RANT: Stock Radiators suck ass!
#1
RANT: Stock Radiators suck ***!
I wonder WHAT made Mazda decide it was a great idea to use plastic instead of metal on radiators
Tonight while driving to my friends house, my temp gauge was reading a tad bit higher than usual. I didnt think much of it until I was exiting the freeway and noticed some smoke coming out of the hood. I immediately pulled into the gas station and figured my car was on fire. I hit the fuel pump kill switch and let the car die. I opened the hood just enough for me to get a peek and look for flames. After realizing it wasnt a fire, I opened the hood completely and saw coolant everywhere. Theres a giant crack on the radiator and coolant gushed out of it whenever the radiator hose was squeezed. After "filling" up the radiator, I get to my friends house real fast which is like 2 blocks from the gas station. He gives me a ride to my house to pick up a spare radiator (good thing I kept it around) and some coolant. Now I'm swapping a radiator outside wearing khakis with only the reflection of my head lights as a light source. 35 minutes later the car runs once again. This is the 3rd or 4th radiator that has cracked on me since owning 3 FCs in the last year and a half.
Moral of the story, BUY an aftermarket radiator ASAP. Even if your stocker looks perfectly fine (like mine), it will crack when you least expect it.
Tonight while driving to my friends house, my temp gauge was reading a tad bit higher than usual. I didnt think much of it until I was exiting the freeway and noticed some smoke coming out of the hood. I immediately pulled into the gas station and figured my car was on fire. I hit the fuel pump kill switch and let the car die. I opened the hood just enough for me to get a peek and look for flames. After realizing it wasnt a fire, I opened the hood completely and saw coolant everywhere. Theres a giant crack on the radiator and coolant gushed out of it whenever the radiator hose was squeezed. After "filling" up the radiator, I get to my friends house real fast which is like 2 blocks from the gas station. He gives me a ride to my house to pick up a spare radiator (good thing I kept it around) and some coolant. Now I'm swapping a radiator outside wearing khakis with only the reflection of my head lights as a light source. 35 minutes later the car runs once again. This is the 3rd or 4th radiator that has cracked on me since owning 3 FCs in the last year and a half.
Moral of the story, BUY an aftermarket radiator ASAP. Even if your stocker looks perfectly fine (like mine), it will crack when you least expect it.
#5
putting it down daily
Jeez, guys- expensive stuff there!!
I replaced mine with one from Napa (all metal)
for 130.00 and it had all the stock sensor locations.
Wan- I am totally feelin ya- only I made the mistake of patching mine with marine grade epoxy. Worked really good for about two weeks, then the whole plactic cap just fragmented like sun rotted vinyl. I was damn lucky I didn't lose the motor!!
I replaced mine with one from Napa (all metal)
for 130.00 and it had all the stock sensor locations.
Wan- I am totally feelin ya- only I made the mistake of patching mine with marine grade epoxy. Worked really good for about two weeks, then the whole plactic cap just fragmented like sun rotted vinyl. I was damn lucky I didn't lose the motor!!
#6
Originally posted by JasonL
I hear you! Where's the best bang for the buck radiator to buy? Any suggestions guys?
I hear you! Where's the best bang for the buck radiator to buy? Any suggestions guys?
ps.
The plastic on our radiators = teh sux!
#7
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
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I'm a tightwad so when my plastic top tank cracked, I went to radiators.com $134 + S&H.
If you are really in a pinch, Bondo marine epoxy putty stick will make a good patch.
Of course after one crack, others will follow.
A temporary "limp home" fix is to fill up the rad & loosen the rad cap so it won't hold pressure.
If you are really in a pinch, Bondo marine epoxy putty stick will make a good patch.
Of course after one crack, others will follow.
A temporary "limp home" fix is to fill up the rad & loosen the rad cap so it won't hold pressure.
Last edited by SureShot; 07-08-03 at 07:51 AM.