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[11/18/2008 @ 6:15pm] Long story short....the actually hose ( not the plastic piece) snapped and I have to replace (1993 GS) the hose that goes from thermostat to the heater core (fire wall). I found the hose for 8 bucks at autozone...but that plastic clip seems like I need a special tool to take it off. Has anyone successfully taken the plastic thing out without breaking it?

[11/18/2008 @ 6:45pm] closer inspection showing that the plastic clip snapped in the rubber hose...I have searched and it seems no one can find this plastic adapter piece...anyone have luck? I will be calling Mazda tomorrow and pray that if they have it that it wont cost $1500.

Gee I replaced mine this spring but I'll be damned if I can remember experiencing any problems. The hoses are shaped so buy them from the Dealer. Mine gives me 20% off and she's a real cutie too.

Daninski wrote:Gee I replaced mine this spring but I'll be damned if I can remember experiencing any problems. The hoses are shaped so buy them from the Dealer. Mine gives me 20% off and she's a real cutie too.

HUH? Do you mean you bought your plastic piece with the hose from the dealer (or just the plastic connector)? And your plastic piece/ hose is a "cutie"? Of course you are not experiencing problems...you replaced it...My car is sitting in my driveway with the hose going from the thermostat to the heater core broken at the plastic connector leaking any liquid that I pour in to my coolant system...yea I think "I" am experiencing a problem.

are you talking about the quick connect plastic piece? which side is broken... the one on the heater core stub or the piece on the hose?

Mooneggs wrote:are you talking about the quick connect plastic piece? which side is broken... the one on the heater core stub or the piece on the hose?

Yes the quick connect plastic piece...the male end of it that sticks into the rubber hose broke inside the hose...looks like it just snapped or gave way...must of been damaged for a week or so...I have been smelling that syrupy coolant smell off and on...the on Monday it pretty much totally separated. Sounds like you have a good suggestion.

I could not find the quick connect plastic piece anywhere. Mine broke off from being too brittle, and I had the core bypassed for awhile. I got a shop to put some pipe on and clamp it down well enough after removing the remnants of the plastic connector. For some reason, I couldn't do it myself - when I did it, it kept leaking coolant!

I had this exact same problem a year ago... I remember I went to the junkyard and grabbed a couple - do you have a junkyard near you? I'm not sure about 4cyl but all the v6's should have 2 of those connectors...

If not, I'll try and look when I get home to see if I still have a spare...

I found 1 and it was just as brittle as the one I had on my car, so I didn't use it. They don't make them anymore and the only ones that are close are fords...they don't quite match up because of the length of metal sticking out from the heatercore. I went to a napa by me and found some that were similar, but they didnt work right because they couldnt seal.

onlytrueromeo wrote:I found 1 and it was just as brittle as the one I had on my car, so I didn't use it. They don't make them anymore and the only ones that are close are fords...they don't quite match up because of the length of metal sticking out from the heatercore. I went to a napa by me and found some that were similar, but they didnt work right because they couldnt seal.

Well I don't know if they make them any more, but Mazda Corp. has them stored at some parts departments somewhere...I called my local Mazda dealer and they are overnighting the plastic quick connect. It cost $20 and then an extra 5$ to overnight ship it. I should be good tomorrow, hopefully.

!!!!

how in the hell! I tried 2 mazda places they basically laughed at me! can you get me the number and the part number whatnot so I can get the same?

onlytrueromeo wrote:!!!!

how in the hell! I tried 2 mazda places they basically laughed at me! can you get me the number and the part number whatnot so I can get the same?

I bought mine from Hall Mazda here in Virginia Beach, VA. (757) 631-7000. I will give you the part tomorrow. Pray that it is the right part.

here is the part I bought.

anyone not use the quick connect and just run a pipe directly onto the heater core?

does the quick connect give any flexibility, to prevent damage to the heater core when the engine rocks?

thanks

I don't use the quick connects. They're plastic, and have a habit of disintegrating. I'd remove them if they broke. The hose flexes plenty when the engine moves.

i just used the ford ones when mine broke. i dont remember if i had to do anything special or not but its been workin for 6+ months without problems. if i remember right i completely removed both sides of the old part and replaced them with the ford ones...