LR,

Check carefully for pits where the tube resides in the water pump
housing and fill with JB Weld.  Make sure there are no dings on the end
of the tube.  Use nothing other than some spit or (even better) KY Jelly
as a lube to ease insertion of the tube.  If an o-ring cannot do its job
on its own, using a foreign substance will NOT make it work any better.

You MUST use the correct O-ring.  It is yellow and is made of a more
pliable substance than normal black o-rings.  IIRC, it is 5x25 mm.

Good luck,

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Lorraine Rios
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 8:29 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 85 Vanagon; water housing & Oring sealing

Well, I have exhausted my local used parts people and decided just to
use the
old upper cross over tube before purchasing it new. Previously I had
stated
this upper aluminum water tube that pops into the water housing w/ only
an
oring was pretty bent up. I've since cleaned, straightened it to where I
believe
it has a chance...
I'm ready to install it, but decided to ask the list if anyone has used
any
other sealant other than blue RTV for cooling on the Oring to confirm a
proper
seal? Is there a better sealant to use for water outlets/heat?
Thanks,
LR