Help

I have a small slow leak coming from one of the four bolts on my BB Chevy water pump. Looking at the front of the engine, the lower left side bolt is the guilty one. The bolt is very tight so that's not the problem. As you know there is a gasket on each side of the water pump between the pump body and the engine block. I also used permatex black gasket sealer there. It held fine for about 2 months. Now it's leaking.

My question is: Do I have to put gasket sealer on the bolt threads for those 4 bolts, similar to head bolts that are in the "water jacket" of the cylinder head. I didnt think I had to, so I never did. The other 3 bolts are not leaking. I removed the guilty bolt (after draining the coolant from the radiator) and put some permatex on there, reinstalled it and am waiting 24 hours for it to cure, but I need to know the answer to that question. If that does not fix the leak, I have to remove the entire water pump and everything else in the way and do it all over again.

Lee

Always use sealer on the threads of bolts relating to anything cooling (water pump bolts, head bolts, intake bolts, etc.) Teflon tape will work and just using a dab of silicone on threads will work just fine as well.

rtv blue not black black sucks i used it following the advise of a mechanic in las vegas(used to live there) should have lisened to my sefl but everywhere i used black it leaked intake timming chain cover oil pan valve cover water pump
everwhere

You need to pull the pump and replace the gaskets. I like Aviation Permatex. You can use it on the bolts too, or use teflon liquid like you do on head bolts.

RTV is improperly used 98% of the applications.

Note, I have heard stories that the new anti-freeze is attacking some of the poorer quality gasket materials.