[Guest]

My car is currently getting service and they have found a crack in the top tank of my radiator. The mechanic says that he cant get a replacement anywhere except for a mazda genuine one at $800. He seems reluctant to fix the crack or to fit 2nd hand radiator. Can anyone guide to some cheaper options. Normal Id just get him to do it but it seems bloody expensive and I cant really afford to be fork out that kind of cash at the moment

 

[ODIN]

Well you can get a 2nd hand one from a wreckers, or get a custom one built. I think LOW 626 got one done ( not sure now) still cheaper than 800.

 

[rolli]

I had exactly the same problem with the top tank of my first gen radiator...

cost me $250 (from memory, my have been 200) to replace the top tank, descale the bars and pressure test the whole unit.

Speak to a few radiator shops, they should be able to replace the tank alone and have you up and running again.

 

[ODIN]

But hang on isnt the 2G radiator just the core? It doesnt seem to have a top tank to me.

 

[Guest]

Great feed back guys thanks. Keep it coming if you can. Was just of line speaking to a radiator place they said they had 3. I not too familiar with the different parts of the radiator so excuse this please. I would have thought that the 626/tx5 would fit but the mechanic was telling me this morning that it doesnt.

I dont like risking cooking my engine bu I feel like asking him to fill it up so I can take to a radiator guy.

 

[White90MX6]

It wouldn't surprise me if they where different....

In my opinion you have 2 options

1. Fill the radiator up and hope that you make it. Tips would include...
- Undo the top so that the radiator has less pressure and will leak slower.
- Take some spare water with you and take your time.

2. Take the radiator out and drive it down in another car

I would go for option 2 if the leak is bad... otherwise, I would go option 1. You may find they will charge you extra if they have to do the labour of pulling the radiator in and out.

Tripharn

 

[PeterD]

If he found a crack during a routine service and the car wasn't overheating before you took it in...it won't overheat when you take it for a drive to a radiator specialist now.

You can get a custom radiator made up for $350 approx.

Or the place should be able to weld a new tank on top for around $200 or under.

Pete

 

[rodhog]

there is usually and aftermarket top tank maker here in Australia done both my cars. I know of heaps mazdas that have.

As for cusotm Alloy Radiator a good quality one will cost around $500 upward talking 3 core here nothing less.
but yes cheaper ones clsoe to factroy specs but why stick to factory requirments go bigger go better.

I'm sure 2nd gen's have the top tank option to be replaced. I know mazda do charge big dollars for the factory ones but.
I jsut can't remember the brand that mkaes these aftermarket ones.

 

[Guest]

Have been speaking to the radiator guy. The radiator is just a core separated by to plastic tanks. The top tank refers to where the top hose comes out. (ie the left side when looking at it from the front of the car.)

Manage to find one at a wreckers in Perth for $220. convenient enough for me to get transported 2 hours south where I am. Im a bit scepticle at how good it will be though if its been sitting in the car at the wrecking yard.

The other option I had was a hole new aftermarket radiator for $630 but the dimensions where marginally different to the one in my car. The backing plate holds the core and seals to the tank measures 365 x 50 mm. The replacement one that they had measure only 345 x 47 mm and was said to be for a 626/mx6.

Can anyone say for sure whether this might cause a problem with mounting and if the 626/telstar/probe use the same radiator?

Would be interested in hearing from Mr Mx6, a fellow WA boy, if he has any leads in WA. Im a newbie to WA.

 

[Mr. MX6]

I had to replace my expansion tank as well . I got a new genuine one, I do remember it being expensive.. . .
I got a radiator from abbots of the shelf B4 as well .. It had brass end tanks as you can’t get replacement plastic ones for the MX6…
But having said that if you only require the expansion tank tell me the name of the wrecker and I can check it out for you..
Or...
how bad is the crack/leak.? .have you tried plugging it with one of those kneed it compounds? ( it is a 2 pac sort of thing, selys make it.. you can get it in bunnings)

 

[rolli]

Just a point on the two part sealing compounds...

they dont work very well on plastic. I know this from personal experience, when my top tank formed a crack, they coolant leaked straight passed it.

Spanner, give radiator masters (in stack street fremantle) a call. they replaced my top tank with a new one, they should be able to do the same for your lower tank.

good luck.

 

[Doze]

Just a point on the two part sealing compounds...

they dont work very well on plastic. I know this from personal experience, when my top tank formed a crack, they coolant leaked straight passed it.

Titan Bond works, this from experience, with 2 cracks in the top tank, sealed one up completely and not the other, out of luck or was that bad luck??, but i applied it when it was wet cause it seals under water as well, but anyways, i drove for a while with a small leak with the radiator cap undone to the first nothc so it's still on but loose, just check ur water every morning. Otherwise bite tha bullet like i did, cept i got a second hand one cheap, and get it fixed. Nothing like being strandard somewhere

 

[Guest]

Radiator Warehouse
15 Pilcher St Enfield NSW 2136
ph: (02) 9742 3433 Motor Radiator Services

This place is in Sydney, for a Gen2 they cost around $275. They supply the them to quite a few mazda dealers in sydney, he showed me the invoices for them. They even threw in the coolant for free, concentrated mix it yourself stuff, came out of a 44gal drum, but hey it was FREE.

Took me about 2 hours to do it myself. Fairly straight forward, pair of pliers, pair of vice grips (to hold hose clamps open), 12 mm spanner and 19 mm spanner if I remember correctly (it was 18 months ago). Undo the hoses, top botls, botton bolts, take off the 2 fans, take of the ATX pipes, pull the radiator up and out. The hardpart was actually getting it back in, you really need two pairs of hands, one pair to hold all the bits out of the way 2nd to insert the radiator.

In the Gen2 it is actually a side tank but the theory is the same.

Trev

 

[Mr. MX6]

I think he is talking about the expansion tank rather than the end (top/bottom) tank..

 

[Guest]

No it is actually the left tank of my radiator. The crack is just under where the top hose comes in. It was a bit confusing for me too when the mechanic referred to it as the top tank. Sounds as if the radiator in the Gen 1 is orientated a the other way from what some of you are saying. Sounds like they arent plastic like the Gen 2.

If only I had have found it myself I prabably would have definitely had a go at it myself. Its in the shop and the radiator was already out of it at hais radiator mans shop where he was sourcing a new one.

Decided to go for the easiest option and just let them fit the aftermarket one. I think it is about $600. Less stress knowing that it is done right and saves me a lot of stuffing around. They probably would have charged me anyway for the remove and refit of the old radiator anyway.

Some good leads here will help someone else when it happens. Might follow a few of them for interests sake.

 

[Guest]

Just for those who are curious, the expansion tank, is about $150-200 from Mazda. Mines broken the over flow hose, but haven't gotten around to replacing it yet.

Trev