Ceramic coating headers

jimmy_vee · Postby **jimmy_vee** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:43 pm

The radiator plastics should be black, as they get older and near the end of their life they turn brown and get brittle. It is best to replace it now instead of risking it cracking while your driving and ending up with a bill 10x the cost of a new radiator.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=515892
http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php ... rown-Death

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:43 pm

Yeah sorry ... when the top tank starts turning brown like that, it's a sign they're on their way out. They can start to develop cracks.

oops ... Jimmy beat me to it ...

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:54 pm

Thanks!

speed · Postby **speed** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:53 am

My mates daily dríven na6 has had a brown radiator top for more than 15 years and is going fine.
Mine is also the same but I have an aftermark unit ready to install when I get the time.
The point that I'm trying to make is that everyone jumps on this bandwagon for reassurance purposes however that doesn't mean that your radiator will definitely expire soon.
The SE's seem to Crack a lot easier then the na6, especially near the top radiator hose.

Best of luck

TrackAttack · Postby **TrackAttack** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 10:47 am

With a radiator tank of that colour, I wouldn't be game removing a hose unless I had a spare radiator to swap out. Look closely for hairline cracks across the tank. Sure it may not fail, but if it does, it'll most likely best case end in a tow which is money better spent on replacing the radiator... Worst case is you don't notice a leak between the tank and the core, and run it dry...

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 11:24 am

Will check it out....car is NA8 thats done 87,000k
I'd say everything is original....;)

I note radiator has fittings for 2 fans, but only one fitted
Workshop manual only shows one....later models 2 ???

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 11:30 am

Do you have air con?

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 11:32 am

AC added the second fan.

And it's more so age than kms that will deteriorate the radiator.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 11:38 am

It's heat that deteriorates the radiator plastics. The top cover always fails first because hot water from the engine goes in at the top but it's much cooler when it reaches the bottom.

But yes, I think the problem is overstated. My NA8 is on its original radiator, the top tank has been replaced once for around $70 including a full test and pressure clean and the car has been tracked regularly for years without heat problems.