TIL the hard way about using a torque wrench on a water pump

Last week, I was putting a new water pump on a 6.7 Powerstroke. I got to the last bolt and my good torque wrench was on the other side of the shop. I had a choice: walk over and get it, or just use my regular ratchet and 'feel' it. I went with the ratchet, thinking I knew the feel for 18 foot-pounds. Snapped the bolt right off in the housing. Spent the next three hours drilling it out, which was a huge pain. My boss just shook his head and said, 'You know better.' He was right. That ten-second walk would have saved me half a day. It was a dumb, lazy choice that cost me time and a new bolt. Anyone else ever get bit by skipping the right tool for speed?

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3 Comments

kevin_singh326mo ago

Feel your pain... learned that lesson on a thermostat housing once.

5

emma_clark6mo ago

Actually I've had the opposite happen! Left one on a water pump overnight and it was totally fine. I think the metal just needs to cool down evenly. The quick temp change from spraying it is what cracks things, not the sitting there.

9

nancy_smith6mo ago

Overnight? You're braver than me.

3