I pulled the pump to put in a pettit fan switch, decided to open it up and take a look. I noticed a small area of what looks like corrosion.

If any of you have seen this before please give me an opinion. The car has been running fine. I have the gaskets I need to put it back together and get it back on the car but I was a little hesitant in case this is a big problem.

Please let me know what you think.

Also, there are two hold around behind the water pump pulley, does this pump need to be lubricated because they look like they have a little oil/dust residue around them. Does anybody know about these holes.

Thanks,
Adam

 

i just tore into my whole water pump assembly, it was fodder for one of my youtube vids.

I didnt have any of that. I did have remenants of oil from when the mazda mechanics busted a coolant seal and my peanut butter mixed with my chocolate(oil and coolant).

 

Man....that is NOTHING! On my first engine, the original, by the time it blew up the water pump and filler neck were just ATE AWAY in places. I'm talking severe loss of metal.
You've got some minor discoloration more than anything.

Keep in mind the whole galvanic corrosion effect: anytime you have two dissimilar metals and an electrolyte (in this case, coolant) you are going to have SOME sort of corrosion.
Best way to combat it is to change your coolant out every other year.

 

Thanks guys for the feedback. I figured it would be okay but I am just not familiar with water pump internals. The rest of th pump looks real nice. I'll be glad to get this all back together. Next stop, rats nest.

 

Most of that looks like it's on the surface, some of it from the old gasket/RTV. Put a wire wheel to it, I bet most of that will clean up nice.

Use a THIN coat of grey RTV with the new gasket, that will fill in any minor pits on the flange surface. You'll be good to go.

Yep, you will get SOME galvanic corrosion. Changing the coolant yearly goes a long way towards preventing this.

Dale

 

could tap water have added to this problem? just curious.

 

The only area I was concerned about is more easily visible in the first photo and is almost dead center in the photograph. You can see there is about a .5mm pitted around that is darker.

Tap water has never been used, only 50/50 distilled and prestone, and has been flushed each year.

I guess I will reassemble and forget about it.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Though it might be worth peace of mind to throw in a new water pump - probably don't need to, but that's how I roll .

Dale

 

it'll be fine. the 2 holes in the front are weepholes, to allow coolant to escape in case of a seal failure. DO NOT APPLY ANY OIL IN THEM, you would likely kill the seal and then the water pump will really be toast.

 

not really, look how clean the impeller is.

old gasket is old gasket