How possible is it for the waterpump to leak from the bearing?

 

very possible. that means its toast. time for a new one. its the w/p's way of saying hey man i need replaced!!

 

It's possible. I've never heard of it happening on 7's but way back in the day my parents had an old plymouth duster that leaked coolant from the water pump bearing. But it wasn't enough to warrant changing it out. Just a few drops here and there.

 

hm... this is interesting. i changed the gaskets 3 times, and it still leaks. its dripping off the bottom most bolt.

 

If it leaks on the Nose of the Pump( where the shaft is) and coolant is seeping out that Little Weep hole( manufacturer drills a little hole on it) then YES,it is Telling you to Replace it.
Now,If you are leaking On the gasket part of the Waterpump,or on the bolt areas,then I would be checking the mating surfaces of the Pump and the Housing to make sure that you have a Flat Contact surface.
I beieve that 2 of the Bolts go through the Housing,(long Bolts),.You could try a dab of Sealant on the Bolt when you install it.

 

Normal failure mode.

 

That's how mine went about 6 months ago. There is a "weep hole" that it's coming out of, and then dripping down to the bottom bolt.

Do yourself a favor and call up Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda and get an OEM reman (forum vendor with great price). Don't buy a crappy autozone reman, I just had one fail on my dad's Corolla. The OEM reman is not that expensive with his discount. It's maybe $10 more than buying a parts store one after you mail in your core. (866) 496-3613 ask for Mazda parts and then Ray Crowe, M-F 8-4PM Eastern

 

They do not leak from the "Bearing" but from the seal that protects the bearing. Is there any shaft play. Grab the fan and move it in and out by grabbing it on each side of the blades.

 

no shaft play at all.