I have read the FAQs about the water pump, but I have another query.

If it turns out that the culprit is the metal pipe that goes from the block to the pump, held on by an O-ring, it is recommended that RTV be put on it. What, exactly, is RTV? <---NEWBIE!!!!!

It is a sort of silicone like glue that withstands high temperature and sticks well to a lot of hoses and metals. Great for joining or repairing the blue turbo hoses and for sealing things. Even holds up on exhaust manifold gasket repair. Available in red (high temp) and black types in any auto parts store.

RTV stands for 'room temperature vulcanizing', I believe. It's a nickname for the blue Permatex. Black would work fine as well, I bet. I've always used the blue on this gasket. I coat both inner and outer surfaces of the O ring, then slip it on the pipe, then use the bolt through the water pump body and the tang on the pipe to draw the pipe into the water pump body. I haven't had any trouble with leaks at this connection since I've begun to use the blue Permatex.

Rob