Radiator problem



  • Hi i'm a newbie to site have just signed up have just gone over a massive pot hole on A21 . Luckily no apparent damage to tyes/wheels etc. but have got leak in radiator seems to be in boottom corner below top hose end by drain plug. But doesn't seem to be coming from drain plug itself. looks like a new rad. is needed :cry: Any tips on removal ? and would you recommend new rad or get old one repaired ?
    Thanks
    Les



  • How much water you losing? That will depend on whether to repair or replace, its pretty easy to remove rad, can't remember exactly, but I think you undo the top cover plate on front of engine bay, remove both feed pipes, could possibly be a couple more mounting bolts on top of rad and then it should just pull out, as bottom is just held in with located mounts, when its out, inspect properly, you could even bung up holes where pipes where, fill up with water and see how bad leak is



  • @9eec097b3e=LES:

    Hi i'm a newbie to site have just signed up have just gone over a massive pot hole on A21 . Luckily no apparent damage to tyes/wheels etc. but have got leak in radiator seems to be in boottom corner below top hose end by drain plug. But doesn't seem to be coming from drain plug itself. looks like a new rad. is needed :cry: Any tips on removal ? and would you recommend new rad or get old one repaired ?
    Thanks
    Les

    What engine is the car? If it's a 1.6, talk to JayMX3 I think he has a spare one.



  • Cheers will get it out and have a good look.
    Les



  • It's a 1.8 V6 gonna cost quite a bit I think !!!
    Les



  • are the 1.6 and 1.8 rads the same just with more fans on the v6 ill have a look and compare if there the same i do have a 1.6 rad spare



  • I think there different have looked on line and 1.6 is about £100 but 1.8 is double the price !!
    Les



  • Thanks for diagram will have a go at getting it out tomorrow pm
    LES



  • @209dc22f1f=LES:

    Thanks for diagram will have a go at getting it out tomorrow pm
    LES

    sorry just deleted the diagram its not realy that good its realy easy



  • I saw a good rad going for about £20 somewhere i think. Will have a look an get back to ya.



  • Hiya les, the ends of your rad will be plastic so they cannot be repaired, so its a bin job for that, they are dead easy to change, take the hoses off and undo the panel across the front, you will see a black circle either side that is the top of the radiator mount in the removable panel this will release it and it is just held at the bottom with 2 lugs and will lift straight out.

    I am pretty sure 1.6 + V6 rads are the same as well as the fans, if you get a used one with 2 fans the second fan is for when you turn the aircon on, so unless you have aircon you only need one fan, if you do have aircon you need both fitting to it.

    Dont mix up the fans as they have opposite plugs and although identical the plugs wont match or reach.

    Prices are usually £80-120 for a brand new one or 20-40 for a used one, but even then a used one you wont get a guarantee, it may leak again soon or be blocked with sludge and not work properly and if you want to keep her for a while I would go new with something like that.




  • back up again for you



  • Got rad off today was a pain to get off. hoses seemed to be glued on. have inspected rad and can not see any visible problem with it. will take it to be pressure tested tomorrow.



  • I know im a bit late here, but a good tip
    for releasing stuck hoses is to warm them
    up slightly, either get them hot via the engine coolant
    or pour warm water on them, sorry I didnt chime
    in earlier!

    How much was the pressure test if you dont mind me asking?



  • £10 for pressure test. Showed exactly where leak was. Alas could not be repaired - as per earlier post leak was from plastic end. Have managed to get a new radiator which is ALL metal, so eny future probs. will always be able to be repaired. New top and bottom hoses cost an arm and a leg, but all set to finish the job - not before time!! Can anyone out their advise - when refilling rad, should I have heater open or closed ?? have been told it differs with different makes. have not got repair manual. So if any one has repair manual covering 1994 1.8 V6 would be interested in purchasing.



  • Sorry, I'm not sure about refilling, but you can get a Chilterns Manual cheaply off ebay… I'm sure one of the others will know if about filling the system again..

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-323-MX-3-626-MX-6-Protege-1990-1998-Manual-/280623364918?pt=UK_CarParts_Vehicles_Manuals_Litterature_ET&hash=item415674bb36



  • All up and running again :D :D . Rad in kept heater on full when filling looks like no leaks and heater works. Went for a spin - first time for 10 days. Nice to have her back on the road again. THANKS for all your help. Speak again soon. Do we have an annual subsciption for this club? If so could someone tell me how it works. THANKS AGAIN ONE AND ALL . Les


 

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