Water pump inlet pipe o-ring - did I eff it up?

[fastawdtsi]

I got the head back in the car, and to play it safe, I added a touch of oil to the coolant inlet pipe o-ring, where the pipe slides in to the thermostat housing. It all went in good, no issues.

Then, like an idiot, I read the service manual AFTER I did the above and noticed the following:



Did I eff up? Why would that be such a huge "CAUTION"?

[Pool Playen Bob]

Im like 99.9% sure your ok. I really doubt oil will eat it away or swell it. Even for that little bit you used. I use the shit out of vaseline around the shop i work at. Theres even applications where they ask for dish soap as lubricant on injectors. Pick your poison and install.

As long as you didn't roll the o-ring or cut it you shouldn't have an issue.

[fastawdtsi]

Originally Posted by Pool Playen Bob

Im like 99.9% sure your ok. I really doubt oil will eat it away or swell it. Even for that little bit you used. I use the shit out of vaseline around the shop i work at. Theres even applications where they ask for dish soap as lubricant on injectors. Pick your poison and install.

As long as you didn't roll the o-ring or cut it you shouldn't have an issue.

Thanks for the reassurance. :-)

[Yxd68]

As noted above, modern o-rings are impervious to almost everything. And it's not like you're lubing the o-rings on the oxy-acetylene torch regulators or your scuba tank where oil would be a bad thing.

I use isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) as lube for hoses, o-rings, etc. that need to be wet and slippery to install. Dries fast, smells great, leaves no residue.