I'm going to be replacing the waterpump in my daughter's car because there's a leak by the gasket or ... something. No idea, but it only happens when the car has been driven hard, and then in stop-and go traffic, and then shut off. Seems like the focused heat in the cyl head without the waterpump still moving the water causes it to super-heat and I get a little pool of coolant by the waterpump. So... just to be on the safe side, I'm going to replace the entire thing (which includes the waterpump housing).
But I want to make sure we do this right. Previously, we used some PTFE paste, but I'm not sure if that actually worked. Is there some kind of tape (like how we use teflon tape for plumbing) that we can use for the threat bolts?
As far as I can tell, these two bolts go directly into the coolant passages:
EDIT: Sorry, I should have marked up the image... I mean the two bolts by the coolant inlet down there in the lower right on the side of the motor (diagonally opposed).
[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 01-17-2025).]
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: What do you use to seal bolts that go through cooling passages?
I do not think they go through the cooling passages. How long were the bolts ? Thread them in without the component and you will know. I don't know the 2.5 but that is not a water pump port. Though I can not fathom what it is. I am leaning to a gasket issue.
Plumbers use white Teflon tape to seal pipes to other pipes which have water / liquid pressure. Yellow Teflon tape is used for gas (propane, natural gas) lines.
I do not think they go through the cooling passages. How long were the bolts ? Thread them in without the component and you will know. I don't know the 2.5 but that is not a water pump port. Though I can not fathom what it is. I am leaning to a gasket issue.
Plumbers use white Teflon tape to seal pipes to other pipes which have water / liquid pressure. Yellow Teflon tape is used for gas (propane, natural gas) lines.
So, on that port... it's... "complicated."
The original Iron Duke when it was longitudinally mounted, the water pump was mounted directly in the front (where you see that plate that has four bolts on it). That gaping hole on the side of the engine (with the two bolts), is actually where the "water pump housing" connects to, and then the water pump connects to that.
It looks like this when all assembled:
I remember the gasket I used was literally just a flat piece of plastic, so it had to be torqued down really well. I don't know if that's my problem, but I bought a better gasket this time:
I can't seem to find any pictures of my daughter's engine (I know I have them, just can't find them) with a close-up of the water port... but here's one from the 1988 engine I had (which I was using for parts):
Note, the "better" gasket was also used on this one too. But, you can see clearly that the upper right bolt (from the port) clearly protrudes into the coolant passage.
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: "But, you can see clearly that the upper right bolt (from the port) clearly protrudes into the coolant passage.
No, I can't. It looks like it might. How long was the bolt ? Screw the correct bolt into the block and feel inside, for the bolt.
quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: ... it's... "complicated.
Thanks for the memory. On a first date, a gal asked me what my life story was. It said "it's complicated. It's a long story, let's go inside (a bar) and talk about it." We did.
I was thinking, I can make this into a long date.
The "it's complicated" line was also used in Top Gun, years later.
Hi Todd At our machine shop we use 3M case sealant. it dries to a tough flexible seal that is resistant to heat , moisture and oil. Good for GM headbolts and manifold bolts the are open to coolant passages. sleek
This sealant was engineered to hold high pressure. Here is what we use and it has held connections, with air to 125psi and oil pressures to several thousand lbs on out shop hydraulic lift. Should easily seal and contain the pressure in an engine cooling system.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 01-18-2025).]
The 3800 S2 has bolts that go into the block as well. I've had coolant leaks come through these bolts from time to time, even with new pump gaskets. In the end, I just put a load of high temp silicone mastic on the bolt threads and up on the shank of the bolt just below the head. A little messy, but you just wipe off the excess once the bolts are tightened down. No leaks since, and relatively easy to undo again; just needs cleaning off the old mastic on the bolts before reusing them.
------------------ "Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM
[This message has been edited by Frenchrafe (edited 01-18-2025).]
Thanks guys. We went to a car show this morning... the first one my daughter has ever been to (and the first one for me with a car since the Fiero show in Daytona back in 2000!). She was so excited... I really didn't want to take it because we still haven't rebuilt the front end yet, and the radiator isn't even really bolted down yet. But she insisted. We drove there with the slight leak coming from the water pump area, and then drove it back. Car drove amazing... but while she went to a full-day orchestra practice for school, I removed and replaced the water pump for her since I knew she didn't want to have to do that again.
It's hard for me to tell, but best I can see, it had been leaking through that middle bolt that's in the upper right-hand corner of the port, and POSSIBLY from one of the bolts at the top, which I didn't even know coolant passed through. I used the Permatex Thread Sealer through most of the threads since I was able to get that overnighted. I ordered the hydraulic sealant too, but it won't come until tomorrow unfortunately. I also ordered from Permatex specific RTV sealant that's meant for waterpumps that has better resistance to glycol, and I used all the best gaskets I could buy. The gasket above (for between the block and waterpump mount body), and then a FelPro gasket from between the neck and mount body, and also between the mount body and the waterpump. I JUST got it all back together a few minutes ago, but I'm leaving the car dry for about 24 hours so everything will set up and properly seal. Again, it looked like it was leaking between two of the bolts. I also crammed the inside with RTV sealant like FrenchRafe recommended.
Anyway... I hope this solves that leaking issue. It wasn't horrible, but it appeared as though it was getting worse and worse over time.
Sleek, what is case sealer? I tried looking for that on Amazon and couldn't find it. Will that work well for when I rebuild my 5-Speed getrag?
Sorry Todd. My bad . It is a Permatex product called Motoseal case sealant. I know we had a 3M product we used but our currant inventory is permatex. This product does work very well as it will stretch and give as two surfaces heat and shrink. sleek
Just wanted to let you guys know... I used that Permatex stuff (thanks Sleek), along with the new (and better) body to engine block gasket... and we had absolutely no leaks today. Put about 40 miles on the car... ran amazing, no leaks at all. Thanks!!!
Just wanted to let you guys know... I used that Permatex stuff (thanks Sleek), along with the new (and better) body to engine block gasket... and we had absolutely no leaks today. Put about 40 miles on the car... ran amazing, no leaks at all. Thanks!!!
Great to hear this. Is AJ now doing the driving??? I guess that we can say that you put quite a bit f money into this build but still less than a new or late model vehicle plus your daughter is now is educated on automobile repairs. If AJ lived closer I would gladly put her to work in my garage at a good wage in rebuilding and repairing Fieros. I hope that when all is said and done hope that AJ can secure a very good professional position with SEMA or an automotive aftermarket company. IMO, she is building quite a good resume, she presents herself well and has a great understanding of automobiles.. You don't find many 16 year olds that have that kind of knowledge.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Great to hear this. Is AJ now doing the driving??? I guess that we can say that you put quite a bit f money into this build but still less than a new or late model vehicle plus your daughter is now is educated on automobile repairs. If AJ lived closer I would gladly put her to work in my garage at a good wage in rebuilding and repairing Fieros. I hope that when all is said and done hope that AJ can secure a very good professional position with SEMA or an automotive aftermarket company. IMO, she is building quite a good resume, she presents herself well and has a great understanding of automobiles.. You don't find many 16 year olds that have that kind of knowledge.
Thanks Dennis, I appreciate the kind words. She is driving it a little, but still trying to get the hang of driving stick. She's been driving "mom's car" which is an old 2015 Ford Edge, but we got the Solstice so she could learn stick in... it's more forgiving since it's a drive by wire and she doesn't want to destroy her clutch.
She's supposed to do a video for SEMA SAN this week, for the Leno Law stuff... so she has to get that out (she should have done it this weekend, but has been incredibly busy).
