Radiator info

[Growler]

Can someone tell me if there is a difference between the 1.6 and 1.8 series 1 radiators?
They have different part numbers at Mazda etc.
I'm hoping that the 1.8 has an extra row etc.
Secondly does anyone have an electric fan from a 1.6 for sale?
I'm after the engine one...not the a/c one.
(If you are facing the engine with the bonnet up it's the one on the right hand side).

Growler.

[poison]

“Can someone tell me if there is a difference between the 1.6 and 1.8 series 1 radiators?”


Yes the 1800 ones are about 50% deeper but still have the same mountings. I got my last one from a wrecker. Don’t be afraid to use one out of an auto, they are the same but just have a little oil cooler pipe at the bottom. I just cut these off.


“Secondly does anyone have an electric fan from a 1.6 for sale?”
The bearings die on these fans after a while, and as you’ve probably found they are really expensive ($300+). I went to Auto point (I think) or any accessory place will do, maybe even super cheap. And I just bought a standard multi fitting electric fan of the same diameter for about $110.00 Much better to buy a new one I think. It’s mountings are slightly different so I just cut off the existing mountings off the fan shroud and the new one just sat in it’s place, with a couple of pop rivets and some epoxy glue. Quite an easy swap. I can send photo’s if you wish. I’m on the shore if you want to come and have a look at craftsmanship as a car butcher J

[Euen]

The auto radiator is definitely "bigger" than the one for a manual, can't comment on the difference between 1.6 and 1.8 though.

I have both fans from a 1.8 if you are interested. Drop me a PM.

Euen

[Growler]

The bearings are OK, it's the fan motor itself.
Testing it on the bench it won't spin by itself unless you help it to get started. Once running it runs slow and only draws around 2 amps.
Hook it direct to a battery and doesn't go at all.
I also checked the fan via the diagnostic box (Using a jumper wire and connecting GND to TFA - turn on the ignition and the fan should run). but didn't work either.

I have over-heating issues every 2 - 3 years. I have put a later model (92' - 93') engine into my 89'. Unfortunately the block had been sitting for a while and I'm constantly getting scale coming off the waterways in the block, and over time it reduces the flow in the radiator.
I have tried several flushes etc and that reduces it but it is still present. I usually get the radiator cleaned and that is fine for a couple of years.
I'm now running almost 100% glycol (Antifreeze) so hopefully that will get rid of whats left.
I thought this was the case again and had everything cleaned...but it has turned out that the fan is the culprit!

Growler.

[zorruno]

on 24/09/2007 6:42 p.m. Growler wrote:

The bearings are OK, it's the fan motor itself.
Testing it on the bench it won't spin by itself unless you help it to
get started. Once running it runs slow and only draws around 2 amps.

Incidentally I had almost the exact same issue on my MX6 a few years
ago. The fan was intermittent - causing occasional overheating that was
hard to explain. It taught me a lot about engine cooling systems in
cars - after I had already spent hundreds on a mechanic who told me
nothing was wrong. Eventually I could get it so I could tap the fan
motor with a hammer and start it running, tap it again and it would
stop...

Glad you found the cause of your problem. I'd seriously recommend an
aftermarket fan as Gazza did. Probably cheaper, and you could likely
find one that flows better.

I did have an overheating problem with my MX5 too a few years ago (slow
cooling system leak), and found that there was a slow leak on the elbow
that comes out of the front of the block (pic attached - elbow is just
to the right of the belt writing). There was a bit of corrosion on the
bend, and vibrations caused a small hole. Apparently it is quite a
common issue.

cheers