Reusing water pump bolts

[cantabrian]

Planning to do the timing belt on my 2004 xc70, I figured I'd throw on a water pump. But I just realized that it apparently won't be coming with new bolts. So, I'm wondering: are they really necessary? Can I just clean them up and put threadlocker on them?

[MadeInJapan]

Yes, you can reuse them as they are not torqued to any degree that stretches them. That said, it's not a simple thread lock you use- it's actually more like a silicone. I would be asking here about the specific product you should put on the bolts after you clean them up.

[cantabrian]

Thanks for that. I didn't realize there was silicone on there. Picking up on your suggested question, would this sort of thing do the job? Does the sealant stay on the bolts and not mess up the coolant or the pump bearings?

Permatex 22071: https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-22071-T ... 0007TQW60/

[MadeInJapan]

cantabrian- the stuff on the threads are dried on there- so no, they don't mess up anything...they just create a seal so that coolant doesn't leak out past the bolts.

[MadeInJapan]

I just did a google search and everyone is recommending a PTFE sealant like one that Permatex makes. Otherwise, new bolts...
Here is an example...you can probably find this at a local store without having to source it from the web:
http://www.edgextremesports.com/1-oz-th ... gQod6FIDgg

[MadeInJapan]

Here's another one that is highly recommended: https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-56521-P ... ump+thread

Personally though, I would inspect the bolts and if the threads still appear well covered or look rubberized, I'd say that they probably won't leak and I would be tempted to reuse them the way they are. However, nothing is worse than a strange leak at the water pump that you can't figure out and later you find the leak is coming through the bolt heads.