2009 Mazda 6 Engine ran hot and quit

FULTONDALE2013

MEMBER
2009 MAZDA 6
0.6L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
109,000 MILES

We have an 09 Mazda 6 with 109,000 miles and last nite it ran hot and my wife pulled over and it cut off. After about an hour passed and it started and was towed by a towing co to a local Pep Boys in Montg, AL. They are saying it likely needs a water pump and the engine would have to be removed. They also said the engine may need replaced because of a tapping noise which could be a lot of bad things that spell engine replacement. I would be interested in your comments, suggestions, guidance. That I know of, the radiator never overflowed. Thank you.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

There's way too many places here for things to get lost in translation, and since I'm not there to see the test results myself, my recommendation is to get a second opinion. Water pumps rarely cause overheating, except on VWs, without there being some other symptoms, most notably noises and leaks. "Tapping" can be a lot of different things from hydraulic lifters or lash adjusters that aren't pumped, to the normal clicking of fuel injectors. (I don't know which engine you have so I can't look up which parts are used).

If lifters aren't pumped up, that's due to low oil pressure and we'd have to think about how that is related to overheating. An oil system problem can make the engine run hot when there is no real cooling system problem. That's a lot more serious than a simple leaking radiator hose, and WOULD be cause to remove the engine to be rebuilt, but you won't figure that out in a few minutes. It can take hours to find all the damage and the cause so it doesn't happen again.