MX5 NA Miata - How to perform a coolant flush
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- čas přidán 27. 04. 2017
- I was working on a video about replacing the thermostat and I thought it would be a good idea to combine that with a coolant flush! In this how to video I will explaining how to perform a complete coolant flush!
A big discussion is which coolant is the best for your Miata and there are so many conflicting answers so I encourage you to do your own research and draw your own conclusion what is best for your car. It also depends on where you live and how you use your car.
MX5 NA Miata - How to replace your thermostat:
» • MX5 NA Miata - How to ...
Things you will need:
» Wheel blocks
» Jack
» Jack stands
» Spare wheels (optional)
» Drain pan or bucket
» Phillips head screwdriver
» Gloves (optional)
» Socket wrench
» Socket extension
» 10mm socket
» Hot water
» Old rag
» Distilled water
» Radiator flush (goo.gl/DeLoNV)
» Funnel
» Soda bottle (optional)
» Old jugs (optional)
» Plastic cups (optional)
» 6 liter or 6.3 quarts of coolant / antifreeze (goo.gl/5f3ICu)
Music I used:
» Ryan Little - Two-Step ( • Ryan Little - Two-Step... )
Follow me:
» Website: www.MiataMods.net
» CZcams: / miatamods
» Instagram: / miatamodsnl
» Facebook: / miatamods
» Twitter: / miatamods
» Google+: plus.google.com/+MiataMods
★ If you liked this video please like and subscribe guys! ★ - Auta a dopravní prostředky
As a huge ChrisFix fan, this is awesome. Great job man, I'm planning on doing a coolant flush on my mx5 today.
Cool man, thanks for watching and I hope that the cooling flush was a success!
Thank you for such great videos! I just bought my Miata and it’s been very informative watching your videos! Years later and these videos are still teaching 🎉
Hey man, love your channel and your videos. Thanks for taking the time to make these. Very helpful!
Simply the best Miata flush tutorial around! Thanks a lot kind Sir!
Thank you for the kind words sir!
my flat mate just bought a 1991 miata today! these little cars kick ass!
Thanks! First time doing this and I’m excited to see someone doing a complete flush
No problem!
Thank you
Your time and effort is very much appreciated here in the UK from a MK 1 lover.
What I like most is your videos are clear, direct and simple to follow... professional.
Thanks man, I really appreciate it 👍
This is pretty much a straight forward job but once again, I find really useful to have a reference video to review the procedure. Thank you!
No problem, glad you enjoyed the video!
This was a great video, good production values and very helpful. Thanks!
Thanks man!
Just did a flush today, with this videos help! Also, the thermostat video was very helpful. I ended up boiling the thermostat just to make sure that wasn't the issue, since mine was overheating. But a thermostat gasket, and a flush later was all I needed. Thanks!
your photography is beautiful and your work is faboulous... please continue making these...
Thank you so much for the kind words! I will!
Fantastic explanation! Just picked up my mk1 Eunos on Monday and had a lot of o overflow. Further inspection the coolant looks like it's been in there a long time. Will be using this video tomorrow!
Cool! Was it a success?
hey man thanks for such an in-depth video :) i am new to cars and was able to flush mine out as well as replace a lot of the hoses as they were in bad shape
thank you, im really anal about making sure i can collect enough information before doing my own diy maintenance jobs , your video had enough info for me to collect notes about what and how to do things.
Well thanks man, I know that feeling. I love anal too!
@@MiataMods 🤣😂🤣😂
Your videos are so helpful. Please keep doing what your doing. 💯
Thanks for the kind words! I will ☺️
I watched a video of yours earlier tonight and here I am a couple hours later going through them all. I don't drive a Miata but my wife does. I do all the work on it so your videos are very helpful. Very well shot and to the point.
Thanks for the videos, from Canada.
Thanks a lot Bruce! It’s nice to hear that my videos contribute to the Miata community!
Never thought of buying one for yourself? 😉
Well, thanks for making them. Eventually I'd like to get a Miata for myself if the right deal comes along. Great little cars.
They are indeed! 😊
This is such an informative, well-made video. Cheers!
Thanks 😁
Brilliant video; practical, accurate, entertaining
Thank you Wei 😄
Great video, thank you for putting it together. Two suggestions- SPF 50 and bleed the cooling system after your flush and refill with a spill free funnel kit. Thanks again, great work!
Hahahaha SPF50
Very thorough again. Thanks for all the minor details :)
No problem! I just want to give the viewers all the necessary information so they can do this job by themselves. Thanks for watching!
very informative and helpful, especially the value of multiple flushes!
Thanks for the response!
Thanks to you and your video, I was able to perform this flush without a hitch. Thank you, sir. It did, however, take me four flushes to clear the system of contaminates. I don't think it had ever been done before.
Good to hear my video was helpful!
i have a question. After the 1st flush do you need to add the flush mixture again as well as distilled water or just the distilled water until it comes out clear.
Hey James, after your first run it’s fine to only use distilled water!
Good job! This was very well done =)
Thanks guys! Congrats on hitting 2k, you guys really deserve it! 👍
Thank you!! btw I just messaged you on Facebook
Thx man heeft echt geholpen maak alsjeblieft nog meer van dit soort video's
Well done clear concise video, but your garage is intimidating too neat and clean. Thank you.
Hahaha thanks!
The heater core flushes out even if you don't turn on the heater in the miata, there is no valve blocking the flow when the heat is turned off. It is good advice for some other cars though. Great videos! You should keep them coming more regularly!
I've been told by numerous people but thanks for sharing that piece of info! 💪 I got a busy life but making these videos bring me a lot of joy so I try to make as much as possible!
Very comprehensive and useful
Thanks Phil!
Thanks, I'm getting my NA Miata next week. Planning an oil change, transmission fluid change, diff fluid change, shifter rebuild, and coolant flush. Anything I'm forgetting? Car has 180k miles, 1994 1.8l model.
I suggest checking and replacing the clutch slave cylinder, clutch mater cylinder and brake master cylinder. And of course flush the clutch and brake fluid in the process. Check your accessory belts and replace as needed.
Good vid, Ty. Jealous of your clean garage!!!
No problem sir, glad I could help! Thank you, I try to keep it as clean and organized as possible!
simple and easy to follow
Great to hear my friend
great video and step by step instructions that make it foolproof. I am ready to do this so this has been extremely helpful.
Great to hear! Good luck! 👍
Very good and professional
Thanks!
Great tips. Thank you
No problem!
I really like your steering wheel by the way, looks great in the car.
Thanks! I'm still not sure if I like the yellow.. maybe a steering wheel with red in it will look better so it matches the color of the car! 🤷♂️
Maybe, but I love the yellow!
Very useful thx ! ♡
Great to hear!
Great content, thank you man. I just want more videos of How To...
I uploaded a few the past few months and a lot more are coming!
GREAT SUCCESS!
Dat Borad reference tho
Great Video!
Ive just done the same, but my system on my 1994 Eunos automatic only seems to want to take 5 litres of the new coolant! any suggestions?? :) PS- i have run the heater core and had it a running temp, also installed a new thermostat (that i tested) 🤨
If you really want to get your overflow reservoir clean, unbolt it, add some long-grain rice and water and shake vigorously. Mine was all stained and rusty on the inside. After this, it was as clean as new. Make sure you flush out all the rice afterward. :-)
That's a good tip, thanks for sharing!
Another awesome how to video! So well done. By the color of that OEM radiator, I have a feeling a radiator replacement video is in your future :)
Haha you are correct Sean, good eye! I will be replacing that radiator for a nice big shiny aluminum one in the near future! I'll be making a how-to video on that subject too, off course :) Thanks for watching!
Thank you!!
No problem man ☺️
Thanks!!
No worries mate 💪
Very helpful video buddy, informative and easy to follow, even for a mechanical idiot like me!
Haha well thanks man 👍
i just bought a miata last week and i've been binging all of your videos, why'd you stop making them!?
Welcome to the club and thanks for watching my videos, I hope you've enjoyed them! I stopped because of some personal stuff but don't worry, I will be making more videos next year! I really miss making videos..
@@MiataMods you a beast bro, can't wait til you come back
Hi, when you do the second flash, do you still put radiator flush again? Or just put in destilled water? Thanks.
Good explenation!
Thanks man 👍
@@MiataMods I've done the flush! Also thanks to your explenation :) made a vlog about it
Coolant flows through the heater core on NA and NB miatas regardless of what your heater is set to, unless UK miatas are different from US ones. There is no valve that stops or starts coolant flow through the heater core.
You are correct
Hey, great video and i wanted to do a coolant flush on my mx5, after 4 flush water is still deep brown like the first flush, what can i do ?
I wouldn't know any other solution than to keep flushing to be honest
Where did you get your cup holders? Thanks
What is the right size screwdriver for the plastic radiator bolt?
awesome
Thanks bro
Thankyou that's a job l must do
Yes you should, it's really good for your car!
Excellent step by step video with explanations for every step! Was just told during inspection that my coolant is dirty! Cost to have dealer replace it $140.00! I ll do it myself for 1/4 the cost . Thanks again for the video!
No problem Tony! It's always nice to hear that my video was helpful 👍
Handy to know! Awesome, btw do you record this with a GoPro?
No, I've had a few bad experiences with GoPro, especially with the sound quality. That's why I'm now using the GoPro killer; Sony's FDR-X3000R. It has Balanced Optical SteadyShot (B.O.SS) stabilisation which gives you a very steady video and it has a stereo mic at the front so when you are talking to the camera the sound is really good, in contrast to a GoPro.
Super helpful! I have a spec Miata and I think the heater core is bypassed. It’s also not street legal lol. How would you recommend modifying the approach to a coolant flush in this case? Would getting the car up to temp in the driveway be enough in between flushes? I’m trying to understand how important it is to drive the car and have the heater on, both of which I cannot do. Thanks
Hi there! My buddy also has a spec Miata with the same configuration. You do not need to drive it, just let it get up to temperature in your driveway. Give it enough time tho to fully warm up. If your fan switches on you know it’s at operating temperature. Rev it a few times so the waterpump does its job. No need to “enable” the heater core as it has been bypassed already. Good luck!
@@MiataMods cool, appreciate the response 👍
Great video did you say it takes 6 litres to fill the system back after flushing?
Yep, 6 liter or 6.3 quarts of coolant / antifreeze. Check out the video description for more info!
thx man
No problem buddy 👍
uhh and caan't wait for the radiator replacement video mine has almost a brown green color :D
When you drain the distilled water after the flushes won't there still be water in the heater core that won't drain because it can't pass the thermostat or whatever..? Or is it such a little amount or something that it won't matter if you add a 50/50 coolant mix?
Yes you have nothing to worry about, it will not effect the 50/50 mixture too much
Thank you! Great vids btw
Do you only put the temperature up (when it's on operation temperature) or also the fanspeed to max?
No only operation temperature, because then the thermostat opens and coolant starts flowing
Can i drive around with just the Coolant flush/water mixture for a few days
Yeah that’s fine, as long as it’s not freezing
Should I still do a flush if I’m installing a new radiator? I would def flush out the overflow tank.
I would do a flush for sure when installing a new radiator!
Great video! But the flush is actually so annoying since I need to repeat the same job so many times!
Yeah it’s annoying, but very good for your cooling system!
Thanks for making these videos! Quick question, the coolant reservoir did you fill it with water or coolant? I bought my Miata some months ago and noticed my coolant reservoir is completely dry.
Still it passed the APK not long before I bought the car.
Do you want an answer in Dutch or English? 😜
@@MiataMods Either way is fine thank you very much!
@@MiataMods Watched the video once more and it seems for the flushing you put some distilled water and finally 100% coolant thanks for making these videos! I bought the same coolant as shown in the video but I have been advised to mix it with distilled water 50/50 so if you don't mind I'll go ahead and do that 🙂
Good job . Any plan on putting turbo or supercharger on your car :D ?
Yes, eventually I will go turbo for sure! The end goal is to go over the 300hp mark but that will take years.. but that's the whole idea of my channel, to film every step of the way, all the way to my end goal :) Thanks for watching!
If you cleaning da overflow revoir you can put rice or sand in it and shake it up it scours the inside debris away but make sure to get it all out. I could not see coolant level before doing this now I can.
More videos please
I can do the same procedure to my NB?
It's roughly the same, yes
HOWdy M-M,
THANKS
COOP
...
No problem Coop!
Did it today with a new aluminium radiator
What jack stands do you have? They seem really nice, and I see everyone using them, but can't really find them anywhere. Anyway, awesome video man, going to do a flush tomorrow!
Thanks! Yeah they’re nothing special, just jack stands from a local shop
Dont u need to take thermostat out to flush out engine block too? Nice video
Nope, when the engine is at operating temperature the thermostat will open and the coolant will flush out the block as well
Once i saw a vídeo of a brazilian guy Who used sand and salt and water, inside of the reservoir and it shaked a bit and all the rust got way, also the reservoir did get white again... I tried on mine and it worked very good, but be carefull for those Who do this, make sure you clean very good cuz you dont want sand on you water system lmao... Besides that works better than a lot of cleaning products, Jet water, Hot water, i tried them all.
That’s a great tip Rafael, thanks for sharing!
Dumb question but what coolant is recommended for NA Miata’s?
That depends on what is available in your area but I would recommend “the green stuff” or to be exact “ethylene glycol mixed with distilled water”. Do a proper flush while you’re at it and make sure the coolant you buy is suitable for aluminum engine blocks
Hello! Just a quick thought, i flush the original coolant (really brown...) but only 4 liters came out. I refilled with cleaner and water and only 4 liters get in. After that i did another flush and yet only 4 liters came out... Strange isn't ? (I did not jacked the car so the radiator cap is not above the thermostat) Any ideas? Thanks!
That's weird.. sounds like your cooling system is clogged.. Maybe your heater core? Does you get nice and hot air out of the heater core?
MiataMods hot air 100%, i dismantle all interior for cleaning these days and i umount the heater core for cleaning. The car is running good, not overheating or else.. tomorrow i will do another flush before change all hoses..
Haha that's really weird! Aftermarket radiator maybe with a smaller volume? Good idea of doing the flush before changing the hoses!
Why lift only the front of the car? Wouldn’t that prevent some of the coolant from being drained?
So that the air can escape. Jacking up only the front of the car makes your radiator cap the highest point in the cooling system.
Where did you get the rubber disc you use on your jack?
That’s just a hockey puck 😅
MiataMods oh ok😂
Wat was het oranje lampje dat brandde tijdens de rit??
Achterruitverwarming van mn hardtop
Is there a specific reason you use distilled water and not just waterhose water?
I figure since its only gonna be in there an hour or less (for me) tap water would be fine?
If you're going to flush the engine you could use regular tap water but to be honest distilled water is pretty cheap, like a few bucks. Tap water can create rust within your cooling system so I would just not risk it just to save a few bucks.
What if my heater has been bypassed? bought my car like that
What would you like to know? How to reconnect your heater again?
MiataMods dang forgot about this comment but i've revisited your channel and subbed. What I want to know is, is the procedure the same to flush if the heater core has been bypassed? Aka the hoses are gone and replaced woth stubs. My car has no heat but does have AC. Well, when I just turn on the fan/blower it is of course warm because the engine is gonna get to operating temperature. Idk if I can get a good flow going for a successful coolant flush
You got multiple routes circulating the cooling system so even with the heater core blocked you can still do a proper flush
Great video! Do I have to lift the car up to drain all the fluid?
No that is not necessary, but I jacked the car up to reach the bottom side of the radiator and put a drain pan underneath. If you have a different way to drain the fluid, that's fine too ☺️
MiataMods Okey, thanks!
What if I don’t have access to or heat bc I did a delete
Doesn't matter, it flows through the engine and heater core no matter what, you don't have to adjust the heating
@@MiataMods soudns good thank you
ive only ran water in my cooling system, is that bad?
You mean like tap water? Yeah I would not recommend doing that because that will create rust. If you don't want to use coolant, use distilled water. If you live somewhere where it freezes during the winter, you need proper coolant (antifreeze) to stop the coolant from freezing
@@MiataMods its distilled water
@@-Wraith That's fine, as long as you don't experience sub-zero temperatures
Nice video...why not remove the overflow vase?
I've read and heard multiple stories of people having cooling problems after removing the overflow reservoir. Coolant expands an contracts as you use the car so I needs a place to go. If you do not have a overflow reservoir you will lose some coolant every time it expands (when it gets hot). After a while the coolant system will hold less coolant which can lead to cooling problems. I will however relocate my reservoir at some point but I would not recommend removing the overflow reservoir completely.
MiataMods yeah but the overflow does not come back again into the radiator, that’s why I was thinking about remove it. Please share more vids, the quality is awesome and exactly what miata users need ;)
Well that's where you are wrong because it does come back into the radiator :) It's a bit hard to explain, but when the coolant cools down you get some negative pressure which will draw a bit of coolant back into the the cooling system via the hose that runs from the overflow reservoir to the radiator. If you don't believe me, keep a good eye on the amount of coolant that is in the overflow reservoir. Sometimes it's a bit higher and sometimes a bit lower. It needs the overflow reservoir to function properly. Also, in my country, you are not allowed on a track if you do not have a overflow reservoir because without a overflow reservoir you may leak coolant on track. If you hate the look of the overflow reservoir, go for a stealth look: Buy a small overflow reservoir and mount that behind your front bumper so you can't see it.
Idk...looks impossible, seems like a way so people dnt leave them leecking into the ground, i have a 75´car with almost the same radiator and the overflow goes into the ground and thats it...and the level is always ok...its a Opel Kadett C GTE 2000 ;)
Your car, your choice. I wouldn't risk it tho..
Is your operating temp at about 12 o'clock? Mine's a bit more to the right, but it doesn't seem to get any hotter even when driving at 7k rpms. Haven't tested in the summer yet, but is this bad if mine is more like 13.30 o'clock? The symbol behind the needle is barely visible on the right side of the needle
M4NOOB I have read about similar cases on a Miata forum and in most cases it was a faulty sensor or gauge, so your engine is probably not overheating. Maybe a coolant flush will fix the problem? ☺️
I already have some maintenance planned. Originally I was planning to just change the coolant, but after your video my coolant plan changed :) Don't know when I will do it since I need the space and a friend that has the experience, since I want to learn.
Planned is the following:
timing belt + idler and tensioner pulley + tensioner spring, woodruff key and the bolt (short nose crank) and the crank seal, waterpump, valve cover gasket, air- oil- and petrolfilter, spark plugs + wires, engine oilchange, coolant flush
I think I listed everything.
Do you recommend anything else? I already changed my alternator and power steering belt in december.
M4NOOB No, that's pretty much it for a big maintenance job! Water pump is a really good one! Eventually I need to do this things too but I first need to do some research on how to do this haha.. good luck!
Thanks for the offer man! I will keep you posted :) Yeah I know that video, the Car Passion Channel rocks!!
Yeah Greg is really putting out nice videos. Will you be at JapFest this sunday in Zandvoort? Btw are your wheels Japan Racing JR11? If so, what width and what offset do you run? Did you have to modify your fenders?
Sag mal...bist du deutsch? Hab grad destilliertes Wasser gelesen und war ganz perplex :D
Nein, ich bin from Holland ☺️🇳🇱
you do not need to turn the heater on. the heater control just operates a flap that lets the heat throught the ducts. the coolant always flows through the heatercore.
Yes you are right! Thanks for sharing that piece of info!
Reupload?
No it's not, but it shares some shots that are in my 'replace the thermostat' video too. I've shot these two video's at the same time, so I might look like a reupload but it's not :)
did you say 50 minute drive or 15 minute?
15 minute drive
I think it’s funny when people put the blower on full when working on the cooling systems on Miatas. There is no need to do so.
Wat als de heater niet werkt?
Ik neem aan dat je bedoeld dat je geen warme lucht krijgt zodra je de heater aan zet? Laat je motor opwarmen, zet je heater op volle snelheid en helemaal warm. Laat dat vervolgens een paar minuten gaan. Wat is dan de temperatuur van je heater slangen in je motorruim? Ik bedoel dan de twee slangen die naast elkaar zitten en naar je heater core lopen.
MiataMods wordt helemaal niet warm. Pas na een minuut of 20 krijg je een beetje warmte van de motorruimte maar warm is anders
En de motor zelf komt wel netjes op temperatuur?
MiataMods ja die komt netjes op temperatuur.
Wat voor auto heb je? MX of Miata? NA, NB?
Ha ha!
" Coolant has a sweet taste, so animals WILL drink it and die"!
Is that the literal translation from Dutch? Surely you have a more subtle way of putting it? 😆👍
Nothing subtle of animals dying 🤷♂️
@@MiataMods True.... I love animals too.
Your professionally produced videos have been very helpful and entertaining, so thanks!
I see you've stopped 11 months ago. Is that because you've done virtually all you need to do now?
If not, I hope you return. I understand, life gets in the way.
My best wishes!
Did you say drive around for 15 minutes or 50 minutes? My hearing is not the best..
Haha sorry, 15 minutes!
@@MiataMods thanks! Will be doing this job soon on mine, thanks for the video and clarification. :)
MiataMods what if your if don’t have heating core ?
It really isn't necessary to run the heater to flush the heater core. The heater core in an NA Miata is permanently in the coolant circuit and always has coolant flowing through it whether the heater is running or not. This is why you can't just block off the heater hoses if you want to do a heater core bypass. All running the heater does is blow air past the core and into the passenger compartment. It just turns on the fan and opens the right baffle in the ventilation system.
Yes you are right! Thanks for sharing that piece of info!
is this the case for the nb as well?
@@troyster143 yes, the NB has a slight different core, but uses the same basic system.
why distilled water can you use just water .
less minerals
My first time lifting my car I used the oil pan luckily it was fine 😂💀
The heater controls have absolutely no effect on the cooling system. Coolant flows through the heater core at all times, regardless of the heater controls.
Are you sure about it? I've noticed coolant levels dropping when using heat in mine, so I was guessing that coolant doesn't flow in it, unless turned on
6 liters of water too, for flush?Sorry for bad english
A lot more because you fill and drain the system multiple times. Lets say you want to flush the system three times; I would go for 20 liters of water. You can't overfill the system so don't worry you will add too much water.
But the front wheels are up in the air, you aren't going to get all of it out.
Je engels is goed maar het accent :-)
Dank je hahaha
@@MiataMods Veel succes met je MX-5, wij hebben ene uit 2000 (NB), groene kleur, 2 kleurig interieur, houten Nardi stuur en pook , beige tellers en metalen dak, als tweedehands hadden we geluk dat het zo'n "British looking" versie was. Naast onze oerbetrtouwbare Honda's is dit qua rijplezier binnen menselijk budget absoluut NIET te kloppen.. Groeten ui t B elgië.
Klinkt goed! Groetjes terug!