To change water pump, which is better? thanks

 

when i did mine i just useed the gasket that came with it and its been 7k since with no leaks but ive seen use gasket+sealant

 

gasket is always preferred in most applications.
RTV is your next choice if no gasket avail.

 

thanks you guys.

the water pump comes with the gasket, so if I use it, do I need some kind of sealant or just put it between the water pump and the mounting surface directly?

 

i just used the gasket but have heard of people doing it ethier way i would call the dealler and ask what they do

 

RTV = Room Temperature Vulcanization (or something like that)

Anyways, if you haven't already install the pump I would also reccommend RTV instead of liquid gasket. Depending on the application (like the H2O pump) I've always put a light bead of RTV on the mating surface (engine block) and the object that's being bolted on (pump)with a gasket in between if available. I believe RTV comes in several basic colors (red, blue, black and cooper) with each color representing something. I can't remember, read the label but I think it's temperature related. When I had my engine apart (H2O pump, timing chain covers, oil pan, valve covers, cam seals, front seal, etc) I used the black RTV when going back together and all have been well ever since.

 

just as a reference the OEM application, how it came from nissan is blue RTV.
i agree with mike that black seems to be better (normal temps).
your call if you want to use the gasket or not. if both mating surfaces are 99% clean and everything is flat then a gasket would seal equally as well as RTV.

if the pump came with a gasket then use the gasket. if not use the RTV.

might want to use some gasket "dressing" on it. permatex makes it and also some brand like indian head makes it (small brown bottle). brush on one side of the gasket/mating surface so you can align the gasket w/o it falling...it's almost like glue then assemble w/o trying to align gasket and pump as the same time.