NA water inlet fix

So my '91 miata has been stuck at my parent's over the winter as it lost all its coolant on a trip to visit. They live 3 hours away from me. This makes it difficult to work on.

After a new waterpump, timing belt, seals and all new hoses I got it buttoned up and found a new leak (or second leak)....

This:

leaking here:

That is not dirt, it is a pin hole leak.

Living 3 hours away from this disaster gives me time to plan things out. Obviously I did not do a good job.

I ordered a scrap unit from FM for $10, it isn't delivered yet as I ordered a suspension kit (in addition) which has some parts on back-order...

I do not want to spend the near $100 for a new one ala GRM fix! I think I'm over $300 in costs for hoses pump/belt etc already....

That gives me 3 options, help me decide!

Option A) wait for the used unit from FM and bolt it on. Worry every day it will spring a leak in the same place.

Option B) Use JB weld. I have been happy with JB weld repairs in coolant systems in the past, its all about clean parts and proper prep.

Option C) yank/drill out the steel elbow, tap the housing for npt, and put a 90^ 0.25" barbed fitting.

The only reason I haven't jumped on C is that it will rule out option B. The reason I haven't jumped on option B is although the JB weld will do a good job of plugging the hole, is the metal thin enough to spring a new leak elsewhere?

Help me decide!

Thanks, Mike

You've met us right?
Option D) LSX swap

SnowMongoose wrote: You've met us right? Option D) LSX swap

I have a '12 challenger I DD for adequate thrust. I really enjoy the 1.6 for what it is.

I've used JB Weld with success on that part. Use the 24 hour stuff, not the "Qwik" - it's stronger. It'll hold at least until the salvage part arrives.

It its pinholed in one spot its thin in others, drill it out.

c and the repair will outlast the engine

Have FM ship the part separate and sooner than the suspension?

Option C when you get the used part and then install it on the engine.

Then repair the original the same way and sell the "improved" part to get some of your money back...

Drive with confidence...

I'd JB Weld it for now, and keep the spare part handy for when it starts leaking again. Of course, having the spare means it probably will never leak again.

what's that nipple for? if it's not important to the proper functioning of the cooling system and does something stupid like send hot water to the throttle body, then cut it iff right where the pinhole is, fill it full of JB Weld, and pinch/roll it shut tight with a vise grip.. jam a bolt in the now useless hose and clamp it down.

there ya go- problem solved..

Keep the nipple :)

Could probably solder or silver-solder it.

JB weld, then when that dries and cures, put some tape around it for good measure.

Can you just push the hose over the top of the leak and add a second clamp?

Keith Tanner wrote: Keep the nipple :)

I will admit I have no idea how the miata coolant system works stock, but it does, so I'm not about to mess with it. I have heard it is important. Perhaps more of a steam vent than a TB coolant hose, but who knows..

I decided to put in a brass fitting, when I attempted to remove the stock nipple it disintegrated around the pin hole. It was very thin in that area.

JB weld or solder would just repair the hole, the entire area was thinned.

This is why I was hesitant about waiting from the scrap one from FM, it could be a ticking time bomb too.

I believe the fitting is closer to 5/16 than 1/4, but the metric hose fits, and I had the correct NPT drill and tap.

I even used red lock tite!

As the brass elbow sticks out less than the stock steel line, the (new!) rubber hose is closer to the bracket. I covered it with a split old hose to prevent rubbing. Cutting the line off before the bend would have caused similar problems, there is very little room to run that hose between the block and belts.

The genous before me must have re-used a crush washer for the oil drain, I had to use a 1/2" breaker bar and a rubber mallet to get the plug out. At least it is not stripped.

And done! just in time for sun!

There should be a little metal bracket attached to one of the timing belt cover bolts that holds that hose in place. FYI.

Keith Tanner wrote: There should be a little metal bracket attached to one of the timing belt cover bolts that holds that hose in place. FYI.

Thanks!

I had forgot where the bracket came off, and ended.up using it on the passenger side.

Good catch, ill swap it back, thanks again!