You can expect your Mazda’s water pump to last between 60,000 miles and 90,000 miles. If you put an aftermarket pump in the Mazda, it may start leaking or dying as soon as 30,000 miles. If you take excellent care of your Mazda, the water pump may last longer than 90,000 miles. There are some signs that your water pump is dying or dead that you will notice, and when you notice the signs, it’s important to bring your Mazda into Mazcare as soon as possible. Here’s what those signs are.
Poor Coolant Circulation
The water pump is responsible for circulating the coolant and water mixture throughout the engine to ensure the temperature never rises above 220 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water pump is malfunctioning, the coolant circulation will become compromised. Think of it as your heart and blood. Your blood circulates through your system much better when your heart is strong. The same is true with a water pump and engine coolant. A week water pump will reduce the coolant’s circulation.
Leaking Engine Coolant
As we mentioned above, the water pump will eventually start leaking as it ages. This is a common problem. If the leak is severe, you will see engine coolant on your garage floor. The color of engine coolant varies widely. Common colors include green, blue-green, yellow-green, and red. You can check the color of your engine coolant by looking at it in the overflow reservoir. If the water pump has a bad enough leak to leave spots or puddles on your garage floor, it’s crucial you get it replaced right away.
Corrosion Around the Pump
In some cases, however, the water pump leak is not bad enough to drip coolant onto your garage floor. This is why it’s important to inspect your water pump as it gets older. Many pumps spring minor leaks that simply leave corrosion around the water pump. This corrosion looks like gel. This is your engine coolant leaking slowly out of the water pump and pooling around it. Even though you don’t have spots on the garage floor, this leak can still cause your engine coolant levels to be too low.
Constant Overheating
Finally, the three problems above will make your Mazda’s engine overheat. In fact, if your water pump is dead, your Mazda’s engine will overheat within 15 minutes of starting it and it will overheat constantly. It’s important that you don’t drive your Mazda when the engine is too hot. Doing so will cause unnecessary and costly damage to the engine.
Mazcare in Marietta, GA, can help. We are Mazda experts, and we’d be happy to inspect your water pump if you suspect it has gone bad.