I'm 19 years old and pretty much everytime I do something to my car it's the first time I've done it. My dad didn't have the mechanical touch when I was growing up so whenever I learn something about working on cars it's from this website more often then not. I'm getting decent enough at the main parts, but I don't know the "tricks of the trade." I'm talking about what you put on bolts, gaskets, stuff like that that the book doesn't tell you when you change something.

So I'm going to replace my water pump (which isn't too intimidating) on Friday when I get paid, but is there anything like what to cover the bolts with, gasket sealer, things like that that I need to know about for this job?

 

Just have to remove the left(driver's) side fan...... Its fairly straight forward...

I used sealer on the bolts...

 

Take off your water pump. Make sure the engine block is nice and shiny. I used a gasket scraper then I wiped the surface with a rag sprayed with brake cleaner. Dont spray the cleaner on the block, spray it on the rag then wipe it clean. I traced the engine block holes with RTV, and also on the pump itself, put the gasket on the block (rtv should hold in in place) then put the pump on. I didnt use any sealant on the bolts. It couldnt hurt I guess to do it though. There is a seal on the timing cover for the waterpump that might need to be changed if its leaking oil.

Its not a bad idea to clean the threads of the waterpump bolts to make sure you get an accurate torque reading when you go to torque down the waterpump. 30ft-lbs if I remember correctly but dont quote me on that.

 

Use a teflon sealant on the waterpump bolts; apply it to the threads. Drain not just your radiator, but the block too (drain the block via the plug on the driver's side next to the motor mount and the knock sensor). This way you'll keep fluid from spilling on the opti when you remove the watrer pump.

Do yourself a favor a buy the Helms manuals for the car. It tells you when you need sealers.

 

Use sealant, not RTV on the bolt threads. RTV can get into the cooling sytem and cause clogs.

 

Real RTV sets to a pliable form. If pieces break off, they don't deteriorate or dilute. Thread sealant is not like that and is specifically made for the task.

Yes, there are many different types of RTV sold, but by it's definition (Room Temperature Vulcanizing [Vulcanization]) it is going to end up a springy, spongy, rubbery form. That's what RTV is.

Sealant does not alway mean thread sealant.