Radiator related

[Incalescence]

Alright.. I've lurked around here finding answers to mx3 related problems for the past 4-5 months now, and finally I can't find a straight forward answer. I am desperately trying to find other radiators that would fit properly into my 1994 MX-3 RS. Everything I found just said go aftermarket.. but I am not looking to upgrade.. I'm looking to take care of this 7 inch crack in my right expansion tank on my radiator. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[atlantamx3]

CSF Makes an ALL METAL stock replacement. (The stock one is metal with plastic end tanks.)

I have one in my car.

Cost me $149 I think... it was a few years ago.

Do a Google Search for CSF Radiator.

<small>[ June 11, 2004, 12:18 AM: Message edited by: atlantamx3 ]</small>

[Incalescence]

Hmm. Well, problem being, I have little to no cash to spend on a replacement radiator, and I just need an immediate fix that stops the constant pissing of coolant when I park. Any companies that sell the end tanks? That's where my crack is.. taken the thing off twice now.. tried a plastic welder, which blew *** , and now I'm half tempted to take a soldering iron to it and just melt it back together real good. Dunno, but I need some sort of replacement idealy. Thanks for the suggestion, though. Just a budget issue. But yeah.. any cars with the same radiator design? Two end tanks left and right, not top and bottom, single core, etc? Just so I have some alternatives to ask for if some of the places I try and get one from don't have one for an mx3. Thanks in advance.

[xXdaveXx]

hey! hmm i had a problem like this one, all the coolant or watter could come off cuz it had a crack or something , sooo i took them to a radiators place and they just fixed it with some cool glue and no more loss of watter or coolant

[atlantamx3]

You can get the one for the 90-94 Protege--(or even a 90-94 escort GT??) they should be the exact same thing. Probably the same price though.

Anyway-- once the plastic endtanks crack on the stock one, there is virtually no way to fix it.

It would be better and safer just to replace it.

Cant afford $149? I understand, trust me. Mow a couple of yards one weekend & you can get it.

[Joey's mx]

If you need to quick fix it for now i would try sanding it with rough sandpaper and use JB weld to cover the crack....it should work for a little while until you get the new one...I would try to get a new one ASAP!!!!!

[Incalescence]

I tried reinforcing the first weld with JB weld. Didn't work out for me. And as far as the mowing a few yards.. Heh, I'm behind on my car payment 300 bucks at the moment, that's the reason for the bind Thanks though.. I just wasn't sure if the mounting studs (I guess you might call them) would be the same for the protege and the escort.

Thanks, I'll look into it asap.

[Gro Harlem]

if you go to a junkyard, you'll find a lot of ford escorts have OEM metal radiators, which translates into better reliability.

Their radiators should bolt up and fit your car fine. The protege's however have SH!!TY plastic radiators like the MX3's...no idea why mazda thought plastic would be a good material to make a pressurized hot-a$$ cooling system with?

[Incalescence]

Nah, the escorts didn't happen. Did go today, though. Forked out $81.. they had one mx3 in there with a radiator.. I went back with the guy who went to pull it.. the damn thing had an identical crack to mine! Determined to not have come for nothing, I found a radiator in a 94 626 that looked the part.. took a few measurements, and it turned out to be nearly identical, difference being that the radiator had larger in/outlets and the plastic was thicker, and a lot better on it's design. I just put it in and it fits in the rubber holders perfect, only thing that was a trick was forcing the smaller radiator hoses onto the radiator, which went fine with a little coolant and love

Thanks for the tips, all.

[mykel78]

Hey, I wonder what other differences/improvements your new radiator may hold. Primarily, does it have a larger capacity? Or is all of its dimensions the same at the original?

[WTF]

GRO HARLEM dont be sayin nonsense, the Ford Escort have the BP05 but is the worst radiator ever. The best quality are the ones in the Protege LX or MX-3...

AlL and I will say it again; ALLLL!! ESCORTS are made of plastic and the quality is bad. I had an Escort GT and know what I am talkin about, LX is the way.

Made of metal! JEES!@@

[WTF]

You have no idea why it is made of plastic in top and bottom.

What do you prefer to blow up if the fan seizes or the water pump stops workin...

The head gasket or the plastic in the rad to force you to stop the car?

The same reason a head gasket is suppose to give up before any other internal components, to prevent major damages.

<small>[ June 20, 2004, 12:14 AM: Message edited by: WTF ]</small>