Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground.10. Fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of water and anti-freeze. Start the engine and allow it to run for several minutes with the radiator cap off to bleed out any air in the cooling system.
Engine overheating is primarily the result of a damaged or broken radiator. A poorly functioning radiator can cause extensive and costly damage to the engine if not repaired immediately. You should flush the radiator regularly as part of your Mazda's scheduled maintenance to help prevent failure and prolong the life of your radiator. Replacing the radiator in your Mazda 626 is a fairly easy repair to make.
Instructions
Radiator Removal
1. Disconnect both the positive and negative battery cables using a socket wrench. Raise the front end of the Mazda with a floor jack. Lower the car onto two jack stands.
2. Slide under the front end of the vehicle to access the drain plug located on the bottom of the radiator. Place a bucket directly under the drain plug to capture the coolant. Remove the radiator cap by hand.
3. Loosen the plug to drain the coolant using a socket wrench. Fill the bucket, tighten the plug and transfer the coolant to an environmentally friendly container. Repeat this step until the radiator is completely emptied.
4. Detach the large clamp located on the radiator end of the upper radiator hose by squeezing it together using channel-lock pliers. Take off the hose by hand (twisting as you pull) and move it aside. Remove the other end connected to the thermostat for better clearance if necessary. Disconnect the hose leading to the cooling reservoir tank. Remove the lower radiator hose using the channel-lock pliers.
5. Disconnect the cooling fan electrical connections. The cooling fan and radiator shroud (safety cover) can remain attached to the radiator during the removal
6. Remove the upper and lower radiator mounting bolts using a socket wrench. Lift out the entire radiator and attached cooling fan unit from the engine compartment.
Radiator Installation
7. Disassemble the cooling fan and shroud unit from the old radiator using a wrench and connect it to the new radiator. Install the radiator unit in the engine compartment and secure it using the mounting bolts.
8. Reattach the upper, lower and cooling reserve hoses and secure with the clamps by squeezing with pliers. Using a socket, reconnect the battery cables and plug in the cooling fan electrical connections.
9. Raise the vehicle using the floor jack.The radiator is a bottom line bite of your vehicle's cooling action.Your Mazda's radiator is one of the most considerable parts of the cooling system. The radiator is responsible for managing the engine temperature and preventing the vehicle from overheating.
Replace the radiator cap by hand and check for leaks.
11. Return the used radiator to the store where you purchased the replacement. Most auto part stores will give you a small refund (core exchange) for the old radiator and proof of purchase. Also, some auto retailers will accept and dispose of the used radiator coolant, if delivered in a proper container.
