Need help with a radiator problem!

Madaz-mx5 · Postby **Madaz-mx5** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:23 pm

Hi everyone,

The radiator on my NA8 is losing fluid from somewhere. Usually completely empties every 2 weeks.

The first time I saw this happening, the engine had become really hot, and steam seemed to be coming from behind the engine, near the lower bit of the engine-bay firewall

How am I suppose to find the cause of the loss of fluid?

Thanks people!

Andy Wana · Postby **Andy Wana** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:55 pm

Maybe a new radiator is the solution?
They aren't that expensive right?

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:55 pm

Not 100% sure with your model, but on mine there are two hoses that go through the firewall on the passenger side of the engine bay. These hoses connect to the cabin heater. It is possible that one of these hoses is split?

Also I think there is a rubber seal/cap at the back of the engine that is known to fail with age?

What you are describing has he potential to cause engine damage, I would consider taking the car to a recommended service centre and have a professional look at it.

J

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:01 pm

It could be one of these hoses - see red arrows.

Madaz-mx5 · Postby **Madaz-mx5** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:03 pm

Thanks guys, will do 2moro

im going to be driving from sydney to newcastle 2moro (and i do that often), so i hope i can do something about the car before i leavea!

Madaz-mx5 · Postby **Madaz-mx5** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 11:08 pm

JBT, are those hoses the same type as the hoses that are next to and directly under the radiator cap?

If they are, then chances are that is where the problem lies

Those hoses next to the radiator cap started giving way one by one cause they are so old

sabretooth · Postby **sabretooth** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 12:11 am

Remove the hoses and replace them both. If one's going, the other is likely to also. The CAS seal leaking hot oil onto the hose will also deteriorate any rubber it drips onto.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:21 am

Madaz-mx5 wrote:JBT, are those hoses the same type as the hoses that are next to and directly under the radiator cap?

There are two different types of hoses indicated on the photo I posted. The one to the left is a heater hose (about 20mm outside diameter) and the one to the right is either a rubber blank or a hose, depending on your model, (about 12mm outside diameter). Both are b@st@rds to get at.

If removing the heater hose, make sure that you carefully CUT IT OFF the heater inlets at the firewall or you will distort the copper pipes - they are very thin and fragile.

mr_rotary · Postby **mr_rotary** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:43 am

JBT wrote:It could be one of these hoses - see red arrows.

I had the little bastard on the right go on me about a month ago, always the 20c part that fails. A right pain in the butt to butt to fix as well :evil:

Best tool I ised to get the clip over the rubber blanking piece was a stationary bulldog clip. Put the blanking piece on first, then use a bulldog clip to pry open the clamp and then swear a bit and it will eventually slide on.

PS - Use a radiator pressure tester to see where it's leaking in 20 seconds!