cooling system issues NA8?

Chicane8 · Postby **Chicane8** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:55 pm

Hi guys, been trying for a while to sort out cooling system issues on my NA8
Replaced heater pipe o ring a few weeks ago. Not leaking coolant anymore.
Replaced alternator belt, must have been slipping as it was getting warm at 100kmh then return to normal temp if I slowed down a little bit.
Each time I tightenend the belt a few turns it ran closer to normal temp. I am now at the end of adjustment? My last belt seemed to be in the middle of adjustment range. Can they vary this much?
I know the drivers side fan is working but haven't seen the passenger side one kick in lately, how would I check if this is faulty?
Thanks guys.

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:18 pm

Maybe the belt is too long? Might be one for a different car. Check the part number on it? The other radiator fan only comes on when the A/C is on (makes both fans run continuously) on the NA6, so NA8 is probably the same.

Chicane8 · Postby **Chicane8** » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:30 pm

Thanks mate, that makes sense about the fan didn't know that!
The belt is def the right part number, will keep my eye on it I think it will run @ normal temp now. Otherwise might just buy a different brand if I have any more issues with it.
Cheers
Might change thermostat too......

speed · Postby **speed** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:45 am

Drivers side fan is for air con. Passenger side is thermo fan.

I'd be concerned if the thermo fan doesn't kick in. Had to replace the fan motor in mine.

Best of luck mate.

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Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:43 pm

belt brand should make no difference. A belt has a spec related to its size / length etc. Also part numbers can be wrong- ie a dod number in a catalog etc. . If you are out of adjustment then it has to be the wrong belt i.e. the length is not correct. If the car is running hot it does need to be diagnosed - don't replace the fan motor unless its diagnosed as faulty. If you have the old belt take it with you to your parts supplier.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:59 pm

I'm with Morlock, double check the belt size.

Normally the alternator belts are pretty tight, as in it's normally a struggle to get the belt over the alternator pulley even with the tensioner backed right off.

Are you sure you didn't get a belt for a car with power steering? (can't remember if it's separate belt on the NA)
ALso check that any idler pulleys are correctly oriented, if you've accidentally put the belt on the wrong side of one it caould make the tension weird.

The usual checks for the cooling system are:
Leaks (sounds like you've covered that)
Pump (check the water pump is working, you can sometimes see the coolant flowing through the radiator if you start the car with the cap off and look inside. the car must be cold when yuo do this otherwise you'll scald yourself)
Thermostat (just replace it, they're cheap enough to not even be worth testing)
Fans (usually only a problem if the car overheats while stationary)

And finally, if that all seems good, it's probably got a blockage somewhere. Give the system a flush (heater on full power while you do it) and you can flush out some gunk.
bear in mind, the home flusher stuff can't get out big deposits, for those the radiator needs to be removed and be properly cleaned by a professional.

speed · Postby **speed** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 7:59 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:don't replace the fan motor unless its diagnosed as faulty.

Just to be clear, I was pointing out the correct orientation of our fans and that I would be concerned if the thermo fan doesn't kick in.

Other than this I do agree with what others have said.

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