Faulty seals are the most common reason water pumps fail on vehicles. This can lead to a lack of coolant running through the engine, causing overheating. Overheating can, in turn, cause severe damage to the engine itself. With the price of engines being what they are nowadays, nobody wants that to happen.

If you’ve discovered that the seal on a car’s water pump is failing, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we break down the key characteristics of the best water pump sealants and where to find them.

What Is A Water Pump Gasket Sealant?

In most vehicles, a water pump is attached to the engine block to provide for the seamless delivery of coolant. One of the first signs that a water pump is failing is usually a puddle near the center-middle of a vehicle from a leak. This is how you know that it’s time to invest in a new water pump.

Once you have removed the old one, you’ll need to ensure the new pump is tightly sealed to the engine block. Typically, manufacturers will provide an o-ring seal or gasket and suggest that supplemental sealant be added to ensure a secure and leak-proof seal. This supplemental sealant is the focus of our article.

What Makes A Good Water Pump Sealant?

Here are a few of the most important factors to consider when choosing a good water pump sealant.

Ideal Sealant Compound

Professionals agree that the ideal compound for a water pump sealant is 100% silicone. Silicone provides the durability and longevity required to ensure a tight seal that lasts the test of time.

Temperature Resistance

You’ll want to choose a sealant that has strong temperature resistance. The temperatures in and around a vehicle’s engine can get extremely hot. 100% RTV silicone sealant has a high-temperature range. Red “Gasket Maker” silicone withstands temperatures up to 650°F.

Flexibility and Adhesion

The purpose of any gasket seal is to account for slight imperfections in mating surfaces between joints. Consequently, a good water pump sealant is flexible enough to absorb any cracks or seams to provide a complete seal.

Furthermore, vehicle engine housings are constantly vibrating, moving, and absorbing impact. An overly rigid seal cracks over time. However, silicone seals can absorb these impacts without cracking.

Durability

Some water pumps come with flimsy gaskets that are not likely to last. It’s important to choose a durable sealant. You don’t want to have to repeatedly replace a water pump, as these projects can be expensive and time-consuming. A well-installed water pump with a silicone-based sealant can outlast the lifetime of the vehicle itself.

Sensor Safe

Most modern vehicle engines have O2 sensors that help to determine how rich the fuel mix is burning. An imbalance (either too much oxygen or too little) can impact the engine’s performance. Over time, a poor-quality fuel mixture can lead to overheating and damage to the engine.

Normal silicone sealants can release fumes as they cure, which can cause damage to a vehicle’s O2 sensor. It’s important only to use silicone sealants that are meant for automotive purposes and are clearly labeled “Sensor Safe.”

An Excellent Choice For Vehicle Sealant – Xtreme Gasket

One of the best choices for water pump sealant is Xtreme Gasket from Silicone Depot. With a temperature range of up to 650°F, this professional-grade silicone sealant can be used to seal all kinds of mechanical components, including water pumps.

One of the challenges with many kinds of silicone seals is the application process. It’s hard not to make a mess. However, the unique formula used in Xtreme Gasket makes it easy to apply quickly and precisely.

At Silicone Depot, you’ll find Xtreme Gasket in three colors: red, black, and blue. Xtreme Gasket is also sensor-safe and has a five-out-of-five star rating.

How To Seal A Water Pump Gasket

Once you have chosen the sealant you need, you’ll need to seal the water pump gasket. Not only is creating a tight seal important for preventing leaks, but it also prevents dust and debris from entering the coolant and causing the pump to malfunction. A consistent pressure must be maintained within the pumping system for coolant to be equally delivered to the engine. A crack in the gasket could cause this pressure to go down, preventing the distribution of the coolant.

Step 1: Clean The Parts

Whenever installing any kind of seal, the first step is to ensure that both of the mating surfaces are carefully cleaned. If a water pump is a new purchase, that surface will likely already be cleaned, and you will only need to look at the engine block. Carefully dry both parts to ensure no moisture or contaminants enter the joint.

Step 2: Apply The Sealant

Using a tube of your preferred water pump sealant, apply a small amount on both the O-ring and the engine block. Often, new water pumps will come with instructions on how much silicone sealant to apply. It’s important to do this carefully. A little goes a long way, and you do not want any silicone to leak into the engine block, as this can cause damage to the engine.

Step 3: Connect The Pump To The Engine Body

Ensure that both parts are aligned and in the correct position. Then, install the pump body on the engine housing.

Press firmly but straight down on the seal to ensure a tight fit and install the bolts into each hole. Tighten the bolts to connect the pump to the engine. Be careful not to overtighten it, or you could damage either the pump or the engine housing.

The Best Place To Get Silicone Sealant For A Water Pump

At Silicone Depot, we provide a wide range of the highest-quality silicone sealants for automotive and construction use. Our prices can’t be beat, and we ship all orders quickly so you can ensure you get the product you need when you need it. Take a look at our range of automotive products here.