I have a 1997 Mazda Protege and I have a coolant leak from the water pump area but it's hard to tell if it's the actual water pump because I can't see it, has anyone replaced a water pump on a 1997 Protege? is it very difficult? it's looks tight and I believe the timing cover and belt need to be removed.
Thanks for your help
Rob

 

Timing belt normally has to come off..

Not a hard job, just lots of time..

 

Thanks, it's next weekends project.

 

Do you have the workshop manual?

 

The water pump on the 1.8L SOHC engine, has a bearing drain port at the bottom of the pump, near the gasket flange. This is the source of most water pump leaks. To replace the pump...

Remove the PS Pump Belt. Tensioner is on front (radiator side) of pump. Clamp bolt is at front of pump near pulley. Pivot bolt is at front of pump, behind pulley. Slot in pulley for socket. Leave the PS Pump in place.

Remove AC Compressor, by pulling four 12mm mounting bolts. Let pump hang on hoses.

Remove AC Compressor mount bracket, by pulling four 12mm bolts.
This gives access to lower radiator hose manifold.

Remove two 12mm bolts from Lower Radiator hose manifold, at water pump.

Remove Crankshaft Balancer center 19mm bolt. Balancer should come off without tools.

Remove three upper Timing Cover 10mm bolts, and remove the upper cover.

Remove four lower Timing Cover 10mm bolts, including the bolt directly below water pump. Remove the lower cover.

Using 15mm socket, rotate camshaft to align timing marks. One timing mark straight up (align with mark on valve cover). The other timing mark is horizontal - toward front of head. No need to remove the sprocket or the valve cover.

The crankshaft key should be straight up and aligned with timing pointer.

Loosen the Timing Belt Tensioner 12mm bolt, and using a long screwdriver, push tensioner away from the belt, then tighten the tensioner bolt to hold tensioner away.

Slip the Timing Belt off.

Remove the four water pump 12mm mounting bolts.

It is a tricky maneuver, but the water pump can be rotated slightly, and lifted out between he Cam Sprocket and the Dip Stick Tube. If you can't do it, pull the 15mm engine mount thru bolt, and raise the engine with a floor jack to gain more clearance.

 

Nice write up! Going to do waterpump, timing belt, hoses and possibly valve cover gasket soon.