99 lt 4x4 water pump gasket problem

[jason-1995fbody]

i have a 99 blazer 4x4 lt 4.3
i traded the fire bird in my sig for it and i know the previous owner had replaced the water pumpbut then it satrted leaking from the gaskets so he put new gaskets in but now they are leaking again
my question is, is there a problem with this or mabey something ishould know about the type or brand of gasket to use

also any tips for this repair would be apreciated

thank in advance

jason

[OverBoardProject]

I only use Felpro gaskets after making the mistake of cheap gaskets once.

He probably didn't tighten it properly, or he may have broken a bolt or 2 and just skipped it hoping that it wouldn't leak

[muddog321]

No problem with these cast pump on cast block. Use alittle sealer on them and see if the pump mounting machined areas are flat and both block and them have the old gaskets totally off - many miss scraping the block completely cause its a tight area to get the hands in. Also, are you sure its really leaking and not the lower intake gasket - had this many times and if it leaks out the front left (drivers side) of the area between block and intake) it runs right down the back by the WP and may appear to be that - get it hot and use a good light and look closely from the top and underneath but watch your fingers with the fan! Most 4.3L intakes leak by 80-100k- sorry.

[Cloud Strife]

Originally Posted by muddog321

No problem with these cast pump on cast block. Use alittle sealer on them and see if the pump mounting machined areas are flat and both block and them have the old gaskets totally off - many miss scraping the block completely cause its a tight area to get the hands in. Also, are you sure its really leaking and not the lower intake gasket - had this many times and if it leaks out the front left (drivers side) of the area between block and intake) it runs right down the back by the WP and may appear to be that - get it hot and use a good light and look closely from the top and underneath but watch your fingers with the fan! Most 4.3L intakes leak by 80-100k- sorry.

I just noticed mine doing this. I am going to have to investigate this a lot closer next weekend.

[jason-1995fbody]

ripping the thing apart right now found no broken bolts but i did find loose bolts so new gaskets are going in
but should i use lock washers or thread lock to keep this from happening again

also 160000 + miles and this is the only problem this truck has had it was purchased brand new

[OverBoardProject]

Good job, you found the problem. It sounds like they weren't installed properly to me.

Use lock tight (thread lock) but make sure that the holes are dry.
This'll help seal the bolt holes that go into the water passages.

Lock washers couldn't hurt either, except that the bolts will be that much further out.