coolant leak.
 

hey hey,
i took my car (83 'GSL') out for her weekly drive (now i got me a bike the Rx doesnt get driven as much.. damn petrol prices) the other day.

checked over the engine when i got back and everything seemed okay. the next day there was a big wet spot under the car.

turnbs out that theres a coolant leak comming from where the main pulley connects to the engine. its just below the thermostat housing (which isnt leaking), and its just a slow drip.

ill try to get some pics but its in a bitch of a spot to get to.

just curious if anyone has seen or heard fo this before.. and how to fix it aswell?

-Cheers

Sounds like the water pump. Mine leaks there as well. Alot of people say to simply replace the water pump, but I honestly dont know why. I would think that gaskets would be the only thing needing replacement. Unless, of course if the bearings are bad. Then replace the whole thing.

Thats the water pump all right! If you do not have play in the pulley, leave it and just replace the gasket. If you have play get a new one. Only $70US!

OK, so apparently there are not any gaskets available. I checked auto zone, o'reillys, and advance auto parts. I tried NAPA, but got some weird error message. Though, they are only 25-45 bucks depending where you get it and which one you want. I still say that if it doesnt have any play to simply use permatex. Kind of crappy deal that not even felpro makes those two gaskets (connecting water pump to block and water pump pulley/pump assembly to water pump housing). I think I will call mazda to see if they can get the gasket and how much it is.

UPDATE: I called mazda and they say that the gaskets and the water pump have been discontinued. So I guess we are SOL on an OEM pump or gasket set.

Ask the desk person for a role of gasket material and make your own. Thats what I did!

If the pump is leaking out the weep hole, replace it. Don't wait for it to fail and possibly seize up on you, while you're running it. Good time also, to do a coolant flush and fill and check your belts.

You can get the gaskets or the pump from Mazdatrix.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/b9wpumps.htm

sweet.. thanks guys, figure i may aswell leave the lcutch fan out while im in there... yay.. more reasons to spend money :D