How do you take out a 1997 Mazda miata radiator?

Answer 1

To remove and competely replace the radiator takes about 90 minutes. These steps are similar for all 1990-2005 Miatas:

Tools

• Bucket to catch coolant
• New Coolant (and distilled water if required)
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Socket set
• Pliers to squeeze and remove hose clamps
• Ramps or Jackstands

Steps

1. Work on the car when the engine and coolant is cool
2. Raise the car on ramps or jackstands
3. Remove the plastic crossover air pipe for space. You can completely remove it by loosening the clamps, and then removing it.
   1. Open coolant cap
   2. Underneath the car is the plastic splash pan. There is an oval hole about 2.5" long. This is where the plastic, radiator drain cap is located. Use a large, Phillips head screwdriver to remove it. Warning, these tend to strip easily, purchasing an inexpensive, new drain cock may be needed.
   3. Next to the oval hole is a small "U"-shaped door, held by a small Phillips head screw. Remove the screw, and open the plastic door. This allows you access to the lower radiator hose. Use the pliers to remove the lower radiator hose clamp, then remove the hose.
   4. You may choose to wiggle/squeeze the lower hose a bit towards the engine to get the last bits of fluid out
4. Drain coolant
5. At the top of the engine, remove the upper radiator hose clamp, and remove the hose.
6. Remove the wire harnesses for each of the fans. Each fan is connected by a wire harness, you press in the small tab and remove them.
7. Each fan is connected by a few 10mm bolts at the top. There is also a difficult bolts at the bottom - one in the middle will include a bracket that holds some A/C lines. Remove these, and you should be able to pull the fans up, carefully avoiding damage to the cooling fins.
8. Once the fans are removed, look down at the engine bay, at the bottom center of the radiator.
9. Remove the top, black metal radiator brackets by removing the nuts on the chassis, and they will come right off.
10. You should now be able to remove the radiator.