Cooling system problems? Could use expert opinions!
Discussion
Had the water pump replaced on my MX-5 earlier in the year to cure a leak.
Ever since then there has frequently been a smell of coolant about the car. It hasn't concerned me too much as it doesn't seem to be losing coolant. At most the level has gone from max-min over several months.
Today was sitting in traffic, very hot day. Engine temp rock solid in middle of guage. Parked up and could hear fizzing under the bonnet. Popped it, and it seemed to be coming from the top-up tank. Level was max (sure it was just above min when I checked on Sun). Bonnet was too hot to hold and burned finger - but car is black and sun was beating down.
Rad cap new in last year. Haven't checked rad coolant level since but was brimming on Sun.
To sum up, temp guage reads normal, don't seem to be losing much (if any) coolant, but something was very, very hot and I can smell coolant. No obvious leaks or splits.
Help!
Ever since then there has frequently been a smell of coolant about the car. It hasn't concerned me too much as it doesn't seem to be losing coolant. At most the level has gone from max-min over several months.
Today was sitting in traffic, very hot day. Engine temp rock solid in middle of guage. Parked up and could hear fizzing under the bonnet. Popped it, and it seemed to be coming from the top-up tank. Level was max (sure it was just above min when I checked on Sun). Bonnet was too hot to hold and burned finger - but car is black and sun was beating down.
Rad cap new in last year. Haven't checked rad coolant level since but was brimming on Sun.
To sum up, temp guage reads normal, don't seem to be losing much (if any) coolant, but something was very, very hot and I can smell coolant. No obvious leaks or splits.
Help!
Both my mk1s have a coolant smell about them when stopped after a run, I think this is because the cooling system is not sealed. Certainly neither are using any coolant or having any problems, so I think that's just normal. It's not a strong smell though, just a few wafts as you walk around the car.
You can normally spot coolant leaks as they leave behind a white residue - mine leaks slightly from the thermo housing gasket - the thing is caked in white crustiness but it's only lost about a thimble of coolant in 6000 kms - if you've lost loads it should be obvious where it's landed. Have a check around of all the pipes - specifically check those two that go into the heater through the bulkhead and the metal t-piece under the thermo housing.
Check the level under the rad cap also - apparently (accordind to the owners club) you're not supposed to rely upon the expansion tank level as an indication of what's going on.
You can normally spot coolant leaks as they leave behind a white residue - mine leaks slightly from the thermo housing gasket - the thing is caked in white crustiness but it's only lost about a thimble of coolant in 6000 kms - if you've lost loads it should be obvious where it's landed. Have a check around of all the pipes - specifically check those two that go into the heater through the bulkhead and the metal t-piece under the thermo housing.
Check the level under the rad cap also - apparently (accordind to the owners club) you're not supposed to rely upon the expansion tank level as an indication of what's going on.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 3rd June 08:04
The rad would have been removed to change the water pump (did they change the cam-belt at the same time?) so check the top & bottom hoses are not leaking. If it still has the old steel spring-clips on the hoses replace them with jubilee clips - the spring clips don't like being removed/replaced and lose their spring.
NiceCupOfTea said:
I can smell coolant and the coolant in the top up tank is boiling.
If I can smell coolant constantly something ain't right! It has had a brand new genuine Mazda radiator cap within the last 6-12 months.
Have you checked your rad fan is working? If I can smell coolant constantly something ain't right! It has had a brand new genuine Mazda radiator cap within the last 6-12 months.
http://www.miata.net/garage/CoolingSystemProblems....
(I will be doing this on my car tonight as it goes..)
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