Sorry guys but I am about ready to install a new water pump and reseal the oil pump on my 1997 Legacy with an EJ22 engine and I am trying to figure outr the best sealants to use for the oil pump and the water pump. Oil pump has no gasket (just the O-ring) and I have a genuine Subaru oil pump gasket. I did a search here but all I found was controversy. Anaerobic vs. aerobic.... Three bond versus ultra gray versus Hylomar.... Has it ever been established what is the BEST for each of these applications????

 

I am ready to pouit this thing back together. Need to resolve this issue pronto!

 

Thanks again,

Mike V.

Sorry guys but I am about ready to install a new water pump and reseal the oil pump on my 1997 Legacy with an EJ22 engine and I am trying to figure outr the best sealants to use for the oil pump and the water pump. Oil pump has no gasket (just the O-ring) and I have a genuine Subaru oil pump gasket. I did a search here but all I found was controversy. Anaerobic vs. aerobic.... Three bond versus ultra gray versus Hylomar.... Has it ever been established what is the BEST for each of these applications????

 

I am ready to pouit this thing back together. Need to resolve this issue pronto!

 

Thanks again,

Mike V.

 

 

o.k. sounds like you're o.k. but mis-typed. You have an oil pump Oring and a WATER PUMP gasket - correct?

 

That and a tube of ultra grey is all that you need.

 

WP gasket gets NOTHING if it's OEM (rubber coated metal).

 

Oil pump gets Oring and ultra grey(instead of a gasket).

 

Just did another one this week. I may post pics next week. Worst screwed up crank, new harmonic balancer, cogged crank pulley, and chewed up oil pump that Iv'e personally torn apart.

 

Permatex Ultra Grey is the only goo that you need for a Suby Engine. Anything from oil pan to corners by cam caps when doing HG's, oil pump, baffle plate, etc.

 

It's relatively inexpensive and readily available. It may not be "exotic" but I haven't had any failures and I do believe it's an officially recommended equivalent.

 

Don't forget to double check the oil pump screws for kicks (usually they are o.k. on 2.2's).

Thanks Davebugs. Yeah, I meant water pump gasket. Sorry, I am in a bit of a rush and am having a run of bad luck lately. Need to make sure I don't screw up and make more bad luck!

 

I thought Ultra Grey was the way to go but when I did my search this morning I discovered a bunch of nay-sayers. OK, I am heading to NAPA to pick up a tube.

 

Mike V.

Live update!

 

1. Two of the oil pump backplate screws were loose!

 

2. The "O-ring" that was in there was not circular. It was sort of squeezed in on the sides. Ever seen that before? Is that the way they were at the factory?

screws are often loose - that's more common than not. tighten them with lock-tite.

 

yes the orings can get deformed over time.

Good thing you checked the screws.

 

The Orings usually seem deformed. Don't know if it's from use/age or if it gets dislodged when removing the cover.

 

Just make sure the new one is Blue/Purple/whatever and not Black. If it's OEM you're good to go.

The O-ring definitely did not get deformed upon removal. It is set in its unusual shape. And the witness marks on the pump surface matches that shape.

 

The new O-ring I got from Subaru is black.

 

Do I need to prime the oil pump before re-installation? (I am going to start a new thread on that issue.

 

Mike

no need to prime oil pump.