NA Radiator

Earlybird · Postby **Earlybird** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:40 pm

Bloody terrific! My radiator has shat itself.

Of course this had to happen on the long weekend, just after I spent a motza getting the timing belt and water pump replaced and a pin hole in the inlet housing repaired. Then of course my headlight retractor relay has decided to stop working as well. Aaaarrgghhhh!!!!

Now that I've had my rant about the bottomless money pit that my car is lately, who can tell me how much a new radiator will be and where around Penrith could I pick one up from. I'm just after a standard replacement that I can bolt straight in myself.

mazdaz · Postby **mazdaz** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:05 pm

just been through this carsrus is the website

http://www.carsrus.com.au/?gclid=CPqfof ... pgodZlwAHw

$200 pick up or $220 posted I think, I got an auto radiator. When put side by side the new one was bigger, has dropped running temps too (on the gauge).

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 2:57 pm

Auto radiators were bigger from the factory. 25 ws 20 mm?

zoomzoom · Postby **zoomzoom** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:26 pm

Auto is 27mm (got a spare one sitting downstairs) and from memory the std one is about 16mm. When I began to exceed the capabilities of the auto rad I got an ASI Performance one from ebay (brandname china special) as I had heard good things about them from the silvia boys. The one I got was about 42mm, I was after the thinnest I could get that was larger than stock auto rad. It was about 140 delivered from memory, so unless you have an overwhelming desire to keep an oem radiator that is hard to beat.

Cheers,

Tim

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:40 pm

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ASI-42mm-aluminum-race-radiator-mazda-miata-MX5-90-97-/300802188619?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item460935254b

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:05 pm

Here is a really novel idea. Go down to the local radiator repairer / fitter and ask them for a quote on a radiator. Do the same for Bursons or Repco etc. You can also check Mazda- no one charges for quotes. Old cars break because the components etc all reach design life. If you have never replaced a radiator before makes sure that when it is refilled there is no air trapped in the system. The cheap radiator is cheap for a reason and its not because its the best quality.

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:14 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:Here is a really novel idea. Go down to the local radiator repairer / fitter and ask them for a quote on a radiator. Do the same for Bursons or Repco etc. You can also check Mazda- no one charges for quotes.

The cheap radiator is cheap for a reason and its not because its the best quality.

From experience, to repair the radiator will cost more than an aftermarket replacement such as the one listed above. Also, if you do a bit of research, the ASI radiators have been proven to be reliable across a number of applications (not just the MX5).

I had the radiator end tank replaced on my car about 2 years ago. It was $150 for the replacement top end tank with labour and coolant. Since you're willing to remove and refit etc yourself, you should be able to get the tank supplied and installed onto your existing radiator for a fair bit cheaper.

The end tank was also chinese made. It has been fine to date with no discolouration or cracking. If you're interested in the place I used Earlybird (it's about a 20 min drive from you) send me a PM. :beer:

More feedback/discussion re: the ASI's here http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=54049&hilit=ASi+radiator

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 8:02 pm

The radiator guys service, repair and sell replacement radiators - one has to assume that is their core business- terrible pun. A bit of laugh - guys reporting no problems with rads after a year or two when an OE one is probably good for 10 years. ASI might be ok but cheap is positively the wrong way to source critical items. PS one does not post radiators- they will not fit through the slot.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 8:50 pm

So where do you think "legit" radiator places buy their radiators from morlock?
So why do you think their radiators are more expensive?, being a retailer, at a physical shop, on real estate, paying rates, paying employees, paying overheads, etc. etc.
So by your logic, price is a determining factor on quality, no question?
So, despite the fact there's been overwhelming good reviews over bad reviews on "cheap" radiators, you still think you are correct in everything you state regarding price vs quality?

Sad.

But hey, maybe I'm just jealous that others are so rich that they don't have to think twice about buying anything, and always sleep well at night knowing that because they paid five times more than other people, whatever they paid for is five times better and will last five times longer. Always.

Now excuse me while I go and blow my nose with $1 Home Brand tissues instead of Kleenex, I feel so bad that my snot will never feel the extra goodness, and I guess I'll have to live with (going by your logic) the fact that I won't blow my nose properly.

Earlybird · Postby **Earlybird** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:43 pm

Ended up going with new radiator from ebay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-Mazda-MX-5-NA-89-98-Aluminium-Alloy-Core-Radiator-1-6L-1-8L-AUTO-MANUAL-/230886539661?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c1e9018d&_uhb=1#ht_3529wt_1156

Am also replacing all my hoses while I'm at it as it looks like everyone of them is still original, as was the radiator.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390492870055#ht_500wt_986

I love ebay, saves so much time and effort running around.

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Tue Apr 02, 2013 9:01 pm

Judging by the end tank, radiator cap and sticker locations, it looks pretty identical to the replacement end tank I have on mine. Chinese made, but like I said, no problems to date.

Glad it all worked out in the end.