Crack in Rad Fill Stem

[Jutzi420]

I have a crack in the plastic stem that my rad cap is screwd onto. When I install the new one will I need to use some sort of sealant between the stem and the metal or can i just hand tighten it?

[vseved]

Yes, I am replacing this same plastic thing with a new aluminium one. I bought one yesterday.<BR>Probably they discovered the plastic ones were cracking a lot.

[Jutzi420]

Where can you buy an aluminum one?

[mfides]

The aluminum part is the standard replacement part. The platic one was mounted in early year models and tends to crack and drip coolant.

[vseved]

You can find it at your Mazda dealer. <BR>There is a rubber gasket under it (recessed in the housing underneath)which compresses when you tighten it.

[voltaire]

I've got a '93 GS with the plastic one and I've never had a problem. <P>Hope nobody is putting cold water in through there when the engine is hot!

[Jutzi420]

I've never even put rad fluid in it when it's hot. I always top it up cold. I think it was a combination of the plastic stem and the fact that my rad cap didn't have a spring loaded valve in it.<BR>I've got a good cap now along with some superglue helpin out the crack on the outside. I should have the aluminum stem tommorow.