Pull me back from the brink!! Oil Pump Leak!
 

Finally got the new engine in. And darn if the oil pump isn't leaking at the junction between the pump and block. I used the cheapo gasket that came with the pump -- didn't use any sealant. Did it exactly the way the Mazda service manual said to do it! It's enough of a leak that it really needs to be fixed.

I used Mazda OEM gaskets everywhere else -- no other issues, even my BEGI reroute spacer is sealed up tight.

What would you guys do?

1. Pull the engine again?
2. Drop the subframe and do it all on your back?
3. Take the darn thing to a shop (assuming there's one you can trust)?
4. Other?

Very frustrated.

i'd pull it again, but i don't know anything.
i would indeed use some blue rtv or something that oil can't penetrate in addition to the oem gasket.

I may be jumping the gun. Looking at other threads, there are all kinds of places that pressurized oil can get out of. I think step one is to take off the timing belt covers, clean everything up, and run it with dye.

Still frustrated.

Did you put in the bolt at the AC bracket?

https://www.miataturbo.net/general-m...uestion-12759/

Yours also have the o-ring?

Yes to AC bracket bolt. Torqued to 19ft-lbs.

No to O-ring. 1.6L has a gasket instead.

Make sure it isn't bottomed on the threads just in case.

I know how you feel. I'm going thru the same thing. Craig (dvcn) and I will be dropping the front subframe. I didn't put an o-ring too. So really need to fix it. It's the oil leak from HELL !!!

1.8 has a gasket and an o ring. 1.6 has no spot for the o ring?

1.6 has an o-ring where the pump delivers pressurized oil to the block. Don't worry OP, I've forgotten it as well. I pulled the engine, I'd rather not seal the oil pan on my back.

You've got to be kidding me! I didn't forget -- I actually researched this (while the engine was on the stand and I was getting all paranoid about exactly this issue). I can't find any reference, starting with the Mazda manual (pages B-66 and B-67), showing an oil pump O-ring on the B6.

I'm going to dye test tonight and make sure that it is coming from the pump and not something like a cam seal above. It it's the pump, then first attempt will be to pull one bolt at a time, chase and clean the threads and then retorque while making sure none of the bolts are bottoming. If that doesn't do the trick, then it's time the pull the engine. I guess even if the references don't show an O-ring, if there's a spot for one what can it hurt, right?

Sound reasonable?

No, it doesn't sound reasonable.

If you didn't put in an O-ring, man up and just pull the damn engine.

O-ring groove clearly visible here, right by the pressure relief valve:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1359995528

It's hidden by the paper gasket, which is kind of weird. But I've had no issues sealing the pump to the o-ring, o-ring to the gasket, and the gasket to the block.

My oil pump on my bp motor doesn't have the groove for the o ring. The older BPs dont have that groove. I think mazda updated the design to decrease oil leaks. I can post pictures later. I have two of them that are this way. I would use some black sealant for the gasket insteaed of the paper gasket.

Can't I play with dye and a black light first? Please? I need to have a little fun before resuming the yoga.

You may be onto something here. Obviously, a paper gasket needs a flat surface to work. If an O-ring groove is cut, an O-ring had better be installed. That may be why the old FSM doesn't show an O-ring.

I honestly did not notice whether I had an O-ring groove on the new oil pump. No O-ring came with the pump.

i think when you buy it from mazda, it doesn't come with the o ring. I THINK, but i'm not 100%.
the oil pumps from mazda were also used in other cars, so there's a hole that needs to be plugged as well.

hole

Attachment 239729

Attachment 239730

plugged

Attachment 239731

Yes, the FWD dipstick hole is plugged. When that hole is left open, you get oil EVERYWHERE.

lol ok

Sure, open the dye, dump it all over the front of your engine, shine the black light on it, and then pull the damn engine.

OK, OK. I'm gradually manning up. You know you're right and I know you're right. Sigh.

I enjoyed my vagina for a day. I think I had PMS.