Mazda know best?

mp3oplecarrier · Post by **mp3oplecarrier** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 4:22 pm

I've just found out why Mazda fit those awkward blooming hose clips rather than jubilees

I must have done it up too tight and broken an inch off the radiator outlet. I can't believe they made that out of plastic and that's going to cost me a radiator!

Steve

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:13 pm

I think you will find most radiators have metal cores and plastic tops/bottoms these days.
Is there no way you can reshape the stub thats left or put a sleeve inside and bodge?? Must be someway round it.

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:21 pm

You could try getting a piece of plastic pipe to fit inside the stub, use that to locate the broken piece and then stick the whole lot together with Araldite.

If you can't get exactly the right size get the next size up and split it lengthwise, gradually take plastic off the side of the split with a Stanley knife until when you squeeze it together, it just fits inside the stub.
The outward pressure from the spring of the plastic pipe will help hold it all together.

Then take it all apart, clean and roughen the outside of the pipe and the inside of the stub with emery paper and then smother inside of stub and outside of pipe with Araldite before reassembling the whole lot and binding it with gaffer tape to hold it together while it sets.

All you need to do afterwards is sand the outside smooth again and maybe, to play safe use, a bit of silicone sealant when you refit the hose.

mp3oplecarrier · Post by **mp3oplecarrier** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:10 am

Or I could just buy a new one.....

I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... IF:GB:1123

I have to say I am impressed so far, next day delivery to my place of work and it is actually all metal with no stupid plastic pipes or tabs sticking out of it. I didn't manage to fit it tonight but I got the old one out at only the cost of most of the skin off my knuckles and oil from my gearbox!

Steve

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:13 am

Wow - good find mp3..........I wonder if they found a batch of these in the Arc

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:47 am

I got a rad from those guys mp3. It arrived damaged, and although i didn't ring them until 4pm that day, they still had a perfect replacement delivered the next day and collected the damaged one.

I fitted it with no problems and it's been fine, so I'd recommend them for good price, good quality and good service.

Rob

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:21 pm

Do you have a Marston Radiators near you? I think they are countrywide?? If so I am sure they could firt a new header & recon it for you.

ijlines · Post by **ijlines** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:45 pm

Question.
How do you get the hose clips on and off? Is there a spefic tool for that?

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:10 pm

You can buy proper tools for them (cable operated remote clamps) but I make do with a selection of pliers and grips. They are a pain though and I have thought of investing in the proper tool.

MountainGoat · Post by **MountainGoat** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:15 pm

The tools required for each job are illustrated in the Mazda Bongo Friendee Service Manual.

Ok for those with the knowhow and the dosh.

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:13 pm

I am afraid there is indeed a special tool for these clips...and guess what...it costs about £70 and works a treat every time with none of the slipping and sliding that you get with pliers! In the absence of a fat wallet pliers will do, but they may slip and slide :0

Jubilie clips have a big failing in that their clamping surface is not circular which distorts the hoses. If you must use them it is good practice to use two of them with the screw area bulges placed 180 degrees apart.

Lancia went one better on their Fulvia and used beautiful stainless steel band clamps that worked a principle a bit like those keys on sardine tins.

I bet you didn't need to know that.

Rog

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:22 pm

Rog wrote: Lancia went one better on their Fulvia and used beautiful stainless steel band clamps that worked a principle a bit like those keys on sardine tins.

I bet you didn't need to know that.

Rog

Just about all "Fiats" use those or the ratchet ones that close like a double sided cable tie.

It is the difference between cars that are designed and made by engineers and those designed and made by accountants.