coolant return pipe torque spec - 3.1 MPFI

[Guest TurboSedan]

it's the upper coolant return pipe that comes across the front of the engine and dumps into the top of the water pump. it uses a cork gasket there and two 10mm bolts. what it the torque spec for these? also should i use any RTV?

 

TIA

[Robby1870]

I always use RTV on that gasket. As for torque spec.....I just tighten to like what feels right, which is usually like 10-15ft-lbs (never checked though, just guessing based on years of torque wrench use). There may not even be a torque spec for those bolts

[GutlessSupreme]

cork gasket? where it meets the water pump? mine's just a normal gasket..

 

When I change the one on the Cutlass I didn't use any RTV. Hell, I twisted off one of the bolt heads, and it still holds fine and doesn't leak a drop.

 

The Grand Prix will probably get a drop of RTV I guess. I could look up the torque spec, but I don't think it's that important. just don't over tighten and twist the head off like I did.

[Guest TurboSedan]

thanks guys. i'll probably just use a thin coating of RTV on both sides of the cork gasket and then just tighten it down until it feels tight enough with a 1/4" drive ratchet handle.

[Brian P]

If you didn't finish already, put some anti-sieze on the threads of those bolts. They LOVE to twist off and break. Happened to me twice, but luckily it was one on 2 cars!

[Guest TurboSedan]

If you didn't finish already, put some anti-sieze on the threads of those bolts. They LOVE to twist off and break. Happened to me twice, but luckily it was one on 2 cars!

 

thanks for the heads up

[cutlsp]

good double post too

J/k when it did that thing your talking about i just tightened it gentlely into place and alternated between the bolts.