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Crack in Rad Fill Stem
Posted: October 19th, 2002, 6:02 pm
by Jutzi420
I have a crack in the plastic stem that my rad cap is screwd onto. When I install the new one will I need to use some sort of sealant between the stem and the metal or can i just hand tighten it?
Re: Crack in Rad Fill Stem
Posted: October 20th, 2002, 9:30 am
by vseved
Yes, I am replacing this same plastic thing with a new aluminium one. I bought one yesterday.<BR>Probably they discovered the plastic ones were cracking a lot.
Re: Crack in Rad Fill Stem
Posted: October 20th, 2002, 10:32 am
by Jutzi420
Where can you buy an aluminum one?
Re: Crack in Rad Fill Stem
Posted: October 20th, 2002, 5:13 pm
by mfides
The aluminum part is the standard replacement part. The platic one was mounted in early year models and tends to crack and drip coolant.
Re: Crack in Rad Fill Stem
Posted: October 21st, 2002, 12:51 pm
by vseved
You can find it at your Mazda dealer. <BR>There is a rubber gasket under it (recessed in the housing underneath)which compresses when you tighten it.
Re: Crack in Rad Fill Stem
Posted: October 21st, 2002, 8:24 pm
by voltaire
I've got a '93 GS with the plastic one and I've never had a problem. <P>Hope nobody is putting cold water in through there when the engine is hot!
Re: Crack in Rad Fill Stem
Posted: October 21st, 2002, 9:46 pm
by Jutzi420
I've never even put rad fluid in it when it's hot. I always top it up cold. I think it was a combination of the plastic stem and the fact that my rad cap didn't have a spring loaded valve in it.<BR>I've got a good cap now along with some superglue helpin out the crack on the outside. I should have the aluminum stem tommorow.