Hey guys!

When are we supposed to change our water pumps? I’ve searched the forum and saw that many owners have had to change it with relatively few miles. I’m now approaching 95k miles on mine and beginning to wonder. Is there an interval? Or are there signs that I’d have to look out for? Or would it be wise to do it preemptively now to prevent break down (a la timing belt in older cars)? Please advise.

Much appreciated!

 

I replaced ours at 120k miles. I couldnt figure out what the growling was from and replaced the idler pulley which didnt help the noise so I figured its about time for the water pump. It is easy to do compared to any other I have done in the past. Once off I spun the pump by hand and could hear the noise. Now it sounds like a new car. Most water pumps start leaking water then need to be replaced. With 95k miles on it, I would replace it now before it goes out and its pretty easy to do. I believe these cars have a timing chain so no need to replace it.

 

There's no set time, some seemed to have issues earlier on, but unless it's leaking or making noise, there's no reason to change it really.

Jeff

 

I'm sure this was a one off, but my 06 Mazda 6, 3.0 V6, the water pump bearing grenaded out of the blue at 80,000 mi. It locked up solid in a split second. No noise, no leaking, always fresh fluid. Another, a Yoda, a 95 Camry clocked 260,000 mi and was still fine but my son got a deal on new Yoda parts and swapped it due to miles.

Your best bet is to monitor it for both leaks and noise. Stick a stethoscope, long screw driver, or long wooden stick on housing and listen with the stick to your ear. Isolate it from the idlers and alternator. If really in doubt, pull the belt and spin it by hand. It should be smooth and offer a bit of resistance.

 

 

The leak would be right in the middle of the front of the engine behind the pulleys but you wont be able to see it. What will happen is you will be driving and it will start to overheat due to not having enough water in it then when you pull over you will be able to see water and coolant coming from the front of the engine. Its possible you could see it leaking in the driveway too while car is just sitting there.

 

Given that I’m planning to drive this thing till the wheels fall off, I think overheating is not an option. Hopefully it’ll just make the noise since I’m now familiar with it through watching/listening to YouTube clips. Do the noise and leak usually occur together, or could it be that the leak happens alone by itself without the noise (silent enemy)?

 

I have 148,000 miles so far on my second water pump. Changed out the original at 80,000 miles