Does coolant eat rubber seals?

[geneworld]

Hey guys I have a question I was wondering if you could help out with...I am currently doing my timing belt/water pump on my 94 1mz-fe. I drained the coolant but not enough it seems and when I cracked the seal off the water pump a decent amount of coolant came flushing out and a good amount got on the main seal. I have been searching on here as well as the internet and haven't found a solid answer to my question. My main seal looked perfect so I wasn't going to change it but I am not sure if coolant leaking on it if that will destroy the seal in the long run. What do you guys thing about that? Anyone have a similar problem?

TL;DR: Got coolant on the main seal and wondering if that could ruin the seal.

Thanks for the help guys!

[BMR]

FWIW, I've never heard of coolant damaging anything.

[geneworld]

Alright thanks

[techtalk]

Originally Posted by geneworld

Hey guys I have a question I was wondering if you could help out with...I am currently doing my timing belt/water pump on my 94 1mz-fe. I drained the coolant but not enough it seems and when I cracked the seal off the water pump a decent amount of coolant came flushing out and a good amount got on the main seal. I have been searching on here as well as the internet and haven't found a solid answer to my question. My main seal looked perfect so I wasn't going to change it but I am not sure if coolant leaking on it if that will destroy the seal in the long run. What do you guys thing about that? Anyone have a similar problem?

TL;DR: Got coolant on the main seal and wondering if that could ruin the seal.

Thanks for the help guys!

Coolant will not degrade the main seal in any measurable manner so long as you regularly flush your coolant. The PH balance of coolant should be at 9.5 on the ph scale. As PH level drops the coolant becomes acidic and can eat away or erode gaskets, rubber, lead, solder joints, aluminum and even steel (paint and your stomach lining included ). Therefore it is imperative that you make sure that your main seal is free of any coolant. In the scenario you describe, however, there should be no problems as long as there is no major leaks in the seal.