Water Pump Gasket 3.7L--Is RTV necessary?

[Burro II]

The nice write ups here on replacing the water pump indicate using RTV on re-assy. I don't recall that in the manual nor on the (same) water pump on the 4.7L in my Dakota.

Do I apply RTV to the gasket on water pump installation?

I may be suffering from CRS, but opinions from the field are welcome.

Thanks.

 

[tommudd]

I use it mainly just to hold gasket in place for reassembly when doing gaskets etc
But with some having a O-Ring type of gasket that sits down in a grove , not really a necessary thing to do IMO
Others may think differently, and it could be cheap insurance

 

[sleazy rider]

If not in the manual, I’d avoid rtv on a water pump. That stuff gets everywhere, even water jackets. To hold gaskets in place for install? Hit the link below.

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...=eto:11982226672943462209_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1

 

[tommudd]

Very true ^^^^^
but you never glop on a gallon either, very very very thin amount, common sense comes into play LOL
oh wait, that's right, common sense has been bred out of a lot of folks these day

But I know what you mean, have removed various parts that looked like someone was spreading nutty peanut butter on fresh baked bread before

 

[MarksmanAkula]

The nice write ups here on replacing the water pump indicate using RTV on re-assy. I don't recall that in the manual nor on the (same) water pump on the 4.7L in my Dakota.

Do I apply RTV to the gasket on water pump installation?

I may be suffering from CRS, but opinions from the field are welcome.

Thanks.

When doing mine I did not use RTV. Sealed the pump to the timing cover perfectly.

 

[Burro II]

When doing mine I did not use RTV. Sealed the pump to the timing cover perfectly.

Thanks for the report.

 

[LibertyFlip]

Can confirm as well, didn't use RTV when I replaced mine about a month ago and it's been leak free.

Can also confirm what Tom said about RTV, I must have used a bit too much when re-installing the timing cover after a timing chain replacement and found little bits of it stuck in my closed thermostat lol

 

[uss2defiant]

I used RTV on mine on the outside edge of the gasket groove and a light coat of rtv on the gasket.
Mostly because I had some corrosion issue on the block that resulted in some small holes on the mating surface.

The small holes were patched.

 

[jeeptorino68]

No rtv onthe ones I have replaced on my 4.7 grand cherokee and 3.7 liberty. No leaks

 

[JeepJeepster]

No RTV on the 3.7 and 4.7 pumps Ive replaced.

 

[Wesla]

Search function came in clutch. This thread saved me. I have spray-tack stuff for gaskets, meant mainly to hold it in place for easy install. I thought I would need RTV for this. Guess I'll just give it some light sprays of that aerosol spray-tack instead and bolt it up in a star pattern sequence.

 

[RenKJ]

Im gonna be resealing my water pump soon, ive had a slow leak that only happens in -10 or below. I think the water pump was installed with a cork gasket (guessing) so im putting a rubber one from rockauto, do you guys think i should use a little rtv to help seal it? If not on the pump what about the lower hose seal near the thermostat? (Installing new gaskets in both spots)

 

[MarksmanAkula]

Im gonna be resealing my water pump soon, ive had a slow leak that only happens in -10 or below. I think the water pump was installed with a cork gasket (guessing) so im putting a rubber one from rockauto, do you guys think i should use a little rtv to help seal it? If not on the pump what about the lower hose seal near the thermostat? (Installing new gaskets in both spots)

I replaced mine last winter with a Gates Metal Impeller and it came with a rubber gasket. After torqueing bolts to spec never had another drop leak from it regardless of temp outside

 

[duderz7]

Im gonna be resealing my water pump soon, ive had a slow leak that only happens in -10 or below. I think the water pump was installed with a cork gasket (guessing) so im putting a rubber one from rockauto, do you guys think i should use a little rtv to help seal it? If not on the pump what about the lower hose seal near the thermostat? (Installing new gaskets in both spots)

Take a look on top just behind the pulley after a cold night. Mine puddles there a little bit.