radiator question
#1
radiator question
So I recently picked up an 04 MSM with 115,000 miles (got it pretty cheap), but the guy I bought it from said that it started overheating the last time he drove it back in Sept. When I got it back to my house I looked over everything, and let her idle for around 20 mins and it was fine... but when I took her out for a test drive, she started overheating like 5 miles from my house. I figure since I got it for cheaper than I had saved, I'll spend the money and just get a rad, hoses, and maybe some fans.
I've been looking into everything, but i'm new to the MSM game... my question comes down to this: can i use a radiator that's made for a regular 05 mx-5?? I really like a few that are made for it but don't want to buy anything before i find this out.. any help would be appreciated!!
I've been looking into everything, but i'm new to the MSM game... my question comes down to this: can i use a radiator that's made for a regular 05 mx-5?? I really like a few that are made for it but don't want to buy anything before i find this out.. any help would be appreciated!!
#3
Is the radiator broken or defective in any way? Simply replacing it wont do jack **** unless its broken somehow which it doesn't sound like it is.
Is all the ducting in place? Is the undertray on?
How long ago was the water pump/timing belt done?
Post some pics and provide more info.
Don't just start throwing new parts at it.
Is all the ducting in place? Is the undertray on?
How long ago was the water pump/timing belt done?
Post some pics and provide more info.
Don't just start throwing new parts at it.
#4
Well it was ladedah mostly, with 1 40-80 pull, but nothing too harsh. It was still kind of snowy out so i didn't want to go too hard. I have a feeling that one of the hoses might have a crack in it and/or the tstat but since it's got high miles and an overheating issue, I figure i might as well just do the whole cooling system since I have the extra cash.
#7
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Well it was ladedah mostly, with 1 40-80 pull, but nothing too harsh. It was still kind of snowy out so i didn't want to go too hard. I have a feeling that one of the hoses might have a crack in it and/or the tstat but since it's got high miles and an overheating issue, I figure i might as well just do the whole cooling system since I have the extra cash.
And do the timing belt. And water pump.
#8
Timing belt/water pump were done at 90,000 miles forgot to mention that. The guy said he tried replacing the rad cap with one from Advanced Auto, so I might try that and changing the tstat before I redo the whole cooling system now that you guys bring all that up. Especially since it's cheap and will likely need it anyways. I'll update once I see if that helps.
#9
Not sure I would replace a MSM radiator with a standard NB radiator if they're different.
If the MSM radiator is different, the purpose is to compensate for the extra heat that the turbo engine produces.
I would also check your coolant to make sure it's not 100% antifreeze.
You live in philadelphia, a radiator that is 50% blocked shouldn't be giving you issues right now. Look inside the "mouth" of the car and make sure there arent a couple dead possums wedged up in there.
After your car has cooled down, see if the radiator hoses want to collapse.
Have you opened the radiator yet to see if it is even full?
If the MSM radiator is different, the purpose is to compensate for the extra heat that the turbo engine produces.
I would also check your coolant to make sure it's not 100% antifreeze.
You live in philadelphia, a radiator that is 50% blocked shouldn't be giving you issues right now. Look inside the "mouth" of the car and make sure there arent a couple dead possums wedged up in there.
After your car has cooled down, see if the radiator hoses want to collapse.
Have you opened the radiator yet to see if it is even full?
#10
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Timing belt/water pump were done at 90,000 miles forgot to mention that. The guy said he tried replacing the rad cap with one from Advanced Auto, so I might try that and changing the tstat before I redo the whole cooling system now that you guys bring all that up. Especially since it's cheap and will likely need it anyways. I'll update once I see if that helps.
#12
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That said, while I still haven't seen anything here which suggests that the radiator needs replacing, I can't see any reason why if one was to replace it, they wouldn't go with one of the various inexpensive all-aluminum models available from Mishimoto or Koyo.
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...ml?id=p2XJcWZQ
http://949racing.com/koyo-radiator-miata-nb.aspx
Is it necessary? Maybe, maybe not. But it's cheap insurance if you're in there anyway, same as replacing a perfectly good water pump simply because you happen to have the timing belt off already.
#15
yeah it definitely was a crack around the filler neck. I couldn't see it, but my buddy whose a mechanic checked it out for me.. he's keeping it at his shop for now until i can decide which rad to go with. I'd love to hear from anyone with an msm or nb-t that's using the mishimoto, or any other.. and like some of you said, i'm definitely going to go with an aluminum rad.. buying a plastic one just doesn't seem to make sense to me.
#16
I had a Koyo on my last car (that I bought when I found a crack in my stock rad), this car came with PWR, I've been happy with both, but they're pretty pricey. If I was shopping for one right now I'd go with one of the Chinese copy's: Mishimoto/CXRacing/Godspeed. Unless you're building a race car, in which case I'd get TSE.
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