 29, 2008, 01:44:59 AM »

the water pump gasket came in a headgasket set from victor reinz, it was just in there in the premade kit. Of course, they shorted me on valve cover bolt seals big time too.
Before this it did not leak, now it does and I only had the O-ring before. I think it's a graf WP? Or could be OEM.
Looks like I'll remove, clean and try again. What i think is that the gasket is not sealing and is maybe keeping it from completely setting into position?
I'll also take some tension off the belt when i reinstall.