my car is overheating a lot. I have plenting of coolant but the radiator starts to smoke after driving a while. I have a working e-fan could it be my thermostate or radiator or what?

 

have you check the rad. for leaks?

 

Do the usual things first. Flush the cooling system, replace the coolant (make sure you bleed air out of the system properly), replace the thermostat (Mazda ONLY) and make sure the radiator isn't crudded up reducing airflow.

Exactly what do you mean when you say the radiator "smokes"? How high is the temp gauge going?

 

A steaming radiator can be caused by .....a crack in the radiator. Look for leaks around the fiberglass top. Or....it's possible that your coolant overflow tank is puking out its overflow hose, onto the front of the radiator, which causes steam. Overflow tanks are not meant to overflow themselves. Find out why it overflows...if that proves the case.

 

If it is overflowing, replace the radiator cap.

 

if the rad is smoking on or around the fins, replace the rad.

 

whats wrong with a generic lordco 16$ cnd thermostat?

 

its not OEM..

always use OEM thermostats..

 

Non-Mazda thermostats have a very poor reputation, often causing cooling problems instead of curing them.

Always use Mazda.

 

1) Many aftermarket stats are inaccurate.
2) Many don't have the air bleed hole.
3) Some don't properly close the bypass port down under the stat valve.