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What is the name of the part on the engine (on the passenger side) that has a coolant cap on it. It looks like a plastic housing with a spot on the side for a hole that has never been punched out? The one on my fiance's car is cracked and is causing her system to ever so slowly leak coolant, and I don't know what to tell the parts stores I need. Also, where can I get it. Advance Auto didn't even know what an MX-3 was.<P>Also, how hard is it to change the serpentine belt in the v6's? Her belt squeals like a mutha when it's cold. I'm guessing it's because of coolant from the first part I was talking about leaking onto the belt or something.

If you mean a cap coping out of the coolant pipe on top of engine, left side near the power steering reservoir, then its the coolant filling cap. If your part is made of plastic instead of aluminum then you had better changing it immediately. The plastic one fails sooner or later and will leak coolant which is quite dangerous. <P>The new one will be made of aluminum, much safer.

I'm asking about the plastic part that the cap screws to, not the cap itself. I replaced the cap when we noticed that there was antifreeze leaking from that area. We didn't know that it was coming from that plastic part underneath the cap. What's it called and do you know where can I get a new one?<P>Also, have you or anybody ever replaced the serpentine belt? It looks pretty crammed in there and I was wondering if there's a procedure or method to doing it.

hey man, <BR>1.8 v6 doesn't have a serpantine belt, it has 2 accessory belts. One drives the power steering and water pumps, and the second one drive condenser and alternator (correct me if iam wrong). It looks tight in there, but it's very easy. Look for the post that David Coleman put up "FAQ:Tim. Belt/Water Pump..." it has all the pictures and necessary tools.<BR>Good luck

i know the piece your talking about but i cant think of the name of it eather. but mazda is the only place i could find it ( and the new will come in aluminum instead of plastic) as for the belts they are not that hare bt your right their is not a lot of room in there to get your hands in. their are 2 serp belts a front and a rear you have to make shure to loosen the tentioners befor u take the belts off the front tentioner u can get from the top the rear tentioner u have to get from the bottem. please read over a shop manual or the online manuale befor changing the belts besaues eavon though they are not that hard its all ways better that trying to do it "blind". good luck

Hey, thanks for all the info. My main concern is to get the coolant leak stopped, get the belts replaced, get new CVs, front wheel bearings, and tires. Then she'll be good to go until next tax return time.

Okay, now for my next question:<P>Where can I find a Mazda Dealership close to north central PA??? The closest one for me is in Williamsport, but I don't know the name of the place. Also, any places near Corning, NY would be great also.

listen man, are you talking about the coolant resevoir? mazda would have it for sure. And about the belts, just because they squeel doesn't mean they need to be replaced, they can also be tightened which will also make the squeeling go away, i had the same problem and i fixed it like this hasn't squeeled since. If you are not sure how to do so, you should go buy a chilton or hayes manual for your car those are mx-3 bibles! good luck

Thanks for the input Pedro. What I'm looking for (I finally found out what it's called) is the coolant filler neck on the passenger side of the engine. Upon closer inspection it looks like the gasket it leaking and the neck isn't cracked. I want to replace it anyway just to be safe. <P>I figured that the belts have possibly been glazed from the antifreeze dripping on them. (I don't think it could be good for them). I checked the online manual on how to tighten them and I'll do it the next warmer day we get. <P>Where can I get a Haynes manual for her car? I've been looking everywhere for one and I have had no luck. I've had a haynes for every vehicle I've owned so far, and hers are hard to come by in my area. Chiltons as well. I've checked every autozone and advance within a 50 mi radius.

Haynes doesn't make a manual for the MX-3. I've looked on there web site in all the different country sites. Chiltons makes a manual that covers a bunch of cars including the MX-3. Chiltons sucks, and I recomend using the online manual where you can. I looked at ordering the shop manual for my car, but it's pretty expensive for the stuff I plan on doing.<BR>good luck, (and I know I'm in the GS forum)<BR>tk1138

I just bought one of those Rad caps it was like $33 cnd

WERE GETTING OFF THE SUBJECT ALITTLE, BUT I HAVE TO DEFEND THE CHILTON MANUAL. I USE ONE FOR EVERYTHING THAT I DO TO MY CAR. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE ONLINE MANUAL THE CHILTON IS PRETTY GOOD. ALSO F.Y.I. I GOT MINE AT BARNES AND NOBLE(A BIG BOOK STORE)DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE AROUND PA AND NY.