Thanks Mark.

Likely the gasket was 1.5mm before it was installed. It measured at
1mm compressed. It wasn't paper but was a strong solid gray material.

Yah I don't know..... hopefully it was just a well meaning, but
misguided mechanic that used the sealant. AFAIK, in general, if the
parts are good, and prep is good, there is no need for sealant.

I didn't know about the difference in steel impellers. Cast solid VS
stamped sheet. I'll make sure to get cast. (hopefully the lesser
quality stamped sheet metal one would have caught my eye -- ;^)

Neil.

On Feb 20, 2008 8:56 AM, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> Depending on year/model, VW lists different thickness of gasket for that
> type of pump. Either .75mm or later 1.5mm. Many of the later ones I see
> with that composite impeller come with a thick metal gasket that has
> raised rubber sealing surfaces. Looking at the gobs of RTV someone used
> on that one in your photo I'd worry about other shortcuts that engine
> may have been subjected to. The damage to the blades may be from contact
> rather than coolant, so perhaps the globbed on RTV was in conjunction
> with a thin paper gasket wrongly used.
>
> As others have mentioned, I would stay away from the aftermarket pumps
> with stamped sheet metal impellers and get a cast solid impeller whether
> metal or composite.
>
> Mark
>
>
> neil N wrote:
> > Heat. Yes of course. I assumed the plastic material was somehow
> > reacting poorly with water/coolant mix.
> >
> > It is an interesting wear pattern on the one I pulled though. I'm
> > going to double check the housing for wear.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Neil.
> >
> > On Feb 20, 2008 6:26 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> I guess I stand corrected regarding the composite impellers. I have not
> >> seen them. My bet is that any type of engine overheating would mean the
> >> end of them.
> >>
> >> Dennis
> >>
> >>
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"

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