cleaning water pump mating surface

Post by **januwan** » 22 Nov 2020, 13:37

I am in the middle of a water pump replacement project and having a problem with cleaning the mating surface. I used IPA but wasn't very successful. I am tempted to use sandpaper 320 or higher but would like to try something else before. Is there a proven gasket softener on the market, people used successfully, on this green paper-like gasket?
What did work for you?

Post by **j-dawg** » 22 Nov 2020, 13:50

Soak the surface in some aircraft paint stripper and go ham with a plastic scraper. If you have to sand, stuff the openings with a few wet paper towels so you don't get any abrasives in the coolant passages.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 22 Nov 2020, 14:23

A small brass brush like a tooth brush dipped in solvent will help remove the gasket. Cleanup well afterwards.
volvolugnut

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Nov 2020, 18:37

I use a razor blade and no solvent. Just be careful not to gouge the surface. Would not recommend sandpaper.

Paint stripper sounds like a good idea if you can get it in and out of there cleanly.

Post by **januwan** » 22 Nov 2020, 18:59

The brass brush and paint thinner helped a lot. It is almost clean. When I run my finger on the surface I can barely feel something. I got 800 grid sandpaper but people mentioned steel wool. What's better, safer.
Appreciate any help

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Nov 2020, 20:19

Sounding good! Steel wool is safer but be sure no steel debris gets inside. Overkill but I might even tape it up quickly with painter's tape. When you're done blow it out with compressed air or shop-vac with hose on the exhaust outlet.

Geno9707 · Post by **Geno9707** » 22 Nov 2020, 21:34

Hey how are you doing sorry to hear you are having trouble.. I always use a brass brush with medium pressure and just some parts cleaner..

Post by **kallekula** » 23 Nov 2020, 01:35

+1 on razor blade

Post by **abscate** » 23 Nov 2020, 04:23

I used a stiff box cutter blade carefully keeping it at a shallow angle to avoid gouging. I scraped more heavily with a stiff plastic trowel. I use a really thin coat of Permatex aviation gasket sealer on these, too. Not required but makes install easier

Note to 1999 RN blocks, the inner timing belt cover has to go on first before the water pump on these cars.

Post by **jreed** » 23 Nov 2020, 05:33

I also used a razor blade (carefully) to scrape off the old gasket and then a thin bead of Permatex RTV water pump gasket maker to help seal up the new water pump. It worked OK for me.