Gasket or Sealer for water pump?

Greetings from one of the many long-time lurkers. I finally have a question
that I hope is worthy of your time.



I have an '89 truck, 4WD, 3.0L V6 with a dead water pump. The local Toyota
dealer has two different types of replacement water pumps for this model
truck; one with a small tube extending out of the thermostat housing, the
other without. The difference, I've been told, is due to transmission type.
My truck, which has a manual transmission, has the pump without the tube.



My question: The pump *with* the tube, the dealer sells together with a
type of medal and rubber gasket. The pump *without* the tube comes with no
gasket, and the parts guy tells me to just use a bead of sealer, and that he
can't sell the gasket as a separate item. Why the difference? The pumps
are identical in every other respect (except the dealer charges $10 more for
the pump w/o the tube? Why??)



So which is better: the gasket or the sealer? And if I do need to use the
sealer, what type of sealer is best to use? I'd like to make sure I do this
right, because the old pump was leaking really badly from between the
sealing surfaces.



Any advice from you expert mechanics would be greatly appreciated.



Jim in Redlands

"Jim in Redlands" <jciarrocca@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:w8DEf.3857$6d.798@trnddc06...[color=blue]
> Greetings from one of the many long-time lurkers. I finally have a
> question that I hope is worthy of your time.
>
>
>
> I have an '89 truck, 4WD, 3.0L V6 with a dead water pump. The local
> Toyota dealer has two different types of replacement water pumps for this
> model truck; one with a small tube extending out of the thermostat
> housing, the other without. The difference, I've been told, is due to
> transmission type. My truck, which has a manual transmission, has the pump
> without the tube.
>
>
>
> My question: The pump *with* the tube, the dealer sells together with a
> type of medal and rubber gasket. The pump *without* the tube comes with
> no gasket, and the parts guy tells me to just use a bead of sealer, and
> that he can't sell the gasket as a separate item. Why the difference?
> The pumps are identical in every other respect (except the dealer charges
> $10 more for the pump w/o the tube? Why??)
>
>
>
> So which is better: the gasket or the sealer? And if I do need to use the
> sealer, what type of sealer is best to use? I'd like to make sure I do
> this right, because the old pump was leaking really badly from between the
> sealing surfaces.
>
>
>
> Any advice from you expert mechanics would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Jim in Redlands
>
>[/color]
I'm no expert mechanic but I have an 04 Tacoma Doublecab and old aircooled
VWs. I once made an oil pump plate gasket out of a grocery bag and
Gascasinc (sp?). I haven't driven it but a couple hundred miles since I did
due to other issues like suspension and wiring but it's been run alot
without moving to show people and tuning/troubleshooting purposes.
Aircooled VWs oil gets just as warm if not warmer than coolant on warm days
(I live in FL) and it hasn't leaked, or ever seeped minute amounts, any oil
at all. Even had quite a bit of gas get into my crankcase twice due to carb
issues and it is still holding perfectly. What started as a temporary
repair for me just might be permanent.

Mac

Buy the cheaper one withthe gasket and block off the tube.

"Jim in Redlands" <jciarrocca@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:w8DEf.3857$6d.798@trnddc06...[color=blue]
> Greetings from one of the many long-time lurkers. I finally have a
> question that I hope is worthy of your time.
>
>
>
> I have an '89 truck, 4WD, 3.0L V6 with a dead water pump. The local
> Toyota dealer has two different types of replacement water pumps for this
> model truck; one with a small tube extending out of the thermostat
> housing, the other without. The difference, I've been told, is due to
> transmission type. My truck, which has a manual transmission, has the pump
> without the tube.
>
>
>
> My question: The pump *with* the tube, the dealer sells together with a
> type of medal and rubber gasket. The pump *without* the tube comes with
> no gasket, and the parts guy tells me to just use a bead of sealer, and
> that he can't sell the gasket as a separate item. Why the difference?
> The pumps are identical in every other respect (except the dealer charges
> $10 more for the pump w/o the tube? Why??)
>
>
>
> So which is better: the gasket or the sealer? And if I do need to use the
> sealer, what type of sealer is best to use? I'd like to make sure I do
> this right, because the old pump was leaking really badly from between the
> sealing surfaces.
>
>
>
> Any advice from you expert mechanics would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Jim in Redlands
>
>[/color]

If you buy the one with the tube, you'll just have to block it off and
that's another potential coolant leak. Haven't you had enough trouble
dure to coolant leaks? Apparently the other posters havent, and I've
seen a LOT of those rubber block off plugs fail. Get the CORRECT one
for engine and use a QUALITY RTV sealer like permatex. I'd recommend
Ultra Blue or Ultra Black, they're both sensor safe for O2 sensors and
such, cheaper RTV will DESTROY sensors. All of the auto makers and
dealerships have been switching to RTV rather than stamped sheet
gaskets for a lot of applications, such as oil pans, valve cover
gaskets, water pumps, transmission pans, differential covers, beacuse
they last LONGER and seal BETTER than conventional gaskets.
The only things I use conventional gaskets on are EGR valves, heads,
intakes and exhaust manifolds, everything else gets RTV. I've had no
complaints of leaks for over 10 years! Just be sure to follow the
directions EXACTLY and be sure both mating surfaces are perfectly CLEAN
to ensure the RTV will stick like it should. Also, be sure to torque
the bolts to the spec. to prevent over squeezing the RTV.

Hi Jim what does the original pump use to seal??? If they recommend sealant
what type do they recommend??? I'd make sure it was sensor safe (I use ultra
blue) and let it set before filling and running.
Good Luck Joe



"Jim in Redlands" <jciarrocca@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:w8DEf.3857$6d.798@trnddc06...[color=blue]
> Greetings from one of the many long-time lurkers. I finally have a
> question that I hope is worthy of your time.
>
>
>
> I have an '89 truck, 4WD, 3.0L V6 with a dead water pump. The local
> Toyota dealer has two different types of replacement water pumps for this
> model truck; one with a small tube extending out of the thermostat
> housing, the other without. The difference, I've been told, is due to
> transmission type. My truck, which has a manual transmission, has the pump
> without the tube.
>
>
>
> My question: The pump *with* the tube, the dealer sells together with a
> type of medal and rubber gasket. The pump *without* the tube comes with
> no gasket, and the parts guy tells me to just use a bead of sealer, and
> that he can't sell the gasket as a separate item. Why the difference?
> The pumps are identical in every other respect (except the dealer charges
> $10 more for the pump w/o the tube? Why??)
>
>
>
> So which is better: the gasket or the sealer? And if I do need to use the
> sealer, what type of sealer is best to use? I'd like to make sure I do
> this right, because the old pump was leaking really badly from between the
> sealing surfaces.
>
>
>
> Any advice from you expert mechanics would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Jim in Redlands
>
>[/color]

Thank you very much. This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for.
Just curious though; I notice that Permatex makes a sealer that is supposed
to be an "RTV silicone gasket material formulated specifically for water
pumps and thermostat housings". Any thoughts on how that compares to the
Ultra Blue or Ultra Black?
Thanks again -- very much appreciated.

"MrFixit469" <MrFixit469@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1138987690.779776.100990@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> If you buy the one with the tube, you'll just have to block it off and
> that's another potential coolant leak. Haven't you had enough trouble
> dure to coolant leaks? Apparently the other posters havent, and I've
> seen a LOT of those rubber block off plugs fail. Get the CORRECT one
> for engine and use a QUALITY RTV sealer like permatex. I'd recommend
> Ultra Blue or Ultra Black, they're both sensor safe for O2 sensors and
> such, cheaper RTV will DESTROY sensors. All of the auto makers and
> dealerships have been switching to RTV rather than stamped sheet
> gaskets for a lot of applications, such as oil pans, valve cover
> gaskets, water pumps, transmission pans, differential covers, beacuse
> they last LONGER and seal BETTER than conventional gaskets.
> The only things I use conventional gaskets on are EGR valves, heads,
> intakes and exhaust manifolds, everything else gets RTV. I've had no
> complaints of leaks for over 10 years! Just be sure to follow the
> directions EXACTLY and be sure both mating surfaces are perfectly CLEAN
> to ensure the RTV will stick like it should. Also, be sure to torque
> the bolts to the spec. to prevent over squeezing the RTV.
>[/color]

Hi Joe,
Good question. I was wondering the same thing myself, because I hadn't
actually pulled the pump yet -- I ran out of time the other night after I
got started. I'm trying to get all the parts I need today, so I can get
started on it bright and early tomorrow morning, and hopefully get finished.
The manual recommends "Seal packing: Part No.08826-00100 or equivalent". I
guess that's the Toyota part number. I 've been trying to figure out which
Permatex product that would match.
Thanks again,
Jim

"Joe" <jodabospam@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:43e3b8f8$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...[color=blue]
> Hi Jim what does the original pump use to seal??? If they recommend
> sealant what type do they recommend??? I'd make sure it was sensor safe (I
> use ultra blue) and let it set before filling and running.
> Good Luck Joe
>
>
>
> "Jim in Redlands" <jciarrocca@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:w8DEf.3857$6d.798@trnddc06...[color=green]
>> Greetings from one of the many long-time lurkers. I finally have a
>> question that I hope is worthy of your time.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have an '89 truck, 4WD, 3.0L V6 with a dead water pump. The local
>> Toyota dealer has two different types of replacement water pumps for this
>> model truck; one with a small tube extending out of the thermostat
>> housing, the other without. The difference, I've been told, is due to
>> transmission type. My truck, which has a manual transmission, has the
>> pump without the tube.
>>
>>
>>
>> My question: The pump *with* the tube, the dealer sells together with a
>> type of medal and rubber gasket. The pump *without* the tube comes with
>> no gasket, and the parts guy tells me to just use a bead of sealer, and
>> that he can't sell the gasket as a separate item. Why the difference?
>> The pumps are identical in every other respect (except the dealer charges
>> $10 more for the pump w/o the tube? Why??)
>>
>>
>>
>> So which is better: the gasket or the sealer? And if I do need to use
>> the sealer, what type of sealer is best to use? I'd like to make sure I
>> do this right, because the old pump was leaking really badly from between
>> the sealing surfaces.
>>
>>
>>
>> Any advice from you expert mechanics would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim in Redlands
>>
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

The permatex RTV designated for water pumps and thermostats is fine,
the Ultra Black or Blue is just a slight upgrade. There's NOTHING which
surpasses the Ultra line. You can't go wrong with either.