Mk1 1.6 MX5 Water Leaking from Block

[cavebloke]

Hi Guys,

The MX5 is losing its coolant at a rapid rate once it heats up. Looking at the front of engine it seems the water is coming out of the crank and running down off the sump!!! This can't be right can it as the oil looks normal and no mayonnaise in the head? Surely it must be leaking out from something above and then running over the crank.

It this a common/known problem and can anyone advise what the solution is?

The engine is also quite tappety (but has been for ages) so I'm considering swapping out the engine for one from a scrappy.

Any advice would be great. I live in York and don't know any good nearby independents so I'm looking at doing the work myself.

Cheers,

Simon

[Steffan]

Whatever it is given your concern with the rattles I would change the lot personally. I do suggest hearing the engine you buy running first. Do not forget that you may need ancillaries, like the loom and coil pack etc off the old engine they do vary.

Once engines get to this point it is definitely quicker and cheaper to swop IMO.

[Oldandslow]

Most likely the water pump or one of the pipes of it has corroded through but I'd still say water pump. If it hasn't had a timing belt change recently then probably worth getting both done at the same time if funds allow. More expensive in the long run to do them separately.

Just wanted to add that my 1.6 has always been tappety even when warm and so are all the others I've ever heard. Unless it suddenly got louder it might just be the way it is. An oil flush followed by a good quality oil may quieten it a bit.

Edited by Oldandslow on Saturday 21st July 16:44

[Mattlan]

Hi, I have valve stem oil seal and or piston ring issues and have on the advice of the mechanic purchased a second hand long nose 1.6 engine that I am picking up next week. I have stripped a considerable amount of the engine down in the meantime and will be putting the new engine in shortly (with much advice from the mechanic no doubt) so if you wanted to come and watch for tips you are more than welcome , based in Tadcaster so not far!

[J.P.W.]

I'd say you need a new water pump. And don't worry about the tappety sound. Some nice oil might fix it, if not just live with it. Replacing the engine really would be a bit extreme in the circumstances.

[cavebloke]

Thanks for the advice guys. Having looked at a few water pumps that have been removed, the housing comes down a lot lower on the block than I thought so the water leak may just be a blown gasket. Heater still works so I think the pump is working.

What oil do people use to stop the tappets from clacking?

I have Mobil Super 2000 XP 10w40 in it currently.

[Munter]

Ran mine on Mobil1 0w 40 for all the time I had it. It'd only make the noise for a few seconds if the service was due, or it'd been sat unused for over a week.

[Petrolhead]

Water pump bearing seal. There is a hole behind the pulley whch allows the water to escape. May as well replace the cam belt at the same time as the two jobs go hand in hand

[Richyvrlimited]

cavebloke said:

Thanks for the advice guys. Having looked at a few water pumps that have been removed, the housing comes down a lot lower on the block than I thought so the water leak may just be a blown gasket. Heater still works so I think the pump is working.

What oil do people use to stop the tappets from clacking?

I have Mobil Super 2000 XP 10w40 in it currently.

Highly unlikely it's the gasket. The waterpump will have failed, or at least the seal will have between the impeller and the external pulley, BTDT.

Besides to change the gasket, you have to remove the pump so not changing whilst you're there is a bit daft.

Do the timing belt whilst your at it, as that also has to come off...