I drove my car for the first time in six weeks Sunday. I'd been off working overseas and my car hadn't been driven nor started during that period. It started easy first time round and rode as fine as I left it. Noticed nothing unusual.

Monday, I sent my car to a garage for an oil change, coolant change, brake pad and brake fluid replacement. Mine's a JDM PI, so I don't send it to the dealer. Just as they completed the job, they found water leaking underneath the car. They looked around in the engine bay and saw a steady drip of water, could not see exactly from where it was coming from, but it was adjacent and opposite of where the drivebelts are. This dripping appears to only happen with the engine running. Based on that, they diagnosed a leaky water pump. They couldn't investigate further as it was already dark and closing time. No CELs on the short drive home.

Before I left, everything was fine. I check my oil every two/three weeks or so, at most a month, and made it a habit to check the coolant level as well, and I've probably only ever had to top off the coolant once or twice this year.

Going to check it out again this evening, and will take it to the Mazda dealer this weekend. My car is 2 years old, and has 50000km on it. Looking through the forum, it seems that water pump leaks are not entirely uncommon as I thought. Anybody experienced anything similar? Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

 

when my motor was replaced at 55k miles, the h2o pump had a slight weep to it..

beers

 

I think mine is leaking a bit too. It's typically down 8 oz./3000 mi service, but no puddles. Dealer has done pressure test, but could not "detect a leak". Some dried coloant visible at pump weep hole. Dealer prefers to wait until the pump decisively fails before taking action (surprise!).

Bob

 

i ever read some members here encountered leaking water pump n end up replacing the pump...i thought we can just replace the water pump gasket

 

Water pump will leak b4 a complete failure of the bearing seal, early sign of failure, rarely a gasket leak.

 

yep and when it is time to replace go ahead and get the upgraded version(aftermarket)
Olddragger

 

this is out,

i knew you had mentioned it.. link?

beers

 

Thanks guys. Took it out for a spin Tuesday, but before that had a look at the coolant reservoir and it was way past the 'F' mark. The mechanics did this on purpose so I could get home safely.

Anyway, after a short run, I checked the coolant level again and it doesn't appear to have changed. I don't understand why, if it's a water pump leak and it's a closed system, that it just doesn't leak continually, but only when the engine runs. Could it just be a leaky hose?

There are aftermarket waterpumps?

 

Very slow leak when water pump begins to fail

 

So I left my car at home for a week, and took it out again for a short spin. Couldn't detect any leaks under the car or in the engine bay, not even a single drop. Even left it sitting idle for a good five minutes, no leak.

Next day, looked under the car, no sign of a leak or oily residue whatsoever. Took it out for a short spin again and same results. Looked in the engine bay for signs of leaking or drops of water but I can't find any.

Been driving it for two days now, just in town, and apart from the normal A/C water spots, the leak appears to have miraculously disappeared as fast as it came.

Now, I took it to two different mechanics, and both diagnosed a leaky water pump, but that was last weekend. What's going on? Did the mechanic just overfill the radiator or spilled some in the engine bay when he was doing the maintenance? Is it possible the water pump has completely failed and is not cycling water through the radiator, hence no pressure and no leaking? Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

has the coolant level on the coolant tank been getting low since the fill up?
if the water pump completely failed water temp would rise signicantly

 

Not possible that it failed 5 minutes and you would be overheated and stranded somewhere.

 

If the water pump goes it's covered under the 5 year 60k warranty.

 

Is it normal for a small amount of water to drip from underneath the engine when the A/C is running?

I haven't ran my A/C in a long time, but ran it a bit today. And, when I was parking I noticed some dripping. I touched the drops and they felt just like cold water. I also used a white tissue paper to dap the drops to see what color they are, and they appear to be clear (ie no color & just looks like water).

I've never noticed my other car dripping when I run the A/C. Is this leaking normal for the RX-8?

 

it is normal for all cars running ac.

beers

 

thanks swoope

 

sure,

and i still look at the tickets you sent me... i am sooooooo slack..


beers

 

lol... dude, u got to go see something good. maybe spiderman or something?
im taking friday off to go see it. (yah, i know- nuts.) <lol>

 

where can I find an aftermarket water pump for our cars ?

I know how water pump works and I dont want to wait until it *starts leaking*. cuz if it suddenly fails I will be fuxked.



I wont change it now cuz I only have 28K miles. but I might as well just buy it, and leave it in my garage just *in case*