Trying to diagnose a coolant leak problem... I have an '87 NA SE and it is leaking underneath (near) the alternator, ac, etc belts. I see coolant leaking from there and see some greenish (coolant) build-up. My guess is, it is a bad waterpump but I'm unsure if that is where it is located. Anybody have a clue or know exactly where it is? Sorry dont have a manual handy.

The car is not overheating (yet) but I have to constantly pour water on the reservoir tank. any help is appreciated!

Thanks for reading.

 

Check the thermostat housing gasket, that seems to be right in that area. Wouldnt hurt to change that and see if the leak stops before you go buying a new waterpump.

 

Y'know the center pulley (the alt belt and air pump belt each go around it) with all the bolt ends sticking out of it? It's right about front-and-center on the engine? (Sorry for the lame desc - I'm exhausted and should be in bed.) The pulley turns the screw for the water pump. Does it look like the coolant is coming from behind/inside that pulley? If so, the pump is shot. I've had two pumps die like this and I've been told that you can't rebuild them yourself (or that it's at least a massive PITA to do it.)

Getting a used one is cheap and they're easy to change out. Be sure to remove the pulley b4 you pull off the housing. And leave the pulley off of the replacement until you get the housing in place (get it in place, but don't bolt it in - you're going to have to do som ewiggling to get the pulley in after it and into place.) You'll see what I mean when you go to do it.

If the leak is from the outside edge of the pump housing, then try replacing the gasket (very cheap.) Remember to slap some RTV on both sides of the new one.


Just found this pic of the water pump at MAzdatrix's site...

http://www.mazdatrix.com/pictures/b-engprt/b11-3.jpg

Here's the page...

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

 

Yes, exactly the place where the leak is coming from.

Thanks to both for your suggestions and expertise! I'm hoping it's a waterpump gasket only and not the actual waterpump.

 

If you're going to pull a 14 year old water pump off to replace a gasket - replace the damn pump as well - an exchange pump only costs about $55C and as replacement is a time consuming and tedious job, you would be pretty dumn to put the old pump back on again!
Ian

 

Thanks Ian. You read my mind. Not only did I had the waterpump changed but also the alternator, etc belts. =)