Date: Wed, 12 Nov 97 23:21:00 EST Here is the list of things to be removed to get at the water pump. This
is from the shop manual. Can some of these things be skipped - maybe -
but not many of them I'd wager. 5-6 hours seems a reasonable estimate.
I'm sure it would take me all day and probably then some the first time.
Morale: You can't compare any "simple" operation on any earlier model
RX-7 with the 3rd gen. Remember, these are the cars where we remove the
throttle body to change plug wires.
Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 18:44:53 -0700 I ordered my new water pump from Mazdatrix for around $140 including
overnight shipping. I think the pump itself was about $110. The dealer
wants over $300
Replacing the pump is relatively simple (it's not much more difficult than
replacing the plug wires).
The pump is above the radiator, and if yours is seriously leaking, there is
probably no reason to drain the radiator before changing the pump. If you
don't have a leak, it may be necessary to drain a little bit of coolant out
before you remove the pump. I did mine without draining anything, and
didn't realy spill that much fluid.
It will probably be realy helpful to have a universal joint extension for
your socket. There are a couple of bolts on the water pump that are fairly
difficult to access. and the additional flexability is realy helpful.
You need to remove all of the intake piping between the turbos and the
throttle body. I also removed the airbox. I'm not sure this is realy
necessary, but it is easy and gives you a lot more space. You can leave the
intercooler in.
Remove both of the belts.
Remove the tensioning bolts from the alternator, and remove the bracket that
tensions the alternator. There are two bolts holding the bracket. The
obvious one goes through the front of the water pump, the other one is kind
of under and behind the power steering pump.
Remove the pulley from the water pump. I took a small wrench, and braced it
across two of the bolt heads, while lostening a third. you can break all
the bolts loose this way, and then remove them by hand.
There are three small bolts/studs, four nuts, and one long bolt(the one that
went through the alternator bracket, you've probably already removed this
one) holding the pump to the engine block.
Scrape the old gasket, and put on a new one.
Re-assembaly - now you just have to put it all back together. You do know
where all those little bolts go, dont you?
Remember to not put the pulley back on the pump until after it is back in
the car. It blocks access to a couple of the bolts.
And don't put the long bolt back on the water pump until after you put the
alternator bracket on it.
I don't think it took me more than 4 hours for removal and re-install, and I
certianly wouldn't call it difficult, just time consuming
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From: "Houseman, Carl W. x1323"
1. Resonance chamber (intake air plenum).
2. Battery
3. Air pipe and air hose (upper)
4. Accelerator cable
5. Air cleaner
6. Water hose
7. Air pipe and air hose (lower)
8. Water pump pulley
9. Drive belt
10. Water hose (water pump body)
11. Generator and strap
12. Air pump and strap.
13. Radiator hose (upper)
14. Charge air cooler (intercooler) and air separation tank
15. Subframe
16. Radiator hose (lower)
17. Heater hose
18. Water hose (water pump body)
19. Metering oil tube
20. Water pump and pump body
From: "Doug Gentges"