2009 Rogue 120,000 miles.

I am replacing alternator, waterpump, tensioner, and idler pulley, just so theoretically those should be good for another 5 years or more (100,000 miles).
However, I am getting mixed messages about the water pump.

a) 1 source says to remove WP, then put bead of gasket sealer on rim of new WP and install.

b) 1 source says to use a gasket only.

c) Another source says to put a thin film of RTV sealer on the gasket and surface of the WP. Stick gasket to new WP together, then install on engine.

I am used to doing it the "B" way, but I know each car is different. Which is the correct/best way to install WP on 2009 Rogue?
( I might do it "C" way, but I can't see A being a good way on this kind of work)

OK... I found a paper for the waterpump ( AC Delco)...

It says do not use RTV on rubber or metal gaskets.
Failure to use RTV silicone on fiber gasket will allow leaks.

So the gasket I have looks like thin gray cardboard paper (which I assume is fiber).
SO... do I add RTV to both sides of the gasket or just one side of the gasket that mates with the surface of the water pump?

I have always coated the cardboard gasket with a THIN smear of grey RTV. Put the RTV on your forefinger and thumb and drag the gasket through gently, immediately prior to assembly You just want to 'color' the paper, not load it up.

I found some sealant, but it is the kind you brush on.
The can says to wait until the sealant is tacky (about 5 mins), then put the gasket on the WP, then the WP on the engine.
The "RTV sealer" I was looking at before was actually a gasket maker - I don't want to use this. You have to wait 24 hours for it to cure.

AZhitman- You are saying to put sealer on the gasket. This is what I saw on Youtube (fast forward to 5:10 and see what they do). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGsPsrc2MVw&t=354s

The real question is
1) do I coat one side or both sides of the gasket?
2) In the Youtube video, he also coats the surface of the water pump ( but it looks like he just coated ONE side of the gasket to make it stick to the WP).

which is it? I am tempted to just coat both sides of the gasket and not the WP.

Simple, follow your gut.

It will tend to make you happier in the end.

OK, I'll be the guinea pig here.

I decided to "paint" sealant on one side of the gasket and mating surface of the water pump.
Then stuck the two surfaces together, and installed the WP.
The one side of the gasket was not "painted" is the side that touched the engine.

I will come back here and let you know if it failed...

Seriously thinking you’re over analyzing it.

The whole point of the gasket is to seal the parts whatever it may be.

I almost did the same with my transmission gaskets but decided to just use petroleum jelly to keep it in place while installing my pan. From advice I got online.

No sealant or gasket maker stuff,

Never had a problem.

Also googled this:

Search Results
Featured snippet from the web

When changing a water pump, replace all old gaskets and seals with new ones. If your new pump comes with a seal, make sure it's in impeccable condition before installing it. ... Perhaps you're tempted to apply sealant to an O-ring or a dry seal, just to be 'extra safe', but these seals don't need sealant!Jun 8, 2017

You finished before I could reply, but you do both sides of the gasket.

Oh well... we will see how it goes. If the gasket starts leaking, then I will have to do both sides next time.

When I took the old WP off, it had a metal gasket. The new WP I put on came with a thin cardboard like gasket.