How to seal heater pipe on back of water pump??

AMB · 17-03-2010, 08:03 PM

Any tips on getting a good seal on the heater pipe on the back of the water pump? I got a new o-ring, lubed it with rubber grease, cleaned up the water pump and pipe really well, but it's still not a good seal, sometimes it drips (but you never see it). If I put a slight sideways pressure on the pipe connection, then I see it drip, so I guess it drips when going over a bump or something. At least the similar seal at the thermostat housing has got a clip that holds it in reasonably tight -the seal at the water pump has got nothing, just the bolt way back at the back the motor. Or am I missing a mounting bolt underneath the heat shield? Haven't taken the heatshield off to find out.

mik · 17-03-2010, 10:03 PM

when i put a new water pump on mine i put smear of silastic on the seal and pump(just to make sure) and never had any trouble, sorry i can`t remember about the mounting bolt/s for the pipe, if you pull it off again ..........have a very close look at the seal it may be damaged, perhaps the seal is faulty or maybe you nicked it on installation.

AMB · 18-03-2010, 12:28 AM

Thanks for your reply mik. Yeh, I had no problem with my daily EF when putting a new pump in. The heater pipe stays where it is, and I just used some rubber grease on the o-ring and it hasn't leaked a drop in 18 months. But with this AU (my wife's car), I wasn't replacing the pump, just the o-ring had perished. To pull the heater pipe out I had to undo the bolt at the back of the motor, and the pipe doesn't go back in straight and easy, to get it in you have to angle it a bit, maybe I did nick the o-ring (but I don't think so), or maybe the seat is a bit corroded (its probably the original pump). May have to try some silastic to help the o-ring seal. I've got a tube of permatex blue, that should be good enough for this application don't you think?

mik · 18-03-2010, 09:07 AM

that should do the job i think, cheers mate.

JK EX CHASER · 18-03-2010, 09:26 AM

I have au 6 and it has a bracket and bolt that holds it in place .

JK EX CHASER · 18-03-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JK EX CHASER

I have au 6 and it has a bracket and bolt that holds it in place .

I just checked and it is under 2 and 3 spark plugs.

Herrod Motorsport · 18-03-2010, 09:55 AM

there is 2 different size holes in the back of the pumps check with the old pump we had the same problen untill we worked it out

AMB · 19-03-2010, 10:34 PM

All fixed, thanks for the help guys. The bracket under the heat shield was missing the bolt (previous owner no doubt -he had also done up the bolts on the front sway bar way too tight to compensate for the worn rubber bushes, which threw the steering and handling way out. $20 worth of new rubbers properly adjusted and its now handling like a new car!)