Overtightened Water Pump Bolts

[musicbum82]

Hi Folks!

I have a 93 5SFE. I changed out my water pump and did a timing belt job about a year ago, everything seems ok. However, I was just looking through the torque specs for the water pump job and I'm pretty sure I stripped out the threads for the water pump from using excessive force. It was in the days before I learned about torque specs.

Since it's working and I'm pretty broke at the moment, I'm not eager to get in there and start messing with things to satisfy curiosity. I just want to know what I should do about it when the time comes to swap out the water pump or the oil pump.

Thanks!

[SilverSoarer]

Originally Posted by musicbum82

Hi Folks!

I have a 93 5SFE. I changed out my water pump and did a timing belt job about a year ago, everything seems ok. However, I was just looking through the torque specs for the water pump job and I'm pretty sure I stripped out the threads for the water pump from using excessive force. It was in the days before I learned about torque specs.

Since it's working and I'm pretty broke at the moment, I'm not eager to get in there and start messing with things to satisfy curiosity. I just want to know what I should do about it when the time comes to swap out the water pump or the oil pump.

Thanks!

You could tap and die or you will have to replace the studs/bolts and nuts.

Given it's a 1993, chances are you are better off leaving it as is; the remaining life of the vehicle may well be before the next water pump change is due.

[Pvt-Public]

However, I was just looking through the torque specs for the water pump job and I'm pretty sure I stripped out the threads for the water pump from using excessive force. It was in the days before I learned about torque specs.

You may have over-tightened them but I doubt you actually stripped them. If you had stripped them you would have known right away as all of a sudden the wrench would have spun the nut or bolt easily, and your pump most probably would have leaked from the beginning. In my experience the small bolts and studs would usually snap before any stripping occurred.

[reluctantmechanic]

Originally Posted by Pvt-Public

You may have over-tightened them but I doubt you actually stripped them. If you had stripped them you would have known right away as all of a sudden the wrench would have spun the nut or bolt easily, and your pump most probably would have leaked from the beginning. In my experience the small bolts and studs would usually snap before any stripping occurred.

agree with both of the above

leave it and watch for leaks. they are soft bolts, if you stripped them, you would have known very quickly.

[ycartf]

+1 for leaving it alone.

As mentioned previously, with those small bolts (M6 I think) you'll usually snap the head off before they strip. I have done it before when mounting both a water pump and an oil pump body (before I had an "in/lb" torque wrench). Catch it on sale, and you can usually get an "in/lb" torque wrench for about $10 at HFT.

[ghettosled]

i agree with everyone here. i misread the torque specs when i installed my water pump (didnt realize the torque was in inchpounds and not footpounds) and sheared two of the bolts on the water pump. those bolts are very soft.

[JohnGD]

Looks like Harbor Freight jacked up the prices for their torque wrenches. No more $12 torque wrenches. But pick up a 3/8" and 1/2" drive on sale. Even pick up the 1/4" inch-pound one. All 3 for about $60.

+1 here too. If the setup is lasting you this entire year without problem I wouldn't touch it. And the next time use a torque wrench. If the threads in the hole needs repairing just pick up a helicoil kit from the parts store, and maybe pick up new bolts for the pump next time. It's also cheap insurance.

Originally Posted by musicbum82

Hi Folks!

I have a 93 5SFE. I changed out my water pump and did a timing belt job about a year ago, everything seems ok. However, I was just looking through the torque specs for the water pump job and I'm pretty sure I stripped out the threads for the water pump from using excessive force. It was in the days before I learned about torque specs.

Since it's working and I'm pretty broke at the moment, I'm not eager to get in there and start messing with things to satisfy curiosity. I just want to know what I should do about it when the time comes to swap out the water pump or the oil pump.

Thanks!