We're an autonomous collective! You filthy British swine, you dog handlers, you (sorry, an excerpt from MP and the Holy Grail).

 

Another good read is 'The Da Vinci Deception'. I'm reading it presently but I've left it at work and can't recall the author's name. It adds some perspective.
Hope the coolant thing is sorted out.

 

my water pump failed. I took it to the dealer and they replaced it no problem

 

thats 3rd one I know of...

 

The Rx-7's had weep holes in the water pump, does the 8's water pump have the same weep hole?

 

weep hole?

there is what looks like a hole on the bottom, from which massive amounts of coolant was pouring from on my car

 

Reviving this thread for a not-so-great news. My 8 has just been diagnosed with a leaking water pump. I checked in for just regular service and the tech spotted it. Now I'm driving a POS Cavalier :D The rental service ran out of Mazdas. I hope I get my 8 back today. If not, tomorrow then.

I haven't noticed any coolant leak on the floor. But then again, it has been raining crazy around here and the apartment garage does get soaked.

 

yeah guys..keep an eye out. it's something that can creep up on you and become a big problem real fast

 

My 8 was diagnosed with coolant leak around the water pump this morning (@ ~23 K miles) when it was in for tire rotation/routine service. My dealership hasn't always been on top of Rx-8 issues (TSB's, PCM flashes, etc.) without my harrassment, so I'm a bit surprised they found this on their own when the car was up on the lift. The tech said it was a leak near the weep hole that indicated a seal on the water pump had gone bad.

I hadn't noticed any coolant leak on the ground where I park (but then again, my neighbor's housekeeper often parks in my spot when I'm at work... leaving a huge green puddle behind).

The dealer had to order a replacement part (from the above discussion, hopefully entire pump rather than just a seal or gasket) and expects it to arrive/be installed tomorrow.

In the mean time, I've got a dealer loaner Pontiac Grand Am... the color I believe is called metallic turd. It's got all of the latest GM engineering-- rubbermaid dash, intermittant power steering (gives the feedback of an electric dial while on the highway, but get it in a parking lot and it takes more effort to steer than my non-power steering vintage VWs). After being sternly instructed not to smoke (or allow others to smoke in the car), I was greeted by a blast of smoke aroma when I opened the door. Oh yeah-- and it came with a Notorius B.I.G. CD in the stereo.

 

It's at the dealer now and should be ready tomorrow.

I smelled anti-freeze for a while now but never saw anything. Finally saw a small puddle (size of a quarter) on the floor. While installing the RB Revi intake last night I could see the green goo on a water pump bolt.

-Dave

 

My pump is showing signs at 30K miles

 

Hmmm, my coolant light came on the other day but did not notice anything on the floor or obvious signs of drippings. Only 13k miles.

 

get under and check guys...

 

OK BOYS......time to help out ur blonde friend!!

I've had my 8 (red, red racing interior) for a little over a year now ('04) and although I love this car I'm a little pissed at the dealer. I too have had problems with the engine coolant light coming on and off. The car is serviced (oil/checks) on a regular basis and I've reported this problem since Oct 04. Every time the say it's nothing and the light goes out. Until yesterday.
I sat in bad traffic for a little over an hour and the light was on and off. I turned on the heat to pull cool air in and no change. There were no changes in the temp or the oil until I got downtown in front of my building when I came to a complete stop. All of a sudden the gauges went through the roof and smoke poured fron the hood and there was green fluid pouring out from the front dirvers side. Needless to say I'm pissed at the dealer. I've told them about this problem numerous times over. (there was never a problem with fluids in my parking space)

So, it was towed away last night for repairs. This should all be covered under warranty right? Does anyone know what happened exactly (outside of the overheating)? Thanks boys!!

I'm not married, no kids, it's my car and my cats.....mess with either and you're a dead man!!!!! Anyone care to add some input

 

Could be a water pump failure although that is at the very front-center of the engine. Maybe the coolant was diverted to the driver side a bit by the underpanel. There have been quite a few reports on the forum of water pump failures, so it wouldn't be unusual. What seems unusual in your case is that you should have seen some evidence of leaking long ago. Of course, it could be a hose or something else that only leaked when you were running the engine hard out on the road.

In any case, the problem should be covered under warranty unless you have put a LOT of miles on it since Oct '04. Let us know what they find. I would definitely remind them that you had reported a coolant problem before and that you're not happy with their handling of the problem. In fact, you might want to give MNAO a call to make them aware of the poor service at that particular dealer.

Edit: Spelling fix.

 

Had my water pump replaced today with 36,000 Km. The dealer notified me of it on Friday when I brought it for regular service. I got conflicting explanations, one was that this is not a common problem, the other guy was telling me that he's seen a few.

Lesson learned though, I'm going to start checking periodically.

 

My water pump went out today. I noticed a small green puddle in the garage and went to straight to the dealer. Luckily, they ordered me one overnight. They claim this is the first one they have witnessed, which I believe as they have been honest with me in the past.

 

mamccubbin --
How many miles on your RX-8 ?

 

Sorry, I meant to include that. I have 22,500 on the car. It was an early build as well.

 

Hmmm...I had to put coolant in my car a few weeks ago. Not even 6 ounces, but just the same, and I'm at 18K. This thread is getting me a bit paranoid, I'm going to have to start watching for this in case it is a very, very slow drip.