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[rds]

Right, inspected the Valeo water pump.

No gasket - i assume it only needs the already-installed circular rubber seal? No Hylomar to faces?

I gave it a turn but had imagined that it would turn more freely than it actually does; actually you cant make it spin by hand at all. Is that the same as others you have fitted?

Many thanks

RDS

[henryd]

Right, inspected the Valeo water pump.

No gasket - i assume it only needs the already-installed circular rubber seal? No Hylomar to faces?

I gave it a turn but had imagined that it would turn more freely than it actually does; actually you cant make it spin by hand at all. Is that the same as others you have fitted?

Many thanks

RDS

Perfectly normal

[baggers]

It's fine 

[johnnydog]

If it can spin freely by hand, it's generally on its way out. As said, you should be able to turn it by hand, but with some effort.

[rds]

many thanks for the last three replies! Good to feel reassured. Once again, this proves that the forum is well worth while!

RDS

[sjc]

A coating of silicone grease on the rubber seal, a good clean of the mating surface on the block and job should be good.

[rds]

cheers SJC

RDS

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Reading elsewhere with people experiencing coolant leaks suggest the pump seal has failed  - this being the case would it not be prudent to fit a new rubber seal? Partially I ask because I've got a slow coolant leak myself, no idea where from yet, but it could be the water pump seal.

I'd just hate for you to do all this, and then start losing coolant in 6 months because the seal is on its way out.

[rds]

Hello Diamond G

thanks for that - yes it would be a total tragedy!

Are you meaning that there is another seal that does not come in the pump kits? I must say the seal in the kit looks a bit thin and short....In plumbing terms generally, i hate disturbing joints and faces that are not leaking, hence my reluctance to take the pump out anyway. BUT the general consensus seems to be "as you are there already with the belt change, change the pump".

RDS

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Sorry, no, I was both suggesting something misleading and I 'looked but did not observe' (Dr Watson) of course if you've got a seal with the pump, then that should suffice . Re-reading your original post you've got the seal, I was under the impression you didn't, and were going to simply smear some silly-cone grease on the existing one and fit the pump.

I hear you when you say you hate disturbing seals etc, I'm the same. It may well be the pattern pump might benefit from a 'proper' GM seal, however, I've not enough experience in this area to say one way or the other. Never heard of anyone having issue with pattern pump seals. ~

If anyone can help out and say 'yes, I fitted pattern pump and seal 4 years ago with no slow coolant leak since,' then happy days, stick with your new seal that came with the kit.   

[rds]

Hello again

thanks for the clarification - I liked the reference to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great creations. A phrase that has often had applied to me, schooldays onward....

yes, come on - all those who have fitted a pattern pump let us know!

also, a picture of the OEM seal would be useful to see it they are the same shape (material is another thing of course....). Can anyone oblige?

cheers

RDS

[Diamond Black Geezer]

  Welcome. It's not often intelligent literature appears on OOF, mainly it's just double entendres and nob gags, but the odd one does sometimes pop out. (ah,  double entendre, there you go, bugger  )

Hmmm... I've got a nearly-new genuine GM pump in a bag, in a box, in a box, in my old room, at my parents, so somewhat buried. And for all I know the seal isn't on it! But, unless anyone else is able to furnish you with a pic before then, I should be able to snap a pic of it for you at the weekend if I'm down.. Best I can do, sorry!!

[rds]

Hello again

thanks for that - yes please, i will gladly wait until the weekend: no chance of doing this job outside in the cold for me, before then!!

Once again, it shows how fora like these help us all out!

cheers

RDS

[Nick W]

A few points:
On the four cylinder engine the water pump is driven by the cambelt and is subject to all the wear that all the other driven bearings are. That is why you replace it as part of a cambelt replacement. It is not optional! This isn't the case with the V6.


In either case, a new water pump should come with a new seal. You should complain to the supplier if it doesn't.


Lightly lubricate the seal and fit the new pump.


Forget about it until the next belt change is due.

[rds]

Ok Nick will do, ta.

lubricate seal with any favoured lubricant? Red rubber grease? LM grease?

no hylomar needed?

RDS