And recover Paper gasket my arse

Well, went to the Devon 4x4 open day on Sunday and had a great time. On the drive back there was an odd noise coming from under the bonnet, opened it up to see water p*ssing out the water pump. Went back to Devon 4x4 and got a new pump and fitted it that afternoon, now it all went according to plan apart from the bit in the haynes manual that said 'and recover paper gasket'. It didn't say that it would have changed from paper into something like cryptonite and become bonded to the block at a molecular level !!! took me ages with wooden scrapers and scotchbrite pads.. is there an easier way for next time..cheers

In a word -No. I find that one of those scrapers with a Stanley knife blade makes a good job, but it's still a b----r of a job.

hahahahahahahahah i had exactly the same thing happen to me. I used a stanley blade, be carefull not to cut into the aluminium though. then i applied a tiny bit of silicone to both sides of the paper gasket just for the sake of it, been sound the last 7 months. touch wood.

the edge of a 2p coin works as well and is less damaging than a stanley blade.

I use a paper stripping knife and brake cleaner it always works for me.