coolant fitting cracked
 

I have been adding a lot of coolant lately and have not figured out why until the other day. I finished putting on my N1 exhaust and test drove my car. I came back and heard a hissing noise, popped the hood and noticed that coolant was squirting out of a fitting/hose on the drivers side of the block. Anyone know how to replace this and why it might have happened? Also, I have noticed blackish smoke under hard acceleration and my car is hard to crank sometimes after it has been ran.

Heater fitting or hard pipe to throttle body?

The other issue sounds like you need new plugs.

I agree that you should start by replacing your plugs. Fine which hose the coolant is spewing out of and replace it.

its a hose and fitting on the lower side of the block on the driver side. I cant seem to get the fitting off. The plugs and wires were just replaced 3 months ago with NGK.

You are dealing with the dreaded "quick disconnect", which is neither quick, nor apt to disconnect! It is a plastic fitting that slides over a metal tube that is mounted into the block. The plastic part is actually two peices: The outer housing, which the hose mounts to, and an inner seal, that allows clamping to the block tube. To remove this little horror, you need to remove the hose (drain the system first, PITA!!), then look at the outer part down near the block. See those two slots that run around the outside of the plastic part, making it look like a little cage? You need to press the little plastic tabs that are inside those slots to allow the outer housing to release.

You can get a new assembly from Mazda. I got two from Mazdatrix (cause shit NEVER works right the first time right?). After installation, I noticed my cooling system would not hold pressure if I wiggled the connection, so I pulled the whole thing and just mounted the hose right to the tube that's in the block. I used two hose clamps, one on either side of the ridge that's on the tube.

Have fun, And remember to burp your coolant system properly. Look on this forum for methods to do so.

^ ^ Could not agree more. Mine broke while working on a small oil leak by the filter housing, so I took the plastic piece off, and re-attached the hose with a hose clamp.

A replacement quick disconnect can be found at most parts stores with the "HELP" fittings. It is the same part for 86-94 Ford Aerostars. It is like $9. I'd but a new one rather than stretch the hose over to the metal fitting. Also oil tends to soak that hose so it is a good idea to keep it as far away from the block as possible.

ok thanks, yea it looked like the metal tubeing inside the plastic connector broke off. I dont know why or how but it did. it has never been touched or even close