Well, I am happily working through the timing belt, water pump, etc. replacement. Hopefully, I can get the crank pulley off tonight and start getting everything back together this weekend.
I know many of you have done this before; what is the best gasket sealant for the water pump and the water fittings on the one top pulley piece? Any other advice about this job is also most welcome.

 

I've only done it twice (22re), but I just used a gasket ... that's what it's for. I don't believe added sealant is necessary, unless maybe your parts are deformed.

 

I used the Toyota stuff you get fromm the dealer....regards.........Rick

 

I would want to be sure to use sealant if needed. A lot of guys here have done this before and have a lot of handy little tips that let you do a better job than normal repair.

 

The FIPG (Form In Place Gasket) Toyota sells is some of the stickiest I've ever used. Works GREAT!

 

If you can't get to Toyota, use The Right Stuff, TRS, is is sold at Kragen and other autoparts stores.

I always add a very thin film of some type of sealant to my gaskets. Do not add too much, as it will squish out and cause problems, just a thin coat.

Mike

 

the grey and black permatex high temp oil resisting silicone has never failed me.

as for the water pump I use only the paper gasket that comes with the pump after a week or a few days that gasket is stuck and sealed to the the pump and timing cover.

 

It seems like some kind of gasket sealant should go on the water pump. The paper gasket that came with the pump is pretty thin.

 

I used the stuff the dealer uses. That stuff is amazingly sticky!!! I used it for everything.

 

I've got a little bottle of some stuff called Indian Head Gasket Shellac. Got it at NAPA to use on paper gaskets for like $10. It's supposed to work on any kind of gasket material(rubber, cork, metal) to help sealing and resistance to chemicals(oil, coolant, fuels). It seems to work real good, though I got by without it for MANY years without any troubles with plain 'ol paper gaskets on they're own. Anyway gotta use it now, I spent the $10 already.

 

I wound up using the Black Permatex HiTemp sealant purchased at the local NAPA.
Used it on the water pump, upper water inlet and thermostat housing. Seems to be doing the job.
Make sure the studs for the thermostat housing are in place before you use this stuff on the water pump.

 

Toyota's new waterpump design doesn't use FIPG or a paper gasket. It comes with a metal/rubber gasket that works perfectly well by itself. At least for the 3.0L and the 3.4L. You didn't specify what engine you're working on.

 

It's the 3.0 in the 4Runner in my sig. I know the water pump comes with that gasket, but I want to be absolutely sure it's not going to leak. Same deal with the thermostat housing. A little icing on the gasket cake, so to speak.