what type of coolant?

[evil_weevil]

Lads,
Upgrading radiator this week with a mate (good ole sunday project!) just wondering is there any special coolant our NA8 mx5's use/require?

Any tips or ideaS?
Cheers!
Chris

[hks_kansei]

the green one!

seriously, I dont know, check the manual, it should have info on the type and the ratio to water needed.

[evil_weevil]

dont have the car's manual doh!

[hot rod]

Steer clear of Techtaloy, go for Nulon products.

I just bought geniune Mazda coolant for mine. It's $23.50 per 1L bottle from memory which makes 2L mixed so it's not cheap.

[GP]

Tip
Do not mix any stronger than recommended. Some types are so slippery they can leak past the water pump seal if too strong

[evil_weevil]

Cheers guys!

hot rod - stupid question but how many L's do I need?

[rossint]

Steer clear of Techtaloy, go for Nulon products.

I just bought geniune Mazda coolant for mine. It's $23.50 per 1L bottle from memory which makes 2L mixed so it's not cheap.

What's the wrong with Techtaloy? I've been running xtra cool gold in mine and haven't had any problems.
Miata.net says 6 litres for an NA, if it's an aftermarket radiator it may take a little more.

[bin]

If I don't remember wrongly, I read from an article that if you're using an alloy radiator, techtaloy causes electrolysis between the alloy radiator and the engine block.

[wun911]

Hrmz been using techtaloy for ages with PWR rad no problems even on the track...

I only use about 20% AF though...

[hot rod]

Well in my experience Techtaloy products do not meet most manufactuter specifications - Ford, Holden, Toyota etc. Look on the back of them on the labelling, I could be wrong? The Nulon products do.

I have had problems with Electrolisys as well using Techtaloy 90 and 3 radiator shops have all told me the exact same thing - do not to use Techtaloy product in any alloy radiator. I also was not aware of any problems either until I looked inside my radiator - saying this doesn't mean anyone else will necessarily have this same problem. Now on the Mazda coolant and no charge problems.

All 3 of them recommened geniune Holden green coolant for iron engine blocks and Holden red coolant for alloy engines if this helps anyone.

[hot rod]

Cheers guys!

hot rod - stupid question but how many L's do I need?

I think the stock system holds about 5.5L from memory? Aftermarket radiator you may need around 7L.

The manaul should tell you this and yes as the other guys here have suggested ensure you don't mix it stronger than recommended. You can buy demineralised water from Woolies for $6.50 for 10L, look for the brand Nobles -> http://www.noblebeverages.com

[rossint]

Good to know, I'm going to drain the radiator soon so will try the nulon stuff.

[Speedyblue]

What's the best way to flush an MX5 NA8? I've been putting off the coolant change but I'll have to do it soon. I should probably run a cleaner through there too. It looks a little dirty...

[SuperMazdaKart]

I've heard 4 drops of dish washing liquid works well for cleaning?

Distilled water & Redline's Water Wetter in my car.

[SPy vs. SPy]

Castrol AF/AB mixed up correctly with Distilled/Demineralised Water

Fill it up (the radiator) till it can't take anymore and move car to where it will be on a slight incline i.e. the front of the car is higher.

Preferably the above took thirty seconds so it's not red hot

remove radiator cap

start engine and leave it idling, add more coolant

let it bubble away

add more coolant

let it bubble away

add more coolant

let it bubble away

add more coolant

let it bubble away

add more coolant

let it bubble away

add more coolant

let it bubble away

add more coolant

30+ minutes should have passed and hopefully the thermostat has opened at least once, maybe twice, the thermo fans should have come on and off several times too.

be astonished at how much extra coolant went in

put radiator cap back on

top up overflow to "low" mark

take car for a fang

pop bonnet and check overflow, it should hopefully be half way between low and high

check at six month intervals topping up to low mark if required

completely replace the coolant again after (and every) 24 months using above method