mk1 1.6 eunos, major coolant leak. Help!

[Baked_bean]

Hi guys,
Last week when it was -15 my cars coolant froze up (well it turned slushy) so it got abit warm after a short journey. I did a coolant change and flush to get a fresh stronger mix into the car.

I drove it for 25 miles of mixed driving and it seemed fine a few days ago. However I have been out this eve and after pulling up there is coolant everywhere, with a huge pool under the car.

It looks like it has come from the radiator as its all down the under tray but I can't see any leaks from my inspection, is there anyway to tell before i fork out for a new radiator? I am worried i have a cracked block but would it cause an external leak? i would assume it would get into the oil and mess up my oil pressure if i had a cracked block?

Any help or things to check would be great.

[Eighteeteewhy]

Fill it with water, start it up, wait for it to get hot and you should have no problem finding the leak. Steam will be a giveaway.
HTH

[Baked_bean]

It seems to be coming from the front of the block? can't see properly as its dark but it means it isn't the easy fix of a new rad! Could it be a waterpump issue?

Thanks

[Eighteeteewhy]

Right, worst case scenario is the block has cracked, but let's hope this hasn't happened. I froze a Pug mi16 engine many moons ago and on that the water pump had a failsafe for if it did freeze, one new waterpump later and all was fine.
Another option is it may have popped a core plug, I'm not sure where they are on this engine but I'm sure someone will be along with more info in 3...2...

[I Am Milk]

I'd put money on the water pump. Under tray is easy to get off, so you could check it that way, as well as checking for worst case scenario such as a cracked block.

[Baked_bean]

Cheers guys,

I got the car up on axle stands before work and removed the undertray (quite a few bolts really!) it is running like a stream down the block from behind the pulleys. It only starts when the car is upto temperature though.

The car is running fine.

All of the hoses to and from the block/thermostat etc are dry.

I took a couple of pictures and will post them later.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Have you checked all around the thermostat housing and the small pipes that run off it? It could be a leak around there that only happens once the thermostat is open. There are a few small pipes around there at the front of the engine.

Of course it might just be the water-pump seal that is only leaking once it gets hot...

[Baked_bean]

I have checked the hoses and they all seem fine. when underneath it almost looks like it coming straight from where the pulley attached.

Should be clear once ive added the photo

[Baked_bean]

Here are some pictures, i have a few more if these are of no use.

[Eighteeteewhy]

Hmmm, probably best to replace the wp. If it stops leaking happy days, if not then you'll know you've got bigger problems.

[Baked_bean]

Yeah, lets hope it is the waterpump! Thank you for the help guys.

Any other words of wisdom etc would be appreciated though.

[Oldandslow]

If it's not been done recently you might as well change the cambelt while you're there.

[snotrag]

Yup that's exactly where mine dribbled from when the waterpump leaked.

As above - full cambelt kit and waterpump, less then 100 in parts and doable in an afternoon.

[Sbloxxy]

Yes thats 99% certainl to be the water pump. Rusty coloured water doesn't look too healthy either. As previous posters have advised, you may as well do the job properly and change belts while you are at it. Might even be worth checking the front crank oil seal too as its only a few quid for a new one and you are practically there anyway.

[trace1967]

Just found mine today, rusty water but coming onto undertray but cant see where from, anyway I wont get under the car Im a girl, i have a fear of getting under a low car.

Here is the vid from today after running her up and down the roads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5KuRJX3eGM

[Eighteeteewhy]

trace1967 said:

Just found mine today, rusty water but coming onto undertray but cant see where from, anyway I wont get under the car Im a girl, i have a fear of getting under a low car.

Here is the vid from today after running her up and down the roads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5KuRJX3eGM

Not sure if it's the sound quality but it sounds like you have a noisy bearing which could very well be the water pump. Also I wouldn't travel far with that leak.

[trace1967]

Its not a problem Im only travelling 7 miles to work, the car has been at a standstill for over a week because the battery was weak, been charging it up.
Ive coolant and fluid in the car with me all the time.
Got to keep the car running to look after the battery.
Back at work on tuesday. Been on bus over a week.
Im ok as long as I watch the level every day. Checking it when I come home from work and topping up.
Mazdamender will fix it soon.

[Baked_bean]

Thank you for the advice guys. Going to attempt to do it this week. The water isnt actually rusty in the flesh, the coolant is fresh! must just be the photo.

[Baked_bean]

Job done guys, thanks for the help.

By far the most involved job i have done on a car but with an extra pair of hands it was not too bad and it all works!

[trace1967]

Mine is fixed now. My brother took the little underflap on bottom of car and the bottom kevlar hose had a crack in it. His retired mechanic had a struggle getting it off the bit where it joins the metal pipe. He said metal pipe was little rusty but no holes. Had to put on a screw clip instead.
Filled radiator up and topped with coolant, a lesser mixture due to warmer weather as coolant is strong. bubbled all the air locks out too. and its ok now. will check the overflow tank once ran to work over a few days. And top up if needed.
The kevlar hoses are thicker than the normal hoses.