New water pump 5288

[Delta88]

What do you guys use for a gasket sealant on a new water pump install?

[HydroTek]

Gray silicone -- do not use others as they can be corrosive with coolant 

I prefer the Kubota stuff, but permetex also has decent gray 

[Delta88]

Tks!

[CIHTECH]

8 hours ago, Delta88 said:

What do you guys use for a gasket sealant on a new water pump install?

I'll be the odd guy here....why do people think they need an additional sealant on gaskets? If the OEM didn't use, and your gasket surfaces are clean & true there is absolutely no reason to use anything other than the gasket. 

Have spent hundreds of hours cleaning bolts, bolt holes an etc... because last guy used a sealant. I detest the stuff........

[Matt Kirsch]

1 hour ago, CIHTECH said:

I'll be the odd guy here....why do people think they need an additional sealant on gaskets?

99 times out of 100, it's just easier than trying to grow a third arm. Little stick'um just to keep the gasket in place while I juggle the part, a bolt, and possibly a wrench with multiple extensions and universals. No need for gobs of the stuff, just a light smear.

[hippy5488]

3 hours ago, CIHTECH said:

I'll be the odd guy here....why do people think they need an additional sealant on gaskets? If the OEM didn't use, and your gasket surfaces are clean & true there is absolutely no reason to use anything other than the gasket. 

Have spent hundreds of hours cleaning bolts, bolt holes an etc... because last guy used a sealant. I detest the stuff........

best advice ive heard for awhile. dont understand why people need to use all the crap to get a gasket to seal. if u need to hold a gasket in place while installing a little spray hi tak works well.

[IHandJDman]

4 hours ago, hippy5488 said:

best advice ive heard for awhile. dont understand why people need to use all the crap to get a gasket to seal. if u need to hold a gasket in place while installing a little spray hi tak works well.

I changed the water pump on my 1086 last year.  CaseIH gasket came with some "stuff" on it that melted and sealed it.

[IHC_1470]

For holding gaskets in place I just use a little chassis grease. 

[1967806]

On 7/12/2025 at 7:57 AM, hippy5488 said:

best advice ive heard for awhile. dont understand why people need to use all the crap to get a gasket to seal. if u need to hold a gasket in place while installing a little spray hi tak works well.

And in the case of a water pump, spray the hi tack on the pump or the pump side of the gasket and not the block. Easier to clean up that way next time. 

[R190]

On 7/12/2025 at 4:34 AM, CIHTECH said:

I'll be the odd guy here....why do people think they need an additional sealant on gaskets? If the OEM didn't use, and your gasket surfaces are clean & true there is absolutely no reason to use anything other than the gasket. 

Have spent hundreds of hours cleaning bolts, bolt holes an etc... because last guy used a sealant. I detest the stuff........

I agree ,if there is no pitting you must deal with there is no valid reason to add extra crap to the sealing surface in most situations . I know a mechanic in a truck shop that goes thru a tube a day of silicone his work shows it. I think the money is better spent on a gasket scraper.