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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Water Pump Sealing

Do you use sealant on your new water pump gasket?
Nick and Cherry Scoop

Yes I do. I use that red stuff as I think it allows for a little movement and with an alloy pump bolted to a CI block I would expect some differential expansion.
Guy Weller

Thanks, Guy. Makes sense.

The 4 bolts suffer from rust, don't they? They looked awful when they came out, but the wire brush wheel worked its miracle, and they do still seem to have threads.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

I use Hylomar, as it tends to remain more flexible. yes the bolts do rust, but I find that replacing the antifreeze regularly (2 years) reduces corrosion.
Bob Beaumont

I use silicone... and i replaced my bolts with stainless steel and i use anti siezure lube on the threads

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I also use Hylomar.

You could use some copper grease on the bolts.
Dave O'Neill 2

Just a thought...
As the pump is Al/Al and the block CI is it likely that the corrosion of the steel fasteners is exacerbated by the galvanic cell formed by the two different metals? Anyone know?

Another vote for Hylomar. It seems very good stuff. Although I no longer use it on the rocker cover since I learned Prop's trick with the white grease.
Greybeard

Grey

id have to say thats a high probablity

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

OK, thanks everybody. Identified a place in Leominster that has red Hylomar, only half an hour away, so I will get over there - maybe Morrisons on the way back for booze offers, and a peek into Aldi, in case they have a chest full of Snap-on tools for £119.99.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

I thought it should be Blue Hylomar for water pump gaskets (and is the one that's Rolls Royce approved) ?
Which variety are people using?
David Smith

Blue hylomar if you must but wellseal still is top dog for me.
Yes galvanic corrosion is a problem here so Prop those stainless bolts should rust even faster.
Get some ceramic grease or shipbuilders contact past to prevent the galvanic corrosion
Onno K

Well, it wasn't Red Hylomar - it was Red HyloTITE. But still advertised as gasket sealant.

I have Blue Hylomar on the garage shelf. Which to use?
Nick and Cherry Scoop

If the two metal surfaces are in good condition (i.e. flat) then a sealant is not required. On a vertical surface I might use Loctite 534 which is a gasket positioner, but a smear of grease often does the same job, just holds it in place while the pump is offered up. If I had a leak / weep and couldn't prep the surfaces sufficiently to fix it then I'd use a sealant.
David Smith

Grease does work well but i prefer blue hylomar for peace of mind!!
Bob Beaumont

This thread was discussed between 25/08/2016 and 27/08/2016

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