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Oil pump vent??

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Old 06-10-2010, 03:02 AM
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Default Oil pump vent??

My car has been leaking oil BADLY from the oil pump ever since I rebuilt the engine. I was thinking it may have been a bad oil outlet o-ring and was going to pull the engine again, but on closer inspection I noticed something peculiar when I was pulling my power steering pump... there was a hole on the oil pump housing.

"Hmmmmm" I thought. I then shined my flashlight down the hole. I could see all the way through to the pan. I then unwound a coathanger and shoved it in. Sure enough, it went all the way in and came out dripping with lube. Since I threw out my old oil pump, I could not verify if this hole in the new pump is supposed to be plugged or not. Could somebody check for me pleeeeease??

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The car only leaks oil under load at WOT, and it leaks A LOT. It has sprayed everywhere in my engine bay, and I cannot touch anything in there without getting oil on me.
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Old 06-10-2010, 03:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Cococarbine3
I cannot touch anything in there without getting oil on me.
We couldn't tell.

It should be sealed. Originally it was the dipstick tube hole for the 323 I believe. I think I have silicone in mine, or a JB welded plug, not sure, its from the factory.

Edit: if you're good with cleaning out your engine, looks like you might be able to drill a bit oversized and tap it for an NPT plug. 1/8 or 1/4.
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Old 06-10-2010, 08:52 AM
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Mazda makes a plug that goes in that hole. If you bought your pump from mazdamotorsports website, they will have included that plug with the oil pump. I'll see if i can get a P/N for it...

mazda part number:
9930-71-000

it looks like it runs $1.38

taps in with a punch and light taps from a hammer.
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Old 06-10-2010, 11:22 AM
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Best guess, it's the dipstick hole for a front drive oil dipstick. I think if you read on the fwd/rear drive conversion, there's something about having to plug that.....

The above part should fix it though.....

Dave,
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Old 06-10-2010, 11:31 AM
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I've just used a slightly oversized bolt that I could thread in with a wrench before. Using JB as a sealant.
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Old 06-10-2010, 03:47 PM
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Awesome thanks guys. I got my pump from NAPA and had to make a pickup tube gasket and find a circular oil outlet o-ring. I didn't realize there was more.

I'm not sure if this is the problem though because whenever I accelerate, my oil pressure goes down. I guess we'll see if plugging this works.
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Old 06-11-2010, 02:10 AM
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Originally Posted by fooger03
Mazda makes a plug that goes in that hole. If you bought your pump from mazdamotorsports website, they will have included that plug with the oil pump. I'll see if i can get a P/N for it...

mazda part number:
9930-71-000

it looks like it runs $1.38

taps in with a punch and light taps from a hammer.
FWIW, the pump I bought from mazdacomp did not include the plug, I had to order it later, separately.

--Ian
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Old 06-11-2010, 02:12 AM
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Originally Posted by codrus
FWIW, the pump I bought from mazdacomp did not include the plug, I had to order it later, separately.

--Ian
+1, my replacement pump did not come with that plug. I used JBweld and a square of aluminum to seal it off. Next time I have it apart (hopefully never) I'll order that plug.
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Old 06-11-2010, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Cococarbine3
I'm not sure if this is the problem though because whenever I accelerate, my oil pressure goes down.
Either a: you've run so low on oil that it runs low around the pickup tube and you get air in there

or b: the pickup tube gasket you 'made' failed, and air is getting into your oil pump that way.
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Old 03-13-2011, 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Savington
+1, my replacement pump did not come with that plug. I used JBweld and a square of aluminum to seal it off. Next time I have it apart (hopefully never) I'll order that plug.
Bump, that plate came off of the pump and oiled down the engine bay at Buttonwillow yesterday. Do as I say, not as I do - get the OEM plug.
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Old 03-14-2011, 07:24 AM
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Looks like you've got yourself an easy fix.... GO to mazda dealer, order plug...tap in till it's flush.

Spray everything down with brake cleaner, go for a drive...
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