Please advise:

I noticed what seemed to me like a boost leak sound. Well, now that it is winter, I have better located the actual sound is coming from my water pump...it sounds like a whine, I am guessing the bearings are shot.

I figure I can replace the water pump easily enough, but is this enough to change it out?

(Also, I am getting a fluidyne radiator, can the stock water pump handle the extra fluid? (not much).

(Coolant mix to use is the Ethyl Glycol stuff right?)

 

Replacing the water pump isnt too hard, and I don't see a problem with it and a fluidyne. May I ask you why a fluidyne radiator? Seems like it might be overkill and $$$ when a standard replacement will just as easily meet your needs for a fifth of the price.

 

Well...I want something that looks half decent in the engine compartment...something new that will last a long time, something with some kind of warantee or guarantee. I would buy the OEM radiator and put it in, however, I don't trust any of Mazda's stock coolant systems in these cars. I have had overheating problems before...the radiator that is in there is a custom COPPER radiator, which is supposed to be pretty good, but I want something built by a good manufacturer in that specific part.

I am going fluidyne because you usually get what you pay for, and if I can get 4 5ths the longevity out of the fluidyne then I would out of a stock radiator...I dunno

If the fluidyne has more surface area than the one I have in there now, I consider it a fair swap. (If I take the old one out and it is just crudded full of crap that is causeing the heating problem, then I will clean it out, bend back all the fins and not even bother buying a new radiator.

Everything I do this summer depends on what I find when I tear things apart. =)

 

There are alot of other mods that can be bought for the price difference between a fluidyne and another manufacturer.

You don't have to buy Mazda stuff there are lots of other radiator manufacturers out there that offer a good product and a decent warranty. If you put in a new rad and you still have a heat problem chances are there is something else wrong, putting in a fluidyne wont help. As for the look, once again there are lots of companys that will leave it un-painted and give the same look as the fluidyne.

It's your money of course, but unless your talking race applications, fluidyne is over kill and a major waste of cash.

 

What would you recommend then?

 

I suggest making some phone calls. There is a hundred rad shops in Edmonton. Ask them what they reccomend, get a list of different brands and then get the details about them. I bought mine for $300CDN, it's probably not "the best" but it works just fine. A rad for the most part is a rad. Unless you need it for major race applications.

Find a rad for a reasonable price, get a new water pump, change the thermostat, and you will still be under the cost of a Fluidyne and you'll be closer to fixing the heating problem.