Water Pump Replacement Questions 2000 5.3

[syd-jai]

Hey, all!!

 

I've searched all I can on here, and I have a new pump and 2 fel-pro gaskets coming in the AM from NAPA.

 

My main question is that do you still need to put RTV on the seals, or do the little rubber seals on the gaskets do it all?

 

I've never changed a water pump before. Any other hints? I've got a Hayne's Manual, and they're not overly descriptive.

 

Also, why does it need 2 gaskets? Or will it be obvious when I get the pump tomorrow?

 

Sorry for the noob questions. This site is the best I've found for my truck.

 

Thanks,

 

Mitch

[Bish]

Hey, all!!

 

I've searched all I can on here, and I have a new pump and 2 fel-pro gaskets coming in the AM from NAPA.

 

My main question is that do you still need to put RTV on the seals, or do the little rubber seals on the gaskets do it all?

 

I've never changed a water pump before. Any other hints? I've got a Hayne's Manual, and they're not overly descriptive.

 

Also, why does it need 2 gaskets? Or will it be obvious when I get the pump tomorrow?

 

Sorry for the noob questions. This site is the best I've found for my truck.

 

Thanks,

 

Mitch

 

I did not use anything other than the gaskets. There are two because the inputs are on opposite sides of the WP. 50K on the new pump and no leaks. I also replaced the T-stat and all hoses as they had over 130K. Better safe than sorry IMO.

[Impalacat]

Hey, all!!

 

I've searched all I can on here, and I have a new pump and 2 fel-pro gaskets coming in the AM from NAPA.

 

My main question is that do you still need to put RTV on the seals, or do the little rubber seals on the gaskets do it all?

 

I've never changed a water pump before. Any other hints? I've got a Hayne's Manual, and they're not overly descriptive.

 

Also, why does it need 2 gaskets? Or will it be obvious when I get the pump tomorrow?

 

Sorry for the noob questions. This site is the best I've found for my truck.

 

Thanks,

 

Mitch

It's not hard if you have the basic hand tools, you don't have to put any RTV on the new gaskets, but I put a small amount of the Black RTV on mine and havn't had any problems, you need two gaskets because it bolts up from each side, one gasket per side.

[syd-jai]

Thanks for all the help, guys!!

 

I changed it out today!! It took about 4 hours, but that included two trips to two different parts stores. After I got everything out, I saw that the lower radiator hose was old, and the AC belt had several cracks. Very easy to change while you are in there anyway.

 

I did put a little black RTV on the seals, mainly just to keep them in place on the pump while I bolted it on.

 

I didn't pull the block drain plugs, even after I finally figured where in the heck they were!! What the hell hex size is that? 20mm? Like that's a size I have on hand!! So I ended up with a lot of antifreeze on the floor by the time I was done.

 

I filled it up and burped the system, no leaks so far!!! I will leave the skid plate off for a few days till I'm satisfied it won't leak.

 

Next up is changing the transfer case fluid. Any hints on that one??

[Sierra54]

Using a pump to add the new transfer case fluid will make it alot easier.