Water pump - RTV sealant

[Gazzaa]

Evening all,

I'm about to change the cam belt on my XC and despite the general thoughts, I'm going to change the water pump as well (while I'm in there). I'm changing the coolant too.

I've watched a few youtube videos and I can't get my head around people using RTV sealant as well as the supplied gasket.

Looking in VIDA, Volvo dont spec any sealant just the gasket.....good enough surely. The RTV sealant should be applied to the pump and engine block, thus making a gasket ?!?! no paper/fibre gasket required. Using both doesn't make sense to me.

Whats everyone's thoughts/opinions please? about sealing not whether to change the pump or not

Cheers
Gazza

[Familyman 90]

I would follow the manufacturers advice, and use only manufacturers parts.

[Whyman]

If you want to use anything use Hylomar Blue.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Gazzaa

Evening all,

I'm about to change the cam belt on my XC and despite the general thoughts, I'm going to change the water pump as well (while I'm in there). I'm changing the coolant too.

I've watched a few youtube videos and I can't get my head around people using RTV sealant as well as the supplied gasket.

Looking in VIDA, Volvo dont spec any sealant just the gasket.....good enough surely. The RTV sealant should be applied to the pump and engine block, thus making a gasket ?!?! no paper/fibre gasket required. Using both doesn't make sense to me.

Whats everyone's thoughts/opinions please? about sealing not whether to change the pump or not

Cheers
Gazza

you wont need to change the water pump have you found something wrong with it?
what ever you do make sure you replace it with a volvo pump if you have to , or what new pump you put back on WILL fail sooner than you think .

[ltec]

As post 3 said. A small smear of Hylomar Blue won't do any harm. And any good brand pump will work fine.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ltec

As post 3 said. A small smear of Hylomar Blue won't do any harm. And any good brand pump will work fine.

For a while then when you have forgotten it and take it for granted it will fail .

[ltec]

Originally Posted by Clan

For a while then when you have forgotten it and take it for granted it will fail .

Never take a waterpump or timing belt for granted, its the life of the car. If both are changed together they will easily last to next recommended change.

[Tannaton]

Buy a cheap pattern pump and you might need the RTV as the mating surfaces sometimes resemble a walkers crisp….

There’s lots of healthy debate on here about pattern parts vs genuine Volvo and the costs, longevity etc. and in many cases pattern parts are a viable alternative but the water pump on a 5 cylinder engine (or VEA) is the definitive example of when never to chance it, given the cost differential and consequences. Ask any dealer mechanic - the vast majority of pumps they change due to failure are pattern (non genuine) parts fitted at other garages during servicing. The Volvo ones invariably last the life of the engine with few exceptions.

As your car has only 101k I wouldn’t worry.

[ltec]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Buy a cheap pattern pump and you might need the RTV as the mating surfaces sometimes resemble a walkers crisp….

There’s lots of healthy debate on here about pattern parts vs genuine Volvo and the costs, longevity etc. and in many cases pattern parts are a viable alternative but the water pump on a 5 cylinder engine (or VEA) is the definitive example of when never to chance it, given the cost differential and consequences. Ask any dealer mechanic - the vast majority of pumps they change due to failure are pattern (non genuine) parts fitted at other garages during servicing. The Volvo ones invariably last the life of the engine with few exceptions.

The dealer mechanics must be taking the pumps for granted and should be avoided coz if you ask any non dealer they will tell you that waterpumps will never give trouble if changed at timing belt intervals otherwise they wouldn't use them as it would be such a risk to stand over. A good brand waterpump is half the price of genuine and absolutely no risk.
The volvo engine causes no more stress on the waterpump than any other engine. Their is nothing special about it.

[Harley Dave]

In post 1 - the OP said "...not whether to change the pump or not..."

But I see it didn't take long for the usual suspects to weigh in on their respective sides of the discussion (again)

Cheers

Dave