Replacing the water pump.
 

I noticed on one set of instructions some sort of white gasket sealant is applied when installing the new waterpump and gasket but another set of instructions it's not mentioned.

Which is correct?

I've never used sealant on the 986/996 water pump gasket, and I don't recall the Porsche workshop manual recommending any.

If you are using an OEM pump with the metal gasket DO NOT USE SEALANT!

The youtube video of some guy applying gobs of sealant "so the pump won't leak" makes me cringe.

He had enough sealant on the pump to seize it. Make sure all the contact surfaces are clean and don't bend the gasket and that's all you need.

Sealant not necessary. Just use metal gasket and torque to specs.

wow we live and learn. Thanks.

I just replaced mine and I didn't use any sealant.

Thanks. I knew I should have just followed my instincts this past weekend.

So you did use the sealant?

If small chip from plastic impeller can block a waterpassage in the cyl.head. What could some siliconsealant do.....

DO NOT use sealant, just make sure that the surfaces are clean.

Not according to this site.. http://www.partsource.ca/doityoursel...Water-Pump.asp

So who's wrong??????????????

Ok but does the Porsche Workshop Manual say NOT to use sealant on the water pump???????????? Just wondered for when I replace mine in the future. :rockon:

The Factory manual does not mention any sealant on the water pump gasket. Just "Position new seal and coolant pump simultaineously and fasten. tighten torque 10 Nm (7.5 ftlb.)" Group 1 engine 19-16.

Metal gaskets normally don't use sealant, and this is the case with the 996 water pump.

No, my instinct was to just use the gasket and waterpump. I haven't installed anything yet. Also, I knew I had different instructions bookmarked at work.

http://p-car.com/996/diy/waterpump/

Just follow the factory manual. No sealant. I know it's not the best manual, but it doesn't say to NOT do lots of things. That doesn't mean you should.

I just changed my waterpump and thermostat (housing and thermostat) about three months ago. Both came with metal gaskets and I did not use gasket sealer on either....I have had it north of 105mph on several occations and I have sat in 95deg heat in traffice.....no hint of a leak from either. I did see a DIY either here or on pelican where a guy put a little sealer on to hold the gasket in place but I'm pretty sure the pump casting had an alignment pin or shoulder. It was never an issue. You can also use a couple of bolts to help align.

Heads up though, mine was retroffited with Tubi exhaust by the previous owner, purchased from the dealer. The DIY I saw worked really well except that I had to remove a couple of the tee fittings on the radiator/heater hose and I had to pull the small diameter metal tubing further away from the perimeter of oil pan to get the pump and t'stat housing out.

It does not specifically say not to use sealant, however when sealant is recommended, the workshop manual is very specific about which sealants to use. So I would take the absence of mention as a recommendation against sealant. Also, none of the 986/996 water pumps I've done have leaked afterward. The factory metal gasket is a good one.