I have spent a ton of time replacing my timing belt, water pump and all the usual seals etc. I go to fill up my radiator and coolant starts leaking (gushing) from the bottom of the engine. I am double sure I torqued all the water pump bolts to the correct 14ft/lbs and I used a new gasket that came with the pump. I followed a DIY on this site... I used permatex ultra black with the new gasket is this not right? Some people say use gray but honestly I didn’t think there would be much of a difference.... what did I do wrong? Has this happened to anyone before?

You used make a gasket in conjunction with a metal gasket? If so that’s probably the problem.

Yes I did this.... should I have just gone with the metal gasket and nothing else.

Ugh I’m so mad with myself

I thought it would help to have more gasket material than less. Why is this not the case?

I’ll let someone else chime in to verify. Did you connect the return line back securely on the water pump?

Do you mean the line that runs to the oil cooler? If so yes I did and I’ve clarified the leak isn’t coming out of that area by the Tstat. I can’t quite tell exactly where the leak is coming from since I can only easily pull the top timing belt cover.

I appreciate your help. I’m really annoyed that I’m going to have test it all apart again.

A few tips for the water pump:

1. Some aftermarket water pump gaskets are just a solid gasket and have no rubberized edges. These do not seal as well as the OEM gasket which has a rubber lip all around, why this matters is below.

2. The block will start to rust and pit due to age. This causes the mating surface between the pump and the block to become VERY uneven. A razor blade and some elbow grease can get it smooth again and it takes a bit of work but ensures the mating surface will last.

3. Permatex makes specific sealants for specific purposes. Normally black is used for oil seals and blue is for water pumps since it's a high heat, water only application. Not saying it was wrong to use it but there's better suited ones out there for your need than black which are available at any parts store. Gasket makers and sealants are less desirable than just having a very smooth mating surface and using the OEM gaskets. If you are coming from working on a GM vehicle, pull the gasket makers away as you'll rarely ever use them.

This is most likely your problem. You do not use any kind of sealer on the water pump gasket.

The only thing that doesn't make sense is that you said coolant is "gushing" out. I would think it could leak because of the gasket/sealer combo but not "gush".

Before you tear it all apart, make sure there isn't something obvious that explain the gushing coolant.

Unfortunately it sounds like you're going to need to pull it back apart to fix it. I would order a new OEM gasket and make sure you clean up the WP and sealing area really well.

I'm not sure which video/write up you used but I suggest using Tim/Seans videos that can be found on Youtube. Here it is.

Good luck

Like thegipper said no matter what colour sealant you used at most it might have weeped a bit but not gushed.

I always use a thin bit of sealant but that's just me.

Thanks for all the input. I’m about to get stuck into it again. I’m hoping something obvious like forgotten bolts (not that I have any spare on my workbench). I’m still suspicious about how it was gushing and not weeping. It took about 30mins for a gallon to pour out. It was a steady thin stream

What was it? Hose?