I have a new water pump with its new gasket to be installed tomorrow. Do I still need to apply a gasket sealer (blue RTV silicone) on the gasket itself? If I do, do I need to apply it on both sides of the gasket? Thank you.
It doesn't hurt. You just need it on one side. It is best to put it on the water pump and let it dry a bit then put the gasket on. The silicone will hold the gasket in place so you can put the water pump on a little easier.
We need to know year make model and the type of gasket. Its getting pretty rare to need any sort of sealer on gaskets anymore. If they still require a gasket the sealer is often part of the gasket. These look like regular gaskets but have a blue or orange line manufactured right into them that acts like the RTV did in the old days. For some reasons parts store still have and try to sell you the regular gasket but often if you ask they will have a better one with the built in sealer. For something like a thermostat it takes you from a $2 to a $3 gasket. Many makes now use something that looks more like an o-ring in a groove rather than a gasket now.
that completely depends on the year/make and model, and type of gasket that it uses.
Yes But not both sides Apply small dabs a couple of inches apart on the face of the water pump than carefully spread it out try not to get any inside the pump then place the gasket on line up holes the sealer will hold it in place
Use an RTV sealer, It is black in color, works the best i have found. Now you put some spit on your fingers, i know sounds silly but it will keep the silicone from sticking to your skin. then put the silicone on your index and thumb, and work the sealer into the paper gasket. This will cause it to have a skin on both sides offering the best seal you can get. Now be sure that there isn't any moisture or chalky corrosion on mating surfaces. Not that it is too big a deal with the moisture , but i have watched guys not clean up the (corrosion) surfaces which mate and they ended up redoing the job.Hope this helps. P.S. I've never had a come back for my waterpumps and I'm well over 50 now. This method is tested and true.
