Water pump bolts
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 74
From: Aroostook County, Maine
Water pump bolts
I have been chasing a small coolant leak on my IH branded WP, installed back in April. The leak presents more as staining on the underside area of the pump. I have ruled out hose connections. I believe I torqued these to 18 ft-lbs (or whatever the available literature recommended).
I didn't know this at the time, but I re-used the bolts instead of putting new ones in. I recently read (on here I am sure) that new bolts should be used. I have never swapped out the bolts on a pump replacement (at least 8 on F-series trucks) and have never had leaking that I couldn't sort out. I didn't think the torque on those bolts was at such a level that bolt stretch was a possibility.
So is leaking because of old bolts a thing? Also, if I swapped out 1 bolt at a time, would this solve the prob, instead of draining the system/breaking the seal?
I didn't know this at the time, but I re-used the bolts instead of putting new ones in. I recently read (on here I am sure) that new bolts should be used. I have never swapped out the bolts on a pump replacement (at least 8 on F-series trucks) and have never had leaking that I couldn't sort out. I didn't think the torque on those bolts was at such a level that bolt stretch was a possibility.
So is leaking because of old bolts a thing? Also, if I swapped out 1 bolt at a time, would this solve the prob, instead of draining the system/breaking the seal?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 245
Likes: 41
It's the o ring seal. But first, recheck the bolts. If they are good'n'tight then pull the pump and inspect that seal. I have had bolts back out. But that's because I forgot to snug up one or two and never realized it because I was tired of wrangling that fan and probably forgot.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,455
From: Muskogee, Ok
I think he said that was the torque value the manual called for, not that it was over torqued. Being as it's threaded into the aluminum front cover I'd go by the printed torque value for sure there
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,065
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From: Oologah, OK
what I disagree with, is that the bolt itself stretches with only 18 ft/lbs of torque on it.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 428
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From: Aroostook County, Maine
To add some more details...2x times since April I have checked the torque on the bolts in the quest to solve this minor leak. Both times some of the bolts were less than what I set them at (which is the 18 ft lbs looking back at my notes). Never more than 1fp off. Now 1/2 to 1 foot pound on 18 is a 3-6% error, so within the accuracy of the torque wrench. But suspect in that they are always less. I don't believe for a minute that 18fp is going to stretch a bolt, but now I'm wondering if they had been over torqued before I took ownership, though were not overly tight as I recall. Although a stretched bolt will loosen up over time, especially under a cyclic load.
As far as the gasket - it is possible of course. Either way, I guess I'm in the position of having to pull the pump to replace the gasket and bolts.
Maybe the takeaway is that one should plan on replacing critical bolting hardware if they aren't sure of the history.
As far as the gasket - it is possible of course. Either way, I guess I'm in the position of having to pull the pump to replace the gasket and bolts.
Maybe the takeaway is that one should plan on replacing critical bolting hardware if they aren't sure of the history.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2023
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From: Glendale, AZ
I reused my bolts also. Did your gasket have the nubs to hold it in place? If not, could have moved and gotten pinched.
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Banned
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Might just need to hit them with a re-torque. The gasket will compress and settle a little leave you a little loose. I’ve never had an issue reusing the hardware and I’ve done the water pump 3 times since I’ve owned mine.
good idea to let it sit for a spell after the initial torque sequence and hit them again before proceeding.
good idea to let it sit for a spell after the initial torque sequence and hit them again before proceeding.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 428
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From: Aroostook County, Maine
Yes on the nubs. Although it took awhile to get it to fit in, once it did, it looked and felt good.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Aroostook County, Maine
The bolts have been loosened and re-tightened 2 times since install. I'll give the first re-tighten to the initial gasket compression thing, but it didn't solve the prob. The second time? I do not believe it is a compression thing at that point.
In both cases, the bolts that do loosen are not to a large degree: +/- 1/2 foot pound.
In both cases, the bolts that do loosen are not to a large degree: +/- 1/2 foot pound.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 972
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From: Glendale, AZ
I'm gonna go back and revise my statement from earlier. After going through my orders I DID get new bolts. And used a Gates water pump.
This guy isn't always liked around here at times, but I used his procedure for torquing. And reasoning for the new bolts.
I used riff-raff for the bolts.
This guy isn't always liked around here at times, but I used his procedure for torquing. And reasoning for the new bolts.
I used riff-raff for the bolts.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,674
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From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
As I recall all the bolts are dry, outside the o-ring on the 7.3 WP, a photo on Riffraff's site confirmed this, so your issues is not with the bolts. Buy a new o-ring and replace it. That is my .02 for what it is worth.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2018
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The bolts have been loosened and re-tightened 2 times since install. I'll give the first re-tighten to the initial gasket compression thing, but it didn't solve the prob. The second time? I do not believe it is a compression thing at that point.
In both cases, the bolts that do loosen are not to a large degree: +/- 1/2 foot pound.
In both cases, the bolts that do loosen are not to a large degree: +/- 1/2 foot pound.
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