marinerblue92

So I recently picked up an 04 MSM with 115,000 miles (got it pretty cheap), but the guy I bought it from said that it started overheating the last time he drove it back in Sept. When I got it back to my house I looked over everything, and let her idle for around 20 mins and it was fine... but when I took her out for a test drive, she started overheating like 5 miles from my house. I figure since I got it for cheaper than I had saved, I'll spend the money and just get a rad, hoses, and maybe some fans.

I've been looking into everything, but i'm new to the MSM game... my question comes down to this: can i use a radiator that's made for a regular 05 mx-5?? I really like a few that are made for it but don't want to buy anything before i find this out.. any help would be appreciated!!

Faeflora

iTrader: (2)

When u say "test drive" do u mean like ladedah cruise at 60mph or do you mean 20 minutes of WOT??

Problem might not be ur radiator...

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Is the radiator broken or defective in any way? Simply replacing it wont do jack **** unless its broken somehow which it doesn't sound like it is.
Is all the ducting in place? Is the undertray on?
How long ago was the water pump/timing belt done?
Post some pics and provide more info.
Don't just start throwing new parts at it.

marinerblue92

Well it was ladedah mostly, with 1 40-80 pull, but nothing too harsh. It was still kind of snowy out so i didn't want to go too hard. I have a feeling that one of the hoses might have a crack in it and/or the tstat but since it's got high miles and an overheating issue, I figure i might as well just do the whole cooling system since I have the extra cash.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Cheap things that are likely causes:

1: Radiator cap

2: Thermostat

Expensive things that are not likely causes:

1: Radiator

2: "whole cooling system"

18psi

iTrader: (76)

A new nb replacement rad can be had for 60 bux shipped with lifetime warrantee these days

Faeflora

iTrader: (2)

May as well swap out the stock turbo system too since you have the extra cash.

And do the timing belt. And water pump.

marinerblue92

Timing belt/water pump were done at 90,000 miles forgot to mention that. The guy said he tried replacing the rad cap with one from Advanced Auto, so I might try that and changing the tstat before I redo the whole cooling system now that you guys bring all that up. Especially since it's cheap and will likely need it anyways. I'll update once I see if that helps.

fooger03

iTrader: (2)

Not sure I would replace a MSM radiator with a standard NB radiator if they're different.

If the MSM radiator is different, the purpose is to compensate for the extra heat that the turbo engine produces.

I would also check your coolant to make sure it's not 100% antifreeze.

You live in philadelphia, a radiator that is 50% blocked shouldn't be giving you issues right now. Look inside the "mouth" of the car and make sure there arent a couple dead possums wedged up in there.

After your car has cooled down, see if the radiator hoses want to collapse.

Have you opened the radiator yet to see if it is even full?

Faeflora

iTrader: (2)

If you want to buy my used OEM radiator I'll sell it you you for fiddy dolla

chokeasphyxia

iTrader: (8)

I've seen quite a few stock radiators crack near the base of the filler neck, either way I'd probably swap the rad out with an all metal one. Mishimoto's are cheap.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

I was surprised to learn that they are. The MSM got P/N BP8J-15-200A, which is different from both the standard (BP4W-15-200A) or the automatic (BP6H-15-200). All use the same cap from '04 onwards, and the **** appears to be the same for all NBs.


That said, while I still haven't seen anything here which suggests that the radiator needs replacing, I can't see any reason why if one was to replace it, they wouldn't go with one of the various inexpensive all-aluminum models available from Mishimoto or Koyo.

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...ml?id=p2XJcWZQ

http://949racing.com/koyo-radiator-miata-nb.aspx

Is it necessary? Maybe, maybe not. But it's cheap insurance if you're in there anyway, same as replacing a perfectly good water pump simply because you happen to have the timing belt off already.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

wat

The_Joker

+1 on the potential for a crack around the filler neck. If I was to replace the radiator, I'd go with an all aluminum one over plastic.

marinerblue92

yeah it definitely was a crack around the filler neck. I couldn't see it, but my buddy whose a mechanic checked it out for me.. he's keeping it at his shop for now until i can decide which rad to go with. I'd love to hear from anyone with an msm or nb-t that's using the mishimoto, or any other.. and like some of you said, i'm definitely going to go with an aluminum rad.. buying a plastic one just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

chokeasphyxia

iTrader: (8)

I had a Koyo on my last car (that I bought when I found a crack in my stock rad), this car came with PWR, I've been happy with both, but they're pretty pricey. If I was shopping for one right now I'd go with one of the Chinese copy's: Mishimoto/CXRacing/Godspeed. Unless you're building a race car, in which case I'd get TSE.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

P/N NF01-15-203, "****" is the same on all NB radiatorss regardless of year, including the MSMs.