Water pumps - 6 blades vs 8 blades

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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dave_aber
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Water pumps - 6 blades vs 8 blades

Post by dave_aber » Fri Jun 28, 2013 10:15 am

Hi, Having finally traced a very minor coolant loss to the waterpump using UV dye, I swapped my orinal pump for one I bought ages ago when I replaced the rad, but never got round to fitting.

Now I have it fitted, the van is running 6°C or so hotter (cyl. head temp) and is really sensitive to "a damn good thrashing".

Previously, it would sit at 88° or 89° all day, and rise a wee bit to around 94° on long fast hills etc.
Now, it sits between 92°-95°, and quickly rises to 99° if pushed. I dare not drive with as much enthusiasm as before, or I'll be seeing 3 figures on the head temp.

I've bled it twice, and I'm not getting any air out, so I'm happy it's bled OK

So, (I should have checked before fitting) I have just pulled the new pump out, and it's an 8-blade impeller, with small straight / flat blades.

The original had 6 larger, curved blades.

Is this a common issue, where the 'modern' (dare I say cheaper?) pumps have less water-moving ability?

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New (left) and old (right)

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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Water pumps - 6 blades vs 8 blades

Post by Northern Bongolow » Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:46 pm

i changed mine and saw a 2 deg rise in coolant temp (not metal temps). old one 6 blade, new I THINK IS 8 blade.

ive got muzzes old pump here, we recently swapped for a gen mazda one----- old one 6 blade, that had a few miles on it 8) . not sure how many on a gen mazda one. (lushprojects doesnt show the impeller. [-X :wink:
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Re: Water pumps - 6 blades vs 8 blades

Post by dave_aber » Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:03 pm

I'm tempted to see if my local ford dealer has one for a ranger, to see what the impeller looks like.
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Water pumps - 6 blades vs 8 blades

Post by Northern Bongolow » Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:14 pm

i dont know if that would prove anything dave, smaller system etc.

in fact that may be the problem.
6 big blades for bongo, 8 small for ranger. :!: :!: .

as the seller always says, it'll be right. :shock: . but on a border line system. [-X [-X .

i pressure tested my first v6 at the bash, measured while running.
the normal running pressure was 0.9. put a 8 blade on that then see if it fizzzzes. i dare not run it up to fans on low or high.
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