My question is, is this definitely my water pump, or should I remove everything and find the leak before ordering a water pump.

about 4 months ago I randomly got an "add coolant" buzzer. So I filled the coolant and blamed it on my coolant flush I did 4 months before (I hadn't driven it much in those 4 months). So then I began checking the coolant each time after I drove it. Each time I had to add at least a cup of coolant. So then I started checking below my car to see if I was leaking coolant.

Sure enough, right in the middle of the engine bay there was a puddle below the car. I located the leak to just around where the water pump is. (I have yet to remove my intercooler or anything else to be able to see it closer or more clearly)

My first thought was that the hose to the bottom left of my water pump was leaking right at the clamp so I added another clamp to it. It still "leaked".

So then I also realized something else. The car does not leak any coolant unless I start the car first, then it begins leaking within 30sec. So maybe the water pump is releasing coolant and it is hitting this hose before it falls to the floor

I also have a noise coming from my engine that sounds like a pulsating squeak.

Should I buy the water pump, or is there an easy way to check if it is the water pump?

 

Sounds like the water pump to me. My water pump blew the seal inside so it was leaking out of the hole on the bottom of it but only after the car had been running and then shut-off did I see the coolant dripping from the bottom of the water pump. And it was just a steady drip that made me have to add about a cup off coolant. I replaced the water pump and thermostat and I was good to go.

 

i think its your water pump as well its not hard to replace at all i just did all the work my self! replaced most of the hoses and waterpump

 

Ok, I'm going to replace it this coming weekend. Does the brand matter? I found one made by NPW for 80 bucks on autopartswarehouse.com

And should I replace the coolant hoses around there? (my car has 50,000 original miles)

I've read some things about the water pump housing gasket, is this necessary for me to replace while I replace the water pump?

Thanks!

 

Ok, I'm going to replace it this coming weekend. Does the brand matter? I found one made by NPW for 80 bucks on autopartswarehouse.com

And should I replace the coolant hoses around there? (my car has 50,000 original miles)

Only if you damage it. If it's the first time it's ever been removed I'll be surprised if you don't.

 

I installed the water pump, install went smoothly. The gasket for the waterpump housing came in 7 hours after I did the install so I didn't use it. No leaks, tested the pressure, held 13.5 psi for 30 minutes. Hasn't leaked an ounce for 3 days so far.

The only bad thing about the install...

I replaced the belts and the only size they had for the waterpump/alternator belt was 53in (4050530 "gatorbelt" to be exact). Which was the one that came up for the Rx7 in the computers at the auto shop i went to. It is on as loose as I can make it and it is still really tight; so much so in fact that I had to remove a pulley just to force it on. So, I wouldn't be surprised if I have to replace the pump again in a year or two.

What size belt are most people using?

(I tried a 54.5, but it was WAY too loose, so I would assume like a 53.75 would be perfect if they had one...)

 

I think the belt is just a hair over 53in. Go to Rotary Performance www.rx7.com ...They sell both belts in OE size for $40. Here's the link to the belts, just scroll down til you see them:
http://www.rx7.com/store/rx7/fdengine_maintenance.html