It looks like the Texas heat finally beat my radiator. When I got home today the fans where on and coolant was leaking under the car. When I opened the hood the fans were "spitting" coolant at me. It looks like coolant was escaping from the top seam on the stock radiator. Check the attached picture.

Is this how the stock radiator usually fails? I'll look more closely once it cools off, but I am 90% sure this is the leak. If the radiator did fail, I'm guessing this is a good time to look at an aftermarket replacement.

 

Yeah, sounds like your stock plastic end-tanks have seen their last.
Here is a GREAT OEM (but actually MUCH better!) replacement. Absolute drop-in with no problems and about 25% larger than stock.
http://www.radiatorworld.com/radiato...no=15107&cat=1

 

So do the radiatorworld radiators have the AST connection at the bottom? From the picture it looks like they may, but it may just be a drain plug.

 

I have mended several miata radiators that have the same problem, you can with great care uncrimp the top of the rad then clean the rubber seal along the top and with the aid of a little sealent recrimp the edge with long pliers, easy to do but i admit i would not use it as a perm fix, just something to keep you going till you get a replacement.

 

might be a good chance to go grab an aftermarkey rad now!!

 

Time to upgrade to a Koyo. Damn, and you ran a Greddy fmic without an upgraded rad? AND you're not running an undertray?? My water temps were very very high even with a Koyo and undertray on!

 

Yeah, I know that isn't a good idea. I have been slowly reversing/correcting things from the previous owner. I was actually running my powerfc when it failed. The temps maxed out at 110C(230F) right before I shut it off!

 

Yes, they have everything. A PERFECT radiator. I have one and it is ******* awesome.
Trust me, you can't go wrong with this OEM replacement radiator. Save yourself the hassle of screwing with a poor or non-fitting Koyo or Fluidyne. THESE radiators rock!

 

There was one thing I needed to modify to install this radiator (other than stuff related to my PF intake/intercooler):

The LH lower support "safety tab" interfered with the bottom tank and needed to be bent/cut down to clear it. Otherwise it might have chewed its way through the tank.