New Radiator

[jumper]

Hi everyone,

Had a near disaster last week, after a short run i noticed the the temperature was slightly up and then fan kicked in, i wasnt far from home at this point ant it was all downhill so i coasted home. the header tank was quite hot and starting to steam but the levels were ok. My brother is a mechanic so he had a look yesterday, done the checks on the head gasket and gasses in the coolant and its all fine but discovered a tiny leak in the centre of the rad that has over some time created an airlock somewhere within the block without altering the level in the header tank, also discovered that about a third of the rad is blocked so looks like i need a new rad for christmas.

My question is, iv looked on bongobits and they have genuine bongo rads for £260, or they do a copy for £168 and bongo fury have them for £245 alternatively my brother has a contact in work who could rebuild my existing rad. I`m just curious what others have done as it seems we all have this problem from time to time.

Ian

[You've Been Bongod]

when my rad went on my old bongo i contacted ian taylor @ japcarinport (advertised on bongo fury)

he supplied and fitted a genuine rad plus antifreeze for £260 job done

[Simon Jones]

There are a couple of suppliers on ebay who do genuine Mazda rads for about £140 inc postage. It's a bit fiddly to change & you should take the opportunity to flush & replace the anti-freeze.

[mikexgough]

Done mine in the summer- got it from http://www.mazdabongoshop.co.uk/Shop/Cooling.html exactly the same as OE...
straight forward fit, no modifications needed...... flushed, system and replaced coolant..... while you at it, take this chance and change the Thermostat, worth it for a few extra ££..... Takes about 2 hours start to finish if you can change brake pads... you can do the Radiator......Don't forget to bleed the system well....... take extra time just to be sure and all will be well....

[haydn callow]

Quote...the header tank was quite hot and starting to steam but the levels were ok.

The header tank is supposed to run hot....in fact very hot.....that is normal and nothing to worry about.

[jumper]

Thanks for the replies everyone, iv bought a new rad from a supplier my brother uses at the garage where he works, he called them for a quote and they new exactly the type because they have supplied dozens of radiators to bongo owners this year, the cost was £145, iv ordered a new top engine drivers side hose as well as the original has distorted slightly and will be swapping them over between xmas and new year.

He has an interesting way of refilling the system, he has a Snap-On pump that connects to the header tank and the top radiator cap. its a vacuum pump that sucks all the air out of the system then refills under high pressure, its been used a few times, takes a few minutes and never had any airlock problems.

Merry Xmas

Ian

[mister munkey]

Stunning news!!

What is this contraption of which you speak called?

Any more info???

[missfixit70]

This has been discussed on here before several times & by all accounts seems to be an easy way to do it if you've got the kit. Try a search on "vacuum and filling"

[jumper]

I can find out more technical details for anyone who is interested, im just a lowly carpenter and dont understand such things, but i will ask the questions.

Ian

[mobilecat]

Adrian at Japan Direct in Bury did my new radiator a few months back. I can't remmeber exactly how much it was because there were some other bits and bobs too but I think it was just over £200 or thereabouts invluding fitting and sorting.