Coolant cap

[agroupuk]

Hi all,

Quick question.

I topped up the coolant in the car about 5 days ago. Been running fine - didnt drive it sunday but went to work this morning.
All ok - no issues with heat (i have a pfc and commander).

Went to the car to go home tonight and started her up. Sounded fine, 5 seconds later coolant light and alarm come on.

Big panic.

Went to tesco\'s in a mates car and bought 5 litres of premixed coolant and then got dropped off back in the car park at work.

Went to put the coolant in and BINGO! no coolant cap.
I am guessing that its blown or come off somehow because I cannot see how I could be driving it for 4 days without the alarm coming on.

Anyway - bottom line is - does anyone have the product code for Mazda to supply another cap? is it a standard cap or do I need something with specific psi rating (or whatever the rating system is lol - newbie that I am)

Any help apreciated as I had to leave the car in the car park and will call into Mazda on the way to work.

Also on refilling the coolant system can I do it just through the coolant cap or do I have to do anything else? I am asking because in pretty much retarded when it comes to engines. (I have a WGT Stainless Steel AST tank if that makes any difference)

Oh and lastly, how much damage can i have done if the coolant buzzer never came on or the pfc showed temp under 85 when i parked her?

Thanks guys

Edd

[RAW]

sounds like the engine will be ok-you did the right thing and sorted it out as soon as the light came on. phone mazda for a replacement cap-but make sure it is the lower pressure one. the original one was 1.3 bar i think but there was a recall at some point in the 90s and they were replaced with a lower one.

[kermit]

Hi Edd, hows the car been?  Like RAW said, you did the right thing by stopping as soon as the buzzer and light came on.  Get a new 0.9 bar cap.  The offical mazda one is best.  Just refill the system from the main filler location.  The AST is self leveling so will sort itself out.

Martin.

[Warthog]

The cap you want is 0.9 ONLY THAT ONE. They recalled the 1.3 cap as it KILLED engines. Make sure you go in and look at there micro fish with them and YOU point out the filler neck cap so they get the correct cap. Or go to a scrapy and get one off a car yourself.
Please do not mess about with this advice your engine is at risk if you do.:Ladys-man

[Jono FD3]

Mine is running a 0.9 bar cap on the AST tank..... the one on the engine shouldn\'t have a pressure rating as this is just the filling point !!! the water overflow to the expansion tank is part of the AST system!!

Jono

[RemarkLima]

Mine is running a 0.9 bar cap on the AST tank..... the one on the engine shouldn\'t have a pressure rating as this is just the filling point !!! the water overflow to the expansion tank is part of the AST system!!

Jono

I thought it was supposed to be the other way round? A solid cap on the AST and the .9 bar pressure cap on the refill point???

[Warthog]

0.9 bar on the refill point------------end of.:cheers

[banned advertiser]

here
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/New_3rd_gen_engine_perf_tuning.html

[FD3UK]

Just to confirm, Jono is right the .9 pressure cap must be fitted to the AST. The refill point by the alternator is a non pressure cap.


Kev

[Warthog]

Just to confirm, Jono is right the .9 pressure cap must be fitted to the AST. The refill point by the alternator is a non pressure cap.


Kev

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

The AST is the flat thin cap and is solid. The Filler point is the upright tube with the water pump pully below it and the coolant sensor coming out of the front. That cap is 0.9 and is a pressure cap that you push down, twist and it locks in place.  Common mistake.:Thumbs-up

[RAW]

i have a pressure cap on my ast too-re:works and tvmot have seen it and never said anything-it is as per the diagram ^^^^

[FD3UK]

Sorry John, but you are incorrect. The expansion tank is connected to the AST and the pressure cap allows excess pressure from the cooling system to flow to and from it.


Kev

[agroupuk]

Ok thanks guys

I spoke to Pip at WGT - he confirmed its not the pressure cap - its just a cap

Anyhow, had no end of trouble locating one this morning. Had to get a local motor factors to find one. Going to pick it up now for the bargain price of £4.

If it looks dodgy (coz thats cheap) then I will order a different one online I think as the distance to dealers even prepared to look was growing ridiculously (stupid, stupid unhelpful mazda dealers !)

Cheers all (and Kermit - the car is fine hehe - getting HID lights in it tomorrow - if i can move the car)

thanks again

Edd

[ro284]

Sorry John, but you are incorrect. The expansion tank is connected to the AST and the pressure cap allows excess pressure from the cooling system to flow to and from it.

Kev is right on this one, solid cap on engine filler, Pressure cap on AST, 0.9.
However my Alloy AST came from a very reputable supplier complete with a 1.3 Pressure cap! 2 years ago, no probs, but would you all change it for a 0.9? if it were your car!
Cheers Bob

[RAW]

mine still has a 1.3 cap too-need to get it changed asap.