Water pump o-ring placement

Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Confused about where the o-ring goes on the install of the water pump. I stuck it in the actual pump inlet part where the inlet pipe goes and it leaked miserably from there. So now I have attached a picture of the inlet pipe, and just wanted some input about where I fit the ring. Any input, however insignificant you may think it is, would be appreciated.

The Chilton manual says this :

12. For 1.5L engines, install a new o-ring into the groove on the front end of the water inlet pipe. Do not apply oils or grease to the o-ring. Wet the o-ring with water only 13.

But I do not see the groove.
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 6:56 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
The pictures that you mentioned did not get attached if you don't mind trying again, that would be great.

Also, I attached a picture of the water pump and the inlet groove that should allow an o-ring to sit in it. Let me know if I am not understanding the issue and if you can get that picture, that will help us get on the same page.

Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Here are the pictures:
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Hi,

For some reason, your pic didn't attach. Please upload that for me to see. The manual isn't showing pics of the o-ring install. If I see what you are working with, I should recognize what needs done.

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Do I place the o-ring inside the water pump or fit it to the pipe that goes into the water pump? I should mention that I already have replaced the pump, taking off the timing belt, etc. But now when I noticed that the leak was coming from the inlet pipe, I decided to go at it from the opposite way "via disconnecting the inlet pipe". I tried to attach the pics again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Okay, I reread your post, I see now the inlet groove. Thank you, let me go try that avenue.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. Great. Yes. It should sit in there and the pipe seal into the inlet. Just make sure you don't use any grease like it says or the seal will swell and not seal.

Thanks for the update.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
So do you know if the pipe in my pics rest on the o-ring? Seems odd as you can see in my pictures my the end of my pipe is jagged in some parts. Last resort was I was going to put the pipe into the proper place, the use some JB Weld to create the seal.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 8:27 PM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
And did pictures make it to you (3 of them)?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 24th, 2020 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
I suspect that it is leaking due to the jagged end that you mentioned. Take a look at the picture I attached. The seal sits in the inlet and and then that pipe presses against the seal and this causes the seal. I suspect you are going to have some issues unless you can get that pipe tight enough to over come those jagged edges.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
To add; upon deeper inspection I also notice a hole in the dang pipe. Anyways, thanks for your help/guidance on this, you can close this.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 11:07 AM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Final question. So do you have any type of illustration that depicts how the finished connection looks like internally?

In the attached picture, the red part is the inlet pipe of the physical water pump, then comes the o-ring, then the yellow part is my (jagged pipe). Does my pipe actually hit the o-ring?

Thank you
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
SANDSDENVER
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Picture taken from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMolKddoM8
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
That is correct. The "jagged" pipe actually squeezes the seal against the water pump housing.

If there is a hole in it then I would clearly replace it anyway but unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the internal. However it appears you are understanding how it works. Hopefully that helps.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 AT 6:59 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links