Water pipe leaking

[talon2gbuyer]

So, after replacing my bum turbo Ive run into an issue. I upgraded from a 16g to a 20g and as such had to dent in the big water pipe that crosses in front of the engine. After I was done denting it, had the turbo installed with clearance against it, I noticed it was dripping where the water pipe meets the rest of the cooling system (not the water pump, the other part that has the cap and all the hoses connect). So after removing the turbo, the manifold, draining the cooling system, removing the hoses and getting the housing off, I looked at the o-ring that seals the water pipe and did not notice any damage to it nor the housing it sits inside. So i put in a little bit of "The right stuff" and let it cure overnight. I filled the cooling system today and it is still drip-leaking. When you press on the hoses or remove the cap, it increase from a drip to a stream. Anyone have any other idea's on how to tackle this leak? I've tried everything I can think of, and nothing seems to work on it since it is pressurized. Ideas?

I know there are other threads about this, but they all point to a damaged o-ring, mine does not appear to be damaged in any way. Is it a one time use thing? like if you remove it once it breaks and needs replacing? or should I just RTV the shit out of it and hope for the best?

 

[Mischif]

The o-ring can be re used if its still in good shape.

So its not leaking from the water pump end but the other end of it. Only thing on the other end is where all the hoses connect to it. So either a hose is leaking or it has a pin hole in the pipe itself somewhere? Only thing i can think of is to take off the hose you suspect is leaking and clean the nipple area and then reattach the hose.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Ok, i'll have to tear it all apart again. I inspected the o-ring but now that I think back on it, i had to use a pick to get it off of the water pipe, so it is possible that it got damaged and I just didn't see it. So i'm gonna have to start from square one again.. .

 

[synthetek]

Replace the O-ring, just becase it looks good doesn't mean that it is. An old O-Ring might have shrunk or it could be deformed or not as flexible as a new one causing it to not seal correctly.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

A very good point Syn, I bought another o-ring that is a tad beefier than the OEM one, not sure whether it is just that the one I had was so worn down, or that is supposedly its regular size . I'm gonna try the one I got last night and try it again. Probably wont be until tomorrow when I can get to it, but i'll update what I find. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[TSITurbo95]

When you hit it, sure it didn't "kink" and slip out of the grove it's suppose to ride in? Could be a piece of debree stuck in there, or it got tweaked when you dented the water pipe. When you install the new o-ring, be sure to lube it up (use spit) and it should seal nicely.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Haha.. you said lube.. Lmao jk, good idea. I'm gonna use the bigger o ring just to promote a tight seal.(that one is also sexual)

 

[TSITurbo95]

You sir have a dirty mind. . .

(I can't say too much, I too have a dirty mind ahahaha)

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

Use spit.. why don't you just tell him to put his mouth on it haha...btw,i think your exaggerating on the bigger o-ring...bet there, would be to much extra and you get,a leak haha...then in your in trouble,. Haha jk

 

[dsmcurse]

I had to once dent my water pipe in also, mine never leaked tho. On the water pump side it plugs in with a o-ring and on the oppisite side you have the lower radiator hose hook up point.

Next to your lower radiator hose hook up point the water pipe has built in welded in little hose hook up points. Those were to water feed the stock turbo.

Are those welded in to the pipe fittings leaking? That might be possible. I used to have a small hose clamped on there with a bolt clamped in the other end to plug off that small port. Then one day when workin on the car and I had the water pipe off the car I had a friend tig weld that closed for me

So if the pipe is cracked, don't worry it can be welded

 

[007jimmy]

I had to once dent my water pipe in also, mine never leaked tho. On the water pump side it plugs in with a o-ring and on the oppisite side you have the lower radiator hose hook up point.

Next to your lower radiator hose hook up point the water pipe has built in welded in little hose hook up points. Those were to water feed the stock turbo.

Are those welded in to the pipe fittings leaking? That might be possible. I used to have a small hose clamped on there with a bolt clamped in the other end to plug off that small port. Then one day when workin on the car and I had the water pipe off the car I had a friend tig weld that closed for me

So if the pipe is cracked, don't worry it can be welded

On a stock 2g 7bolt we have o-rings on both sides of the large waterpipe. To the OP hope you didnt kink the pipe to the point that even a new o-ring cant seal. Any pics of the damage?

 

[dsmcurse]

oops, sorry, forgot it was 2gmotor. for some damn reason i almost always asume that everyone has a 6bolt swap... sorry

 

[Ethand14]

Same thing happened to me. My o-ring didn't look damaged, but I just replaced it. When putting everything back together, I just made sure I put extra pressure on the t-stat housing to the water pipe when tightening everything up.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

Okie dokie, I just pulled the central cooling junction... again. And as before, o-ring seemed fine (i even gasket sealed the shit out of it this time) and it was still leaking. Cleaned everything, lightly sanded the mating surface and this time just poured some coolant into the little lower jacket where the water pipe meets and yet again, dripping coolant. So my thought at this time is that when I was smashy smashy-ing the water pipe, I must have caused a hairline crack at the junction, and that seems to be where its leaking. I pointed out on the pictures where the leak seems to originate, but i am nearly 100% sure this is where its coming from.

I am thinking of just getting a new o-ring (have to travel to a diff. parts store, as the local one doesnt have mine in stock, nor anything else for a 4g63 it seems.. cant even find a fuel filter through them) but if that doesnt work then i'm going to replace the water pipe entirely. I'm not gonna lie, i was a hair away from just supergluing the entire thing together . I'll post up the pics when my mail service decides it wants to send them to me .

 

[talon2gbuyer]

An update, I went to Napa today to get a nee o ring, and the one they have there which is supposed to be an OEM o ring is bigger than the one I pulled out of the water pipe. So I'm gonna try that one and use some engine oil to lube it enough to get the damn housing on. I'll let you guys know if that works!