9 replies to this topic

[Stix37867]

Which brand of water pump does everyone use?

 

When I rebuilt the motor last summer, I replaced the existing water pump from the local parts store with a factory Mazda pump and new gasket. Well at Hallett this year, I noticed it seemed to be seeping water as the plastic undertray would accumulate grime from the water drip on it. I took it apart before Blackhawk and looked for evidence of where it was coming from. I could not find anything but possibly found something on the gasket. I had a spare Mazda gasket and installed. After Blackhawk, I noticed the seep is back so I will probably just replace the water pump again.

 

I noticed the Mazda brand spins much more freely than the auto parts brand. Is there another brand I should be using than the factory Mazda pumps that spin just as free?

 

[UCFBrett]

O.E.M.

[Stix37867]

Since no one seems to be chiming in, clearly I just got a bad unit from Mazda. I will reorder another from Mazda and hope for the best.

[LarryKing]

If I'm reading your assessment correctly you do not know for certain that the water pump was bad, only that you had a leak somewhere.

[Stix37867]

Correct. It's only speculation as the leak is very small, maybe a cup or two per race. I wasn't going to chance it again and hate ripping apart the front off the motor so I had just planned to replace the pump along with the seals and the seal for the thermostat neck. I do know it is running down the front of the motor only so it has to be one of those.

[DrDomm]

I had a very minor leak like that on my '94...it was a pinhole leak in one of those little ancillary coolant hoses.  Depending where on the hose the pinhole is, it might spray in the direction of your puddle.  Just a thought.

[Duncan]

Correct. It's only speculation as the leak is very small, maybe a cup or two per race. I wasn't going to chance it again and hate ripping apart the front off the motor so I had just planned to replace the pump along with the seals and the seal for the thermostat neck. I do know it is running down the front of the motor only so it has to be one of those.

 

Great excuse to buy a radiator pressure tester.  Makes it very simple to find leaks.

[Stix37867]

Great excuse to buy a radiator pressure tester.  Makes it very simple to find leaks.

Duh!!! Can't believe I didn't even think of that. I'm sure the old man has one laying around in his collection of 1950s tools.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Alberto]

Great excuse to buy a radiator pressure tester.  Makes it very simple to find leaks.

 

You can 'rent' them too from your local auto parts store.

[Sphinx]

You can 'rent' them too from your local auto parts store.

 

+1. And the rent is zero if you return it.