Leaking water pump

[Steve L]

This is frustrating. I replaced my water pump and gasket about 5 years ago, but last year the water pump started leaking through the gasket. I had used RTV Ultra Blue sealant. I put the car away for the winter and changed the timing belt and water pump this week. This time I used RTV Black gasket seal. This morning I found coolant on the floor and the leak was between the block and the pump once again. I feel sure that the pump was installed properly. I spent a lot of time cleaning surface areas. The bolts screwed in easily and I'm sure that the gasket was properly seated. But if everything was done right, it wouldn't be leaking. I've installed many water pumps before over the last decades. I was leaning deep into the car in order to see what I was doing and it all seemed to go smoothly.

The good news is that I've done this enough to be able to drain my system, strip the upper engine and have the pump on my work bench within two hours. I have a new gasket, but it's paper thin. My current plan to cut another gasket using regular gasket paper, which is thicker. I plan to use High Tack gasket sealer and to tighten the shit out of the three bolts. I'm wondering if I may have tightened the alternator/water pump pulley too much. Every other water pump that I have installed except M20 pumps have more bolts holding them than three.

The fact that I'm clueless about what dumb thing that I did is part of the problem. Does anyone want to chime in with some wisdom? I would be grateful. This should be a simple repair.

Steve L

[uturn]

Are your bolts or the threads stripped?

[digger]

What brand ? Is it flat? Block surface not pitted?

I use permatex non hardening on standard paper never had an issue but let it sit overnight to “cure”