I didn't remove the timing cover so those bolts should be fine and I tightened the water pump to 30ft/lbs as the manual stated.

 

Best I remember, several of the pump bolts (if not all) go through the timing cover. Removing them probably disturbed the set on timeing cover gasket. Is the leak near one of them? May want to tighten a little more, but not enough to strip the threads....

May have to take timing cover off and replace gasket. Lot of work, bt it is the best way to solve the problem.

 

The manner in which the water pump is separated from the TC cover is what usually causes the TC gasket to get damaged.

 

Yeah, I think it's a good idea, as a matter of course, if you take off the water pump, reseal the timing cover as well. Otherwise, you get to do it all again....

Don't use the stop leak, it will only postpone (maybe) a necessary repair. and while you are in there, change the timing chain and gears too.

 

At the very least, use a putty knife to carefully pry the WP from the TC. Not smacking it loose like even the manuals suggest. Not "everything" in the FSM or Haynes is the way to go.

 

None of us who've seen what that crap does to the innards of the machine would. I know how tempting it can seem, but you're always better off doing a job right.

The good news is that with your recent experience you can get the job done in half the time you just spent on it. You can save the new coolant in a bucket, so you'll be out for just the gasket set and whatever bit of coolant manages to find the floor. Nuthin' to it but to do it.

 

Are there any "special" tools required to change the timing cover gasket?

 

Nothing more than used to change water pump.

 

Never hurts to have a little RTV Silicone around either....Just to aide the gasket....

 

I thought I had read somewhere that I need a special "puller" to get a pulley off or something. I guess that is not the case. I will get my manual when the rain lets up and take a look at the procedure, but I thought I had looked already and saw that I needed a puller of some sort.