Losing coolant

Noddycar · Postby **Noddycar** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:09 pm

Yes, thankfully! Thought I was going mad, because I could not see a look. There was only the slightest amount of leakage visible, but I imagine it would be worse when the car was running. The cap was a little loose, so it looks like if that was firm, there would be more pressure and possibly a greated leak from the pump (guessing here!). But most definitely a leak, so here comes a new water pump.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 3:55 pm

A new water pump is not a 2 min job. If it needs to be done I suggest buy a 'quality" pump and maybe see if there is any value in doing the timing belt which has to be removed.

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:29 pm

Noddycar wrote:Problem found..... Water pump is leaking. Time for a new one!

Just curious, how was problem found? Water seen dripping from crank area? Pump removed and inspected?

Noddycar · Postby **Noddycar** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 4:31 pm

Genuine Mazda pump will be the go.... The timing belt was done at 100000 (now close to 150000), so not sure if I will do that or not. I know it would be easier to do now, but I will see how ambitious I am feeling.

Noddycar · Postby **Noddycar** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:51 pm

"Just curious, how was problem found? Water seen dripping from crank area? Pump removed and inspected?"

I had a little help (well a lot actually

). It pays to know people that know what they are doing. I looked at everything apart from the water pump, so it was nice to have someone around that can confidently pull things apart. I would never have found it by myself, but at least I knew that I had a damn good attempt at finding the problem.

I have decided to do the timing belt as well, so will get the mechanic to have a crack at it, as that is probably going beyond my capabilities.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:20 pm

Noddycar wrote:Undertray is dry,.....
....but if any of these are the cause, it is well hidden.

Did you actually raise the car and remove the undertray? or just stuck your head under the car?

A leaking waterpump would have been easily evident insofar as almost all the bottom of the engine with be covered in coolant, especially the lower half of the front, and the upper side of the undertray will be saturated.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:54 am

Like this.

viewtopic.php?p=564538#p564538

scud · Postby **scud** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:18 am

Noddycar wrote:I have decided to do the timing belt as well, so will get the mechanic to have a crack at it, as that is probably going beyond my capabilities.

I just had the same problem, and went ahead and did it myself. If your confident in doing an oil change, timing belt isnt as hard as you expect.

This was my first time ever attempting a major service. If you were in sydney I'd lend a hand.

I only had hiccups because my thermostat piping had corroded away completely. But other than that I'm really satisfied with myself for completing everything in my own limited garage.

Noddycar · Postby **Noddycar** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 9:19 am

My mate found it while I was at work. Apparently it looks like a minor leak, which makes sense as I had done a reasonable amount of driving between fluid checks (oops) and the radiator was still full (the reservoir was empty). I got a little complacent, even though I have had to top it up, as I had a new top put on the radiator. I had to top it up a couple of times, but the mechanic had warned me that it might need topping up after driving it for a bit, so I thought little of it. I'd say the pump must have failed after the radiator was done, because the guy that looks after my car is very thorough and was likely to have noticed.

Anyway, by the end of today will have a new water pump, most likely a new timing belt and a set of bearings. Hopefully I then won't have to worry about cooking the engine. I have been pretty lucky with the car since I bought it, with most of the work I have done being voluntary (suspension upgrade, new soft top, stereo, changing over to synthetics in the tranny, tyres and wheels etc). Apart from the radiator and normal servicing, it has been pretty damned fine!

I cop some ribbing over the size of the car, but anyone that has bagged an MX-5 hasn't dríven one! Anyway, thanks for all of the advice. I have learnt a few extra places to look to leaks, if it ever happens again! Or, like this time, I can find someone that knows what they are doing when I draw a blank!

The timing belt etc is too big a job for me to take on at the moment, so it's time for the experts to take over. If it was simpler, I would be happy to do it myself.

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:45 am

It is also common that the gasket has failed and is leaking, so unless you are 100% certain the pump is failed, it might pay to just pull it down, and take it for an inspection and decide on either just new gaskets or new pump - would save you the difference between $5 and $150 and if you do it yourself, you'll feel proud that you are driving around in something that your sweat/effort helped!

G