Mk 2 1.8is radiator - solved

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: __Mk 2 1.8 is (2000)
  2. I’m based near: __Lampeter
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Used parts
    Not sure this is the right forum, but I’ll give t a try - Today, in storm Agnes, I had the great misfortune to have a wind-blown branch go straight through my radiator and fan. Are such item available secondhand anywhere and, if not, where’s the best place to look for replacement parts ?
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Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I would give the guys at Mazdadudes a ring

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Thanks Dave, who are “Mazdadudes” ?

Follow-up question - is replacing a radiator a job a decrepit 76 year old (me) could do at home, or would it best be left to a garage ?

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Morning Bob,
Sorry to hear about your incident you could also try MX 5 Heaven and MX5 City plus the MX5 Restorer who Im sure can provide assistance.
Whilst its shutting the door after the horse hss bolted, Id get a mesh grill fitted to the air scoop aperture its the first thing I did on my 1999 Mk2.
Regards
Nic

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Thanks Nic, but I’m not sure a grill would have helped, this branch was 10 feet long and 3 inches in diameter !

Next problem - the garage I usually use will only fit parts sourced by themselves, so no owners-club discounts etc. I might add that their response was such that they’ve now become the garage I used to use…

Does anyone know of a garage (or mobile repairer) in the Lampeter area who’d fit this stuff for me ?

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Further questions.

  1. I may as well get the parts ordered, am I likely to want anything in addition to a radiator, two hoses and a fan to facilitate this repair ?

eta: and coolant, of course.

  1. There are a lot of youtube videos on changing MX5 radiators but, as with all things youtube, you can never be quite sure how good they are. Can someone recommend to me a known accurate youtube video on radiator replacement for a year-2000 1.8 IS, please ?
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PM sent

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And here’s what an MX5 radiator looks like after sudden intimate contact with a wind-blown 10 ft branch at 20 mph…

radiator_1
radiator_11040×766 183 KB

radiator_2
radiator_21150×430 121 KB

I can’t find any other substantial damage, but the fan mounting is broken and, although the fan appears to have survived I think I’ll replace as it looks somewhat battered. Everything else seems OK, but I won’t really know until it’s running again.

Question 1 - is there any lubricant I can put on the radiator connectors or inside the hose-ends to make refitting them as easy as possible ?

Question 2 - what’s the correct coolant/antifreeze ?

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Anything “ethylene glycol based”.

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When i was in the trade we used washing up liqued. Just a smear on the radiator side.

1 Like
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Replacement radiator delivered, wish me luck for fitting it tomorrow ! :crossed_fingers:

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Good luck. Let me know if you need a hand

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All fixed and running again, actually much easier than I expected. My grateful thanks to DaveB63 for his help and encouragement, and to Andy of Mazdadudes for sending me the right parts next-day at a very reasonable price. All just in time for a sunny roof-down weekend !

2 Likes
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Glad to hear you are back on the road. Happy to be of help

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Hi Bob,
Glad you got sorted and are now back on the road.
Regards
Nic