Think I used the wrong kind of RTV

OK I know i screwed up so please just try to give me a straight answer.

I used "Clear RTV" when i put the water pump back on my 1993 V6 3.2l Rodeo motor. Now after some thought i realized that "Clear RTV" is not High Temp gasket type RTV. My bad for not knowing that all RTV were not alike.

So my question is, Do I need to pull the water pump back off and remove the Clear RTV and redo it with High Temp RTV?
What are some of the issues I will run into if i leave the Clear RTV in there? Is it going to break down and cause the water pump to leak?

OK thanks for the advice ahead of time.

The worst that will happen is it will start to leak. If it leaks, pull it off and re-do it with black, grey, or red RTV. Depending on how much you used, the silicates in the coolant will precipitate out on the silicone molecules and make a jello-like growth around the seal inside. At worst it will shorten the life of the pump slightly or clog the heater core. Both easily fixable things.

Surprisingly enough, water pumps do not see 'high temps'. The 200-220 deg that a water pump might get is within the temp range of any basic automotive type RTV sealer.

The BIG difference in normal "one-part"(caulk gun) rtv silicones:
Regular 400°F
High-Temp 500°F

You will be fine. I use the clear caulk gun type (GE brand) all the time for waterpumps, thermostat housings, valve covers, etc., and have never had an issue. I like the clear because it looks better. Any of it is WAY better than what we used to have. Anyone remember Indian Head Shelliac???

yes i actually used it about a year ago... that stuff was nasty.

yes i actually used it about a year ago... that stuff was nasty.

You think it's bad going on, wait until you must chisel the part off to remove it.

you could use a chisel?? i had to practically use explosives on it...