[joalnin]

I have rebuilt my sierra (1.3) engine and it is swinging on the hoist above the engine bay for the last couple of days as I am debating if I instaled the water inlet pipe right.
I replaced the pipe with a new one and got a new o-ring (from a Suzuki dealer so I assume it's the right size) as well but when I put the pipe in the back of the water pump the o-ring appears to have some play in it. Is this normal(?) as I think it will leak as it doesn't appear to be water tight? The o-ring wasn't a tight fit on the pipe and moved freely around it.
My fear is that I drop the motor in and it does leak and then I have to fix it inplace (which will be hard with my fat fingers and short arms - ha ha - no seriously) and I wont know how to fix it as I didn't do it right on the first place.
Can anyone help? Please - it's been doing my head in!

Sorry if I'm going over old ground but my basic search skills counldn't find an answer.
Thanks again

[BigRay]

Hi mate,

The water pipe o-ring should be a tight fit on the pipe and the pipe should be a tight fit in the block when the o-ring is on. Make sure the o-ring is lubricated with silicon grease or petroleum jelly and it should all go together nicely.

Ray

[want33s]

Do not use petroleum jelly on the o-ring. You don't want any oil or grease contaminating the corrosion inhibitor.
Use rubber grease or my favourite, a smear of grey rtv silicone.
O ring should be firm on the pipe and the pipe should "pop" into the pump.

[BigRay]

Nothing wrong with a bit of jelly, a smear on an O-ring will not contaminate the corrosion inhibitor. I wouldn't recommend sealant beacause an o-ring doesn't need it and you'll hate yourself if the pipe ever has to come again, you'll be cleaning sticky sealant from a tricky spot.

Ray

[joalnin]

Thanks for that great advice.
I'm going to back myself and go with what I've done so far (which is pretty much what you guys have said anyway) and I'm going to drop it in tomorrow - yeah!

[want33s]

Petroleum jelly or non rubber grease shouldn't be used on o-rings unless they are specifically made to handle it.

I have always used a smear of rtv and NEVER had a drama removing the water manifold pipe or ever had one leak.
The manifold pipes are often pitted with rust and I wouldn't trust just an o-ring to seal it into the water pump.