back from the garage

**N0DDY** · 7-7-06, 11:16

Hey all,

Just got my MX-6 back from my local garage after having had a new rear o2 sensor fitted, the sensor cost me £116.02 from mazda. I had considered going universal but i haven't had much luck with patent parts recently, on the plus side though the garage didnt charge me anything to fit it!

The bad news is that they discovered that i have a leaky water pump. Apparently it's not very bad at the moment but the system was half empty! Apparently they can get a new pump for £66 inc VAT, labour is £200+VAT, and probably £35 for a new cam belt while i'm at it. Inluding antifreeze and all else i'm looking at around £315 which isn't good when you consider that i also have an MOT coming up.

What do we all think??

**oredroc4** · 7-7-06, 11:52

you should pass mot with the water low and water pump seal out, get it early and it should pass fine. just as long as its not running hott!! My pump has been like this for awhile now, just since ive owned her. i just drive on the weekends now until i get back from leave where ill get it fixed then.

MY vote:get it done now while your confident itll pass!!

-justin

**N0DDY** · 7-7-06, 11:57

What I meant was that the MOT will no doubt bring to light more issues and cost another small fortune. I might take her in and get the new water pump/cam belt done at the same time as the MOT.

**Ian F Chequer** · 7-7-06, 13:25

Bearing in mind (pun not intended) the amount of labour required to get at the water pump that does sound suspiciously cheap.

ifc

**N0DDY** · 7-8-06, 6:57

I trust this garage, they've done a lot of work for me in the past and always give an honest opinion. It's like the guy says, he'd rather charge less and be busy than charge loads and have no customers. Besides it was there database that quoted them the cost for labour. Thanks for the opinion IFC, I always like to hear what other people think of these situations. It's still £315 that I didn't really want to spend in the first place, and more importantly it's £315 that I dont have.

**Ian F Chequer** · 7-8-06, 7:29

It might be worth getting a second opinion on the water leakage. It's not possible to tell whether the pump is leaking unless the covers are removed and you can physically see the pump itself.

The water pump started to go on mine the October before last. (The picture of me in the "Who we are" thread was taken by Dad a few weeks later when I pulled the car down to replace the pump and the belt). In theory the water should drip out of the bottom of the timing belt covers. In practise it probably hits the belt and gets splattered everywhere and evaporates off. I would suggest that it's not possible to assess the condition of the water pump unless you actually pull everything down.

Anti-freeze attacks the belt material so it's wise to replace the timing belt if the pump has been leaking.

It might be worth looking for other leaks around the engine. I had a persistent leak on mine post belt change which was the top radiator hose not forming a good enough seal with the quick release clip. I wound up replacing the pipe itself.

Unless the leak is at the bottom of the system there will be a limit to the amount of water which leaks out (as the system will lose pressure). However what is actually being pumped is likely to be a mixture of water and bubbles which will not store heat effectively, so compromising heat transfer. The pipes at the bottom of the system are the bottom radiator hose and the oil cooler lines but it's unusual for them to spring leaks.

ifc

**richardb** · 7-8-06, 15:41

Cost me £100 + parts and my "car man that does - is the best" he's never been beaten by anything!!!!

Re: the MOT yeah put her through and if anything else comes blits the lot...

Rich

**N0DDY** · 7-27-06, 3:05

Hey all,

I've just dropped her off at the garage, I'm hoping to get my water pump, cam belt and an mot done, he reckons cause the water pump is a pig of a job he might have to keep it tomorrow as well. These things ALWAYS have the worst possible outcome for me every time I drop a car of at the damn garage, so fingers crossed everybody!

**Einstein** · 7-27-06, 6:56

I'm losing water too... but so far no idea where.. no drips, nothing in the oil, nothing out the back..

It's booked in on Tuesday, while he's doing my wishbones...

John

**wolf_funk** · 7-27-06, 7:00

£116 for a 02 sensor?
sheesh way too much if u ask me lol

**doorslammer** · 7-27-06, 8:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf_funk

£116 for a 02 sensor?
sheesh way too much if u ask me lol

Don't forget, that is a genuine Mazda part so comes gold plated and diamond encrusted

**N0DDY** · 7-28-06, 11:30

^^I wish^^ - wait, no i don't Im never gonna look at the bloody thing!

Anyway, just got her back from the garage, new cam belt and water pump and MOT test, all for £380. The good news is that she passed with one advisary on the brake hoses being slightly perished (not too worried at the moment, I'll probably get it done with my next service).