Coolant issue turned bad
#1
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Coolant issue turned bad
Ok so ive had a coolant leak for a week or two, otherwise the car was running fine. The other day I noticed the leak was getting worse. So I took out the battery, battery tray and the air filter box to try and find it. I couldn't find the source of the leak so I put it back together and went for a test drive. It started fine and ran fine. I turned it off and started it again during the test run, which it did just fine. Then I stepped on it and I heard a thud from the engine compartment and all my dash lights came on. (Check engine, oil, parking brake etc) and I lost power. I started it again and was able to get it home.. The leak was much worse when I got back after the run. Please help.. I'm stumped
#2
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
you need to find out where its leaking or whats causing the over heating. did your temp needle on the dash move past the halfway point? its not a gauge but more of a dummy light
#4
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
the needle should always be a little left of center. if you see it move pull over and turn your car off right away. overheating a rotary is very bad. like i said you really need to figure it out before driving it any more. where are you located?
#6
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
you can try posting in the regional forum to ask for hands on help. really need to detirmine where its leaking tho. is coolant low? are your fans turning on? is your rad blocked? any mods we need to know about? history of the car?
#7
Water Foul
Not necessarily. The tolerances on the senders and "gauges" are pretty wide on dummy setups. My normal has always been a little right of center as well.
#11
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
this is the other area suspect.
it is just left of alternator and above oil metering pump. behind the battery..
that is likely where it happened.
the 90deg bend failed first for me. replace all you coolant hoses now before you have to replace your motor. this is a PSA.
beers
it is just left of alternator and above oil metering pump. behind the battery..
that is likely where it happened.
the 90deg bend failed first for me. replace all you coolant hoses now before you have to replace your motor. this is a PSA.
beers
#12
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Thread Starter
That sounds like a likely possibility..
I know this is an awful photo but it's the only one I have saved at the moment. This was awhile ago. You're looking at the front passenger side of my phone noticed this pattering on the bumper
I know this is an awful photo but it's the only one I have saved at the moment. This was awhile ago. You're looking at the front passenger side of my phone noticed this pattering on the bumper
#13
Smoking turbo yay
Another area well known for failure is the coolant bottle. The plastic can weaken after spending all the time hot cycling. The leak looks like it's directly below the bottle as well.
I would get a new bottle(plastic OEM is fine; you could go for an aluminum unit if you have the cash), a new cap, and also check the power steering connector, which is below the coolant bottle overflow to make sure it's not coated in dried coolant. Redirect the overflow tube when you get the new bottle.
What's a little to the right on an S2 gauge?
Kinda hard to tell without tilting your head.
My needle normally sits right below the little ball on the bottom of the water temp symbol when fully warmed up.
I would get a new bottle(plastic OEM is fine; you could go for an aluminum unit if you have the cash), a new cap, and also check the power steering connector, which is below the coolant bottle overflow to make sure it's not coated in dried coolant. Redirect the overflow tube when you get the new bottle.
Kinda hard to tell without tilting your head.
My needle normally sits right below the little ball on the bottom of the water temp symbol when fully warmed up.
#20
RX-Heaven
iTrader: (6)
Nothing stands out to me based on the pics. When you get to the car, snap some pics of where you think its leaking. I have seen the lower hose on these cars start to separate and cause small drips to appear when they become weak. That may be another place to check when you get to the car next.
#21
What am I doing here?
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: 2017 Miata RF Launch Edition
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If you're in the US...
- Got to auto parts store.
- Rent coolant system tester (small hand pump with a bunch of adapters).
- Use rented tester to pressurize coolant system to >= 13 psi.
- Search for leak.
#22
FULLY SEMI AUTOMATIC
iTrader: (9)
op once you figure out the coolant leak clean the oil out of intake tube and clean maf
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