Questions and Answers

Lincoln Continental Water Pump Leak Q. Hi, I have a 1990 Lincoln Continental which has developed a leak at the area where the water pump meets the engine block. My questions are this: Do I need to purchase a new water pump if the old one is not leaking? Is a gasket necessary during installation or is silicone sealant sufficient? Should I travel 30 to 50 miles (highway driving) with the leak or should I have it repaired immediately?

A. Here are your answers:

1. If the gasket is leaking and needs to be replaced, and the water pump has a lot of miles on it, I would suggest replacing it. This is a fairly big job on this engine and you don't want to replace the gasket today and next month the water pump.
2. Yes, a new gasket is necessary when replacing the water pump. I also recommend the use of 3M Weatherstrip adhesive on the water pump side of the gasket and Permatex #2 gasket sealer on the engine side of the gasket.
3. Leaks are not like wine, they don't improve with age. They only get worse. If you want to roll the dice on everything holding together on a trip, go for it. However, I would recommend getting it repaired as soon as possible.