I'm restoring my '81 Fiat. Just refilled the coolant after redoing the water pump, timing belt, etc... and noticed a small leak (ie. 1 drop per minute) from the back of the water pump where the small pipe that runs along the side of the engine attaches. I used a new gasket and torqued the bolts. Should I remove and use gasket sealant/maker on the new gasket and re-install?

What's the best way to drain the new coolant? From the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator? I'm thinking in the future a small hose attach to the drain plug with a stopper valve would make draining coolant in the future easier. What do you think?

Richard

make sure the flange that bolts to the water pump is flat, most times it warps. unless you make a rubber gasket, which i do, you will have problems. there are a few vendors that sell replacement pipes, one of which is stainless, (that would be a great upgrade). you can flatten the flange and use sealant and a thick gasket.

+1 on a little bit of sealant where the pipe meets the back of the water pump. The "ears" can get bent a little so you may need to straigten them out or replace the pipe. You can pick up the gastket paper at any auto parts store and cut the new gasket to the same dementions as the existing one. Use a very small bead of sealant around the pipe hole as well as the two bolt holes on both sides of the gasket will work. Don't put so much on that it globs out when you tighten the two bolts.

Last night removed the flange from the water pump, filed down the flange to ensure flatness (it wasn't bent but there was some crud on it), ensured I used teflon tape where the bolts that hold the flange on screw into the water pump, and used a thin bead of gasket sealant on the flange side of the gasket. Retorqued and I'll refill tonight and hope for the best...

Richard