My water-pump is leaking at the gasket all over my freshly painted oil pan and exhaust. I have 82k on engine. Should I buy a new water-pump for 40 dollars or just remount the existing one with new blue rtv.

 

First off, whatever you do, don't use blue RTV. Me, I would use a new water pump with a new gasket that had Indian Head gasket shellac applied sparingly to both sides.

 

Indian Shellac +1...old school, cheap and what I used when I replaced my water pump 2 years ago.

 

I'm getting tired of working on Jeeps that the previous person globbed all up with some sort of RTV. Gaskets with Indian Head or GasgaCinch work perfectly.

It's a wonder engines ever sealed up before RTV, huh?

 

Replac the pump.

 

So just for clarification, are you suggesting the Indian Head or GasgaCinch just to hold the gasket in place and not for any sealing properties it may have, right? If so, then there is no problem with installing it dry, i.e. engine is off and everything is easily accessable? How about the t-stat housing, can it be installed dry (with fel-pro gaskest of course)?

 

http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...c_Compound.htm

 

If the mating surfaces are clean and smooth no sealer needed.
Your going to curse and hate that Shellac if you ever have to remove it.
Its a bear to get off.
Old hot rod trick to handling gaskets.
Coat the gasket with a thin layer of grease and it will stick to anything so you can align the bolts/holes.

 

Assuming you have a 4.0 your water pump may be leaking around the shaft seal and not the gasket. Most of them have weep holes top & bottom which cannot be seen without a little dental mirror & bodily contortion. If your going to remove it anyway replace the pump. As for how to re-seal the gasket here's what I do. I use actual water pump/thermostat housing sealer (comes in a small tube at most auto parts stores). I wear a pair of rubber gloves and dab just enough sealer on my fingertips to coat both surfaces of the gasket by working it between gloved fingers. This is more than enough sealer for the job with minimal squeeze-out once everything is tight. The other advantage is that this type of sealant is grey in color and nearly invsisible up against the water pump & block. I also recommend a new, not rebuilt pump. The extra cost is minimal and the warranty is a bit longer.

 

Replace the pump, as long as your going to move everything to get to the gasket, play it safe!

 

A slight film of Indian Head or GasgaCinch on both sides of the gasket.

I have also built one engine using nothing but grease as Caish stated above and it never leaked.

 

Thanks everyone

 

Are the gaskets that come with the pump adequate? Are they lower quality that a fel pro or w/e

 

I agree with all of the above. I would replace the pump and since you are going to have apart I would also change out the hoses if they haven't been changed out recently. The gaskets that come with the pump will do just fine. Just make sure that you clean the mounting surface really well so you wont have any leaks after installing the new pump.