Mazda 3 on Vacation

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14

I would replace the hoses if I were you. Some cars have basically fake temp gauges but I'm not sure about the 3.

tsx_guy · Postby **tsx_guy** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14

RX-7 Chris wrote:I would replace the hoses if I were you. Some cars have basically fake temp gauges but I'm not sure about the 3.

seriously? fake gauges? (FUuuuuu)

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14

Mazda hasn't put "real" linearized temp gauges in cars for decades. Even my FD has a fake coolant temp gauge, it's parked in the same spot from 140*F to 220*F! That's stupid.

One way to tell for a faulty thermostat is to get on the highway...if your temps drop quickly and fluctuate heavily then you more than likely have a bad one. If it's only partly failed then you basically have to replace it to really tell.

I would do a full coolant flush and also replace your hoses AND clamps at the same time. You could do the thermostat as well just to be safe, they generally aren't too expensive, just can be time consuming to get to depending on where your water pump outlet is located.

As far as coolant just get some Prestone 50/50 premixed coolant, dump the whole jug in there and cut it with a little distilled water. I always also add Redline Water Wetter, it reduces waters surface tension so your pump has less resistance working against it and the water can transfer temperature easier.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14

Fuuuuuuuu...

I didn't want to touch the thermostat...Oh well... That's something I'll probably get SCR to do.

Dave, do you know where I can get aftermarket radiator hoses and clamps for Mazdas?

Hschlick84 · Postby **Hschlick84** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14

I think on the 2nd gen 3, there is just a red and blue light for the thermostat. Maybe that's on the 2011, but I know the 2010 it lights up if the engine gets hot. Not that it's important to me, but having an accurate read out is better.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14

That's how my wife's Impreza is. Doesn't even have a temp gauge. It just shows a blue water temp symbol when it's cold and a red one if it's hot. In between you have no idea where it's at.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14

bellalyssa wrote:Fuuuuuuuu...

I didn't want to touch the thermostat...Oh well... That's something I'll probably get SCR to do.

Dave, do you know where I can get aftermarket radiator hoses and clamps for Mazdas?

I don't think the thermostat is a must...just a kind of "while you're in there" job.

As far as hoses, you can just get them off EBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-Radiator-Hose-04-06-Mazda-3-2-2L-2-3L-Black-/170595686119?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27b84b96e7

OBX is pretty decent, afterall it's rather difficult to screw up a set of preformed silicone hoses. But just to be sure I would thoroughly inspect them before installing them (as with any hose/part). They have black, red and blue that I found.

Learjet45 · Postby **Learjet45** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:14

chickenwafer wrote:I don't think the thermostat is a must...just a kind of "while you're in there" job.

A busted thermostat can cause coolant to circulate improperly and cause the engine to overheat.

I did drive with a busted thermostat for about 3500 miles if not more, but I don't know if I would call it a "while you're in there" kind of job.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:14

I'm while aware of what a thermostat does...why would you not call it a "while you're in there job"? Do you understand what I meant by that?

She's already flushing her coolant system and replacing radiator hoses, thus the coolant will be drained and access to the thermostat will be easier. I've replaced enough thermostats myself to know what type of job it is.

My greater point was I don't believe she even has a "busted" thermostat...a thermostat can only fail open or closed, meaning your engine either overheats or coolant temperatures aren't stable. She has none of these.

Learjet45 · Postby **Learjet45** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:14

chickenwafer wrote:I'm while aware of what a thermostat does...why would you not call it a "while you're in there job"? Do you understand what I meant by that?

She's already flushing her coolant system and replacing radiator hoses, thus the coolant will be drained and access to the thermostat will be easier. I've replaced enough thermostats myself to know what type of job it is.

My greater point was I don't believe she even has a "busted" thermostat...a thermostat can only fail open or closed, meaning your engine either overheats or coolant temperatures aren't stable. She has none of these.

It's the Internet. Things can be interpreted in multiple ways. I took that as more of a "well don't worry about it until you do something else because it doesn't really matter". Probably just me, but hey, what are you gonna do?

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:14

How's your heater working with the warmer temps, Lyssa? Once it got back up into the 20s and 30s I actually started to get some heat out of my Miata again, hehe.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:14

It's gotten a bit better, but not much. I'm ordering the thermostat today as well as the radiator hoses.

chickenwafer · Postby **chickenwafer** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:14

Cool, let me know if you need any help when you get the stuff in

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 9:14

chickenwafer wrote:Cool, let me know if you need any help when you get the stuff in

Will do! Thank you!

I'll also be picking up my last motor mount from Erod next Saturday

I'm very very excited about having a full set.

bellalyssa · Postby **bellalyssa** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:14

Anyone know where to get speed bleeders for the Mazda 3? I found the stainless steel braided brake lines but I'd like to throw speed bleeders on there if they aren't too expensive.

Mazda 3 on Vacation

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