need help quick: Timing Belt + Water Pump job

[mspiegle]

Alright... So i'm doing the TB+WP on my newly acquired '90 325is (i've had it for about a week now).

I took the old waterpump out and I can spin it freely with my fingers, but it doesn't spin perfectly smooth (has a slight grind to it and looks rusty). If I spin it fast enough, it will make about 3 full rotations before coming to a stop. On the new waterpump, it does not spin this freely. It does not move unless I am turning it with my fingers, but it feels smooth as it turns. Is this normal?

[DaN]

Ya, they are usually tight when new.

[mspiegle]

hot damn! you rock my socks with that speedy response. Thanks!

[AndrewBird]

The old pump's bushings are probably worn causing it to spin more freely. This is not good. The new one is correct in it being a bit stiff. No slop is good in a part that has to pump one of the most important fluids in your engine.

[mspiegle]

Alright... So I did the whole TB/WP job and everything is good except for a slow leak from the waterpump. I probably torqued the bolts a little more than I should of... but oh well, need to fix it now.

I assume that I can't really get another WP gasket without buying another WP... so would it be OK to use some sealant?

[mspiegle]

Apparently you can get WP gaskets from the dealer for $3.50. Looks like i'm all set!

[AndrewBird]

What kind of gasket is it? If it is a paper gasket, to help it seal, coat it in a VERY thin amount of gasket sealant on each side just as you are putting it together. This will fill any small imperfections in the block and the water pump.

If it is a cork gasket, tighten the bolts down just until you see the gasket start to squish out the sides and NO MORE. A little sealant applied like above will also help.

[DaN]

Make sure the surfaces are very clean, use an abrasive pad, and the clean with some alcohol or brake clean. This helps the sealer to stick.
Good luck, I know it sucks doing a job twice.

[SchnellerVert]

Or make your own gasket...

[mspiegle]

Yeah, what's the deal with that? You'd think for something like a waterpump they'd make a decent gasket... I could seriously buy some blank gasket sheets from pepboys and make something better than this piece of crap. I feel like i'm going to accidently rip it in half or something.

I will add some sealant on both sides... I think I should have done this in the first place, but this is the first time i've ever done the TB/WP on any car.

[DaN]

A homemade gasket will rip just as easily, and take alot more time to make. Just get the original, its worth the $3.50

[mspiegle]

Alright, I coated the WP with a thin layer of "The Right Stuff" (permatex sealant that works REALLY well) and then placed the gasket on the WP. I then put another thin coat on top of the gasket then reinstalled. Been driving around for the last 30 minutes and I see no drips. I think i'm good to go!

Thanks all for the help!