water pump mounting plate pitted

[Joshua Van Tol]

> _______________________________________________
>>> Hey!  I'm one of those "VW Vanagon nutcases".  I've used JB Weld to fill
>>> those pits for years.  I learned it from a BMW TSB.  I've used the technique
>>> on a 5K with good results.  You MUST use the regular slow drying type, and
>>> the surface MUST be as clean as you can get it.  I use a wire brush, carb
>>> cleaner, a razorblace, and compressed air.  Apply the JB Weld sparingly with
>>> a putty knife, let it dry for 24 hours, file or sand it flat with a wide
>>> tool so you don't induce any irregularities, and reapply more epoxy as
>>> necessary, allowing it to dry the full cure time and again sanding it flat.
>>>  Patience, in this case, is not only a virtue, it's the only thing that will
>>> make the job work.
>>>
>>
>
I used to be one of those nutcases too, but sanity prevailed.



>  As for silicone sealant, this isn't a job it was made for, and an Audi
>>> engine isn't the engine it was made for, either. John
>>>
>>
I've used silicone sealant in this application, and it does work. It may not
be the most pleasing solution, but it does work just fine. The varieties
with more solids (such as the gray permatex stuff) seem to work better, and
are much easier to work with as they're firmer, less sticky, and spread
better.