I just changed my opti 2 weeks ago and forgot to put thread sealer on the bottom WP bolts. What is the quickest way to do this? Should I drain the radiator AND the block? Just use a funnel and take off the bolts and let it drain?

Also, what kind of sealer did you use?

Kyle

 

Yea, I would just drain the radiator, and pull a bottom waterpump bolt with a cup under it......Make sure to use permatex # 2 on all of them....... it's a non-drying pliable sealer.....put a full coat across all the threads..

 

i didnt use thread sealer on mine. have had no problems

 

Yea sometime they won't leak without sealer, (just like head bolts) but they surely can....this is why Permatex #2 "type" sealer is put on them from the factory........also, any non sealed bolt that goes into water can add rust into the system

 

How quick are you at wrapping a bolt with teflon tape? Pull it wrap it and plug it. If the system is sealed and cool the draining coolant should cause a bit of a vacuum and begin to flow slowly giving you time to get the bolt back in without major loss of coolant.

 

I've replaced three and never used sealant.

 

I've had a major problem lately though, hence my concern.

I've been through 4 opti's in a little over a year. They last about 3 months then just die. When I get them off the plug is covered in blue corrosion and the rotor contacts are badly corroded as well. First time I changed the WP. Second time I put new clamps on all hoses. Still leaking, I put new heater hoses on it (i think they were leaking right on the plug) and still I catch a hint of antifreeze smell every once in a while (only been two weeks since I changed my last one). I'm wondering if it's dripping out the lower WP bolts? I've never used sealant on them the 4 times I've pulled it off.

I'm just about to give this car away! But do you guys think these bolts would be leaking?

Thanks,
Kyle

 

GM makes a sealant for bolts that might penetrate the water jacket- ie water pump bolts it is called -Pipe Sealant with PTFE part # 12346004. It is great stuff! $19.00 from your GM Dealer.

 

You should use sealant on the threads, but if it is not leaking, don't worry about it.

 

That's the problem. I don't know where it's leaking, if it even is now that I replaced the heater hoses. It only seems to do it when the cooling system is under extreme pressure (pretty much only when driving and hot). I hate this. It never has leaked enough to drop any on the ground, it just dries or burns up before it gets there. Any suggestions? How much would leak if the pump bolts were leaking?

Man I have a lot of questions. Thanks a lot guys.

 

have someone pressure test the radiator/coolant system you will see where it is leaking from. 93Z Ted

 

We've pressure tested it before and it usually seems ok. Couldn't it just leak when it's hot though? Things expanding/shrinking and stuff?

 

Chances are it'll be more prone to leaking when there is some pressure in the cooling system, like just after shutting it off after a drive. If you're concerned the bolts are leaking, drain the coolant, pull the bolts out one at a time, put some kind of sealer on them, and reinstall them. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes, and it'll get you much better results than trying to pinpoint the source of the leak on the internet. If you do it and it still leaks, then you're out a whopping 20 minutes of time.

 

Point taken. Gonna do it tomorrow.