pewe
Chats A Bit
Posts: 157
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Post by pewe on Aug 29, 2017 12:01:27 GMT
I've been concerned for some time about it using/losing coolant - not huge amounts but requiring top-ups more frequently than I'm happy with. Checked the compressions and even after 5 years hard use in my ownership they're all up there. So after cambelt and waterpump change coolant loss seemed to accelerate. Lots of thinking incl. head gasket replacement but finally decided to buy a new/seconhand rad (only £20 so worth the gamble). Whilst at it I checked the thermostat opening to find the 90c one I put in some time ago reluctantly opens nearer 100c. Replaced with one from stock which opens @ 82c but also drilled two small (2mm) pilot holes in the thermostat plate to prevent air-locks (position plate so that holes are nearest the rad). Also noticed the washer under the rad cap had a) hardened and b) had quite rounded edges. So far after a few hot runs there seems to be no further losses. Moral of the story - don't jump to major conclusions before verifying the smaller/simpler options have been checked out first. HTH. Cheers, Pewe.
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Post by Rickster on Aug 29, 2017 16:03:41 GMT
This happened to me - spent hours draining coolant checking hoses, joints even the rad itself etc - turned out to be the cap!!
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pewe
Chats A Bit
Posts: 157
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Post by pewe on Sept 25, 2017 17:18:01 GMT
Two thousand miles into our Italian trip all the above proved to be a load of Horlicks. We had thrashed around N. Italy following the GP Nuvolari for 3 days and a detour to take in the Futa and Raticosa passes (mega driving country and used for many classic rallies incl. the Mille Miglia) but have to say the drive back to Forli from Borgo San Lorenzo was stupendous. Arriving back in Mantova I decided to check the coolant level only to find it had lost half the coolant. Long story cut short - we ended up at the only Mazda dealer in the area in Reggio Emilia (Parmigano Reggiano being the towns most famous product). Two days later having had a new waterpump inlet pipe shipped in from Turin and fitted we were on our way again. So some words of advice:- Check the small steel pipe which runs from the front of the waterpump inlet pipe for corrosion. Best advice is to put a spanner over it and subject it to lateral and vertical stress. If it breaks you've lost nothing as it was on its way and you just may have avoided a cooked engine. Not for nothing do MX5Parts say "This part corrodes badly and is often the cause of leaks." BTW MX5Parts charge c.£97 compared to €147 +IVA for the "genuine" part. You have been warned!! Cheers, Pewe.
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