KPZ-28

My z has been missing and stumbling for some time now, after new plugs, wires, coil, icm, ect, I started to swap out the opti. I noticed the wp bolts were barely snug at best and leaking around the gaskets. The wp weep hole is clean and not leaking and the bearing is like new. When I pulled the opti apart for inspection, the cap and optical sensor is clean and like new condition but the rotor is rusty and has a burned black film on the contact end.
My question is: has anyone else have this happen and be the cause of my missfire, after searching most wp failures seem to be from bearing failure and leaking on the opti. Also when I reattach the wp should I use a higher temp color rtv instead of the blue that was previously used?

1997formula

When I did my water pump I didn't use any sealer just the gaskets. I did put thread sealer on the bolts.

Birdman7389

Sounds like a new opti, and fresh WP gaskets will do you just fine. FWIW, I put a small amount of rtv on the gaskets. I'm sure either way is ok.

Zeueses 97 RamAir

yes the waterpump seals unless there from gm are trash you can put double it will last you for years..

SMW

I like to use the Permatex Water Pump RTV (gray). Clean the mating surfaces with laquer thinner. I also chase the water pump bolt threads with a die, but a regular nut is better than nothing to clean the threads and get a proper torque reading. In addition, some of the bolts do go into the water passages. I apply a layer of RTV on the bolt threads as well for extra insurance.

OBE1 95Z28

No need to apply sealant to the paper gaskets. Apply teflon sealant to the threads of the bolts and torque to spec.

Javier97Z28

I've used about 4 different brands of WP gaskets.. never an issue with leaks. I use thread sealant on the bolts, and a little speck of RTV to hold the gaskets in place.

KPZ-28

I got the fel-pro timing cover set to replace the 3 front seals, the crank and wp seal look bad from oil stains but the cam seal looks good. Should I swap em all out or leave the cam seal? I hope this solves my missfire issues- seems like a shame to ruin a fairly new opti from loose wp bolts! I plan on replacing the seals without removing the cover or is it better to remove?