HELP: Crooked line in front of radiator?? Anyone elses?

[DARK R3]

Hi everyone

I was looking into my front bumper tonight under where the license plate mounts and I noticed the black line (i think its a freon or coolant line) in front of the bottom of the radiator. The line is extremely crooked, and Im wondering is is supposed to be? One side is about 3 inches higher than the other and it just doesnt look like its supposed to be that way and should be straight? Can anyone confirm?

THank you (nervous)

[oaklandopen]

Can you take a pic? I'll check mine according to your description

[oaklandopen]

not sure if this line is what you're talking about. it's the only one i can think of because you said you looked in through your bumper. what confuses me is it's neither in front of your radiator (it's actually the condensor), nor is it for coolant or freon. i think it's actually for the power steering fluid (that's what it looked like when i attempted to trace it back) but i can't 100% confirm that

either way, if this in fact is the line you're talking about then it should look like this picture. i KNOW im not missing any brackets for it, and i KNOW i haven't been in any kind of collision so it hasn't been moved or broken. so i hope this helps

http://www.imageput.com/hosted/81614dsc_0006.jpg (http://www.imageput.com/)

[Darksun280]

Thats a hard line and its the power steering cooler your fine. All of ours look like that.

[DARK R3]

not sure if this line is what you're talking about. it's the only one i can think of because you said you looked in through your bumper. what confuses me is it's neither in front of your radiator (it's actually the condensor), nor is it for coolant or freon. i think it's actually for the power steering fluid (that's what it looked like when i attempted to trace it back) but i can't 100% confirm that

either way, if this in fact is the line you're talking about then it should look like this picture. i KNOW im not missing any brackets for it, and i KNOW i haven't been in any kind of collision so it hasn't been moved or broken. so i hope this helps




That is indeed the line I was referring to. Mine is definitely different than yours as far as its position. If my car wasnt in a 3ft snow drift right now I could take a picture for you. I dont even recall seeing mine have that U shaped end and coming back across, I only saw one line and it was extremely crooked. The car was in a front end accident before being rebuilt (before I bought it) so Im guessing a bracket is missing to hold that up. Hmmmm....

Thanks for posting the pic, at least I can see how it SHOULD look. I'll get some pics asap.

[Darksun280]

did you buy your car used cause only time thats moved or changed out is if the car had a fmic kit on it

[DARK R3]

did you buy your car used cause only time thats moved or changed out is if the car had a fmic kit on it

I really dont know if it ever had an FMIC on it. Im actually tempted to go dig it out of the snow just to get another look at it and take a pic. It snowed alllllll day and I noticed the crooked line last night and didnt think to take a pic at the time. (shrug) As I said the car was in a front end accident an completely rebuilt but I just think they put something together wrong or something. It runs/drives perfect though.

[DARK R3]

ok I couldnt resist....... I just went outside and HAD to try and get a pic...... and HOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYY SH*TTTTTTTT ITS COLD OUT!!!!!! (like minus 12 wind chill)

Snow is all blowing around and inside the bumper so I couldnt get a clear shot of it since my fingers cant get in there to clear it off but you can see the right side on the line and start to see just how much it angles down as it goes to the left...

Anyone have any idea whats up with this?

http://i40.tinypic.com/2jfac1f.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/5yyv4p.jpg

[DARK R3]

Ok I just photoshopped and enhanced one of the pics to show just exactly where this line is under the snow to give you an idea how crooked it is. Take a look....

http://i39.tinypic.com/2w53u9y.jpg

[DARK R3]

they all look like that. i have one sitting in my living room

They all look like what? Mine is very crooked as the photo shows above, and then there is oakland's pic which shows it being straight. Perhaps the photos I provided dont make it obvious to you but I see a great difference.

[DARK R3]

fyi, oakland's pic shows snow in the grill, not the power steering cooler. from this point on, you start to listen to me, got it?

First off, its not oaklands pic with the snow, its MINE. Have you had too much to drink on new years last night?

Next, look at the first pic posted in this thread BY OAKLAND, his is STRAIGHT. The bottom of yours is angled, thats fine, we are referring to the TOP. My pic and oaklands pic show his being straight and mine being crooked. I cant help but hope youre highly intoxicated right now so I'll give you a day to sober up.

[Darksun280]

yeah yours is sloped to the wrong side. your gonna have to get the snow outta there. Technically is fine even if its sloped ans long as its secured but its your choice to leave it or not.

[J-Villa]

i saw pictures of a Red 3 that got into a head on with a minivan or something a few months ago... I wouldn't be surprised if they resurected it.

But get better pictures. Get a hair dryer out there and heat urself and the snow up with it.

[DARK R3]

i saw pictures of a Red 3 that got into a head on with a minivan or something a few months ago... I wouldn't be surprised if they resurected it.

But get better pictures. Get a hair dryer out there and heat urself and the snow up with it.

Any idea where those pics can be found? Its very possible its the one I bought because it was salvaged and rebuilt.

[DARK R3]

yeah yours is sloped to the wrong side. your gonna have to get the snow outta there. Technically is fine even if its sloped ans long as its secured but its your choice to leave it or not.

Yea I gotta wait for the snow to get out of there so I can get some better pics so you can really see what Im talking about. Its not that the pipe is angled, its the way its mounted thats angled. Its like 2 degrees out right now so I cant exactly go outside and disect it all :'( WINTER SUCKS!

[oaklandopen]

Yea I gotta wait for the snow to get out of there so I can get some better pics so you can really see what Im talking about. Its not that the pipe is angled, its the way its mounted thats angled. Its like 2 degrees out right now so I cant exactly go outside and disect it all :'( WINTER SUCKS!

so...the shape is correct but it's just not parallel to the ground? i would say as long as it's mounted somehow to where it shouldn't have any play, and there are no sharp angles or pinching in the plumbing itself then you should be fine

[DARK R3]

so...the shape is correct but it's just not parallel to the ground? i would say as long as it's mounted somehow to where it shouldn't have any play, and there are no sharp angles or pinching in the plumbing itself then you should be fine

ok, Im going to try and get better pics tonight. It is far from parallel with the ground.

[J-Villa]

if the ice road truckers can do it, you can. Man up and take some pictures... :dodgy:

[DARK R3]

http://i39.tinypic.com/2wqc29c.jpg

[DARK R3]

at last..... snow melted out... and on with the photos. Aside from my lines being ridiculously crooked, I have discovered I also have a random braked pointed out, anyone know what that is supposed to be for?

http://i41.tinypic.com/1zxwmjr.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/25a6a80.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/b8war6.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/23u5vlx.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/25islm1.jpg

[DARK R3]

Where?

[DARK R3]

The amb temp sensor... is for what? Telling you the temp outside?

[phillyb]

in front of the radiator like oaklands. there is a bracket on the driver's side of the power steering cooler, and a place where it attaches to...

[phillyb]

The amb temp sensor... is for what? Telling you the temp outside?

yeah. idk if sports have them. idk if you have sport or not. but on the head unit, there is a display for the temp. and there should be a button next to your rear defrost button that says amb to display this information

[DARK R3]

yeah. idk if sports have them. idk if you have sport or not. but on the head unit, there is a display for the temp. and there should be a button next to your rear defrost button that says amb to display this information

Yea, I got an AMB button, when I hit it, it reads ---

Im guessing when they fixed the car they didnt put it back or replace it.

I do see the bracket on the drivers side thats not attached I will assume the passenger side is not bolted on either... since that is the lower side of the 2.

[phillyb]

word the fuck up!
if this is the first time taking off the bumper, this is what you do...
turn the wheels to get in the wheel well. un-screw those clips, 2 or 3 if i recall correctly, reach in the fender and undo the bolt that's in there. repeat for the other side.
pop the hood and undo the clips, 6 if i recall correctly. and the two phillips head screws.
now you will need to undo the undertray. there's about 13-14 phillips head screws there as well. and one st00pid fucking clip that doesn't come undone unless you rip the shit off.
now pop the bumper from the sides off of the fenders. grab it from the front and pull. there are still clips holding the shit in, soooooooo, you'll have to lift up a bit to get it off of those clips.
now, undo your fog lights.
now get that shit off of there, fix your power steering cooler and repeat steps to get your car back to normal.

[DARK R3]

word the fuck up!
if this is the first time taking off the bumper, this is what you do...
turn the wheels to get in the wheel well. un-screw those clips, 2 or 3 if i recall correctly, reach in the fender and undo the bolt that's in there. repeat for the other side.
pop the hood and undo the clips, 6 if i recall correctly. and the two phillips head screws.
now you will need to undo the undertray. there's about 13-14 phillips head screws there as well. and one st00pid fucking clip that doesn't come undone unless you rip the shit off.
now pop the bumper from the sides off of the fenders. grab it from the front and pull. there are still clips holding the shit in, soooooooo, you'll have to lift up a bit to get it off of those clips.
now, undo your fog lights.
now get that shit off of there, fix your power steering cooler and repeat steps to get your car back to normal.

Ive got the full service manual (wiggle) Thanks

[phillyb]

what are you doing replying...shouldn't you be working on your car?

[DARK R3]

what are you doing replying...shouldn't you be working on your car?

Shouldnt you be hovering in the sky above me with your god like sunrays to melt the snow and warm the temperatures above 8 degrees so I dont go into hypothermia?

[phillyb]

lol

[Darksun280]

if the cars used it had a fmic on it if its not used then it was in a crash the required them to go in there.

[DARK R3]

if the cars used it had a fmic on it if its not used then it was in a crash the required them to go in there.

Im not sure what you mean, I think you typed it wrong.

[DaleNixon]

Fuck it dude if the car works then fuck it.

[DARK R3]

Fuck it dude if the car works then fuck it.

Well I care about my car and all the things I own and dont need trouble down the road. (gtfo)

[DaleNixon]

Hehe sorry man that was an atypical post for me. I've had a few cold carbonated beverages and was feeling frisky. You should see the concerns I come up with for the car!

[madvillian]

jesus dark r3, no offense but you are one paranoid man! i think you need some prozac or something!

[DARK R3]

paranoid? Look... when you see something hanging down in your car that you know shouldnt be, you SHOULD BE concerned. How that makes me paranoid.... well I guess maybe we have a different definition of the word. Id appreciate if you keep the ignorant comments to yourself.

[phillyb]

did you take off your bumper yet?

[DARK R3]

Philly not yet, waiting for a warmer day. At least 40+ degrees.

[GoFast]

Philly not yet, waiting for a warmer day. At least 40+ degrees.


40?! geeeze thats shorts and hawaiian shirt weather!!(loser)

[DARK R3]

40?! geeeze thats shorts and hawaiian shirt weather!!(loser)

(screwy)

[GoFast]

Ha!

[J-Villa]

40?! geeeze thats shorts and hawaiian shirt weather!!(loser)

It's a nice warm sunny 80 degrees here in florida today! (hump)

I might actually go outside in the warm and take pictures of my car to show you whats up w/ ur sensors and shit.

--Jared

EDIT -

Went outside to smoke a quick bowl and took some pictures for you.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/b6f34c9443.jpg
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/2b3a546aea.jpg
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/d8ddf2ce57.jpg
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/23acd3c74c.jpg
It's soo nice today, my EnV2 actually took a decent picture!

EDIT Dos-

Notice the ambient temp. sensor w/ wire and Mazda specific clip. Also use the lines on the radiator as a reference point to look at to notice the angle (or lack there of) of my cooling line. And ignore the road grime, got it this morning driving to school... ugh

[DARK R3]

Jared,

Thank you for the pics, I cant tell you how much I appreciate seeing someone whos willing to go out of their way to help someone else. It seems to be a hard thing to find these days. People coming in here saying "your cars running so F*ck it", just gets under my skin. Thanks again. Im going to go out and take a good look at mine again while I have a little light left. Have a great night man.

[DARK R3]

who cares about light and how much light is left...
who cares about the car running...
i can't believe you've had this information for a week and still haven't taken your bumper off.
i understand your concern, but for someone who's concerned, you aren't doing anything about it.
i wish you were out here man, we would have dropped that shit by now and fixed yo car NINJA

today its 14 degrees.... THATS WHY IM NOT OUTSIDE TAKING MY CAR APART. California doesnt know what winter is apparently.

[phillyb]

we don't have winter. but i used to live in vermont...i know what winter is. and while i wouldn't want to work on my car in 14 degree weather...
nevermind...
at least you have the info you came for

[DARK R3]

we don't have winter. but i used to live in vermont...i know what winter is. and while i wouldn't want to work on my car in 14 degree weather...
nevermind...
at least you have the info you came for

Ok. I dont have ALL the info I an trying to get. I just took some better pics of some stuff and what looks like happened is, whoever rebuilt the car bolted each side of this line into holes they made which are way too low. I found too big holes up higher which look like the bolts should have gone up in them. I will post pics in a few mins and hopefully someone can confirm my theory.

[DARK R3]

Can someone please confirm?? No guessing please.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2e6d184.jpg

[DARK R3]

Also this one?

http://i40.tinypic.com/29mmvcn.jpg

[phillyb]

you know...if that car had an fmic installed, then they removed two big plastic pieces that will probably be important to you and your fix
edit...you posted your pics before i hit reply...you have the brackets

[DARK R3]

you know...if that car had an fmic installed, then they removed two big plastic pieces that will probably be important to you and your fix
edit...you posted your pics before i hit reply...you have the brackets

It didnt have an FMIC. I talked to the body shop the other day to ask since someone mentioned it in this thread

[phillyb]

does it even matter?
it's not like you're going to take the bumper off today
LOL
but yeah, those holes are for your brackets

[phillyb]

It didnt have an FMIC. I talked to the body shop the other day to ask since someone mentioned it in this thread

ahhh...i wonder why they didn't bolt that shit up to the proper holes.

[DARK R3]

does it even matter?
it's not like you're going to take the bumper off today
LOL
but yeah, those holes are for your brackets

Im going to bring it to a friends garage to do.

[phillyb]

GREAT. get that shit done!
move on to the next problem you find with your car.
is the title salvaged?

[DARK R3]

"Salvage Rebuilt" on the title

[phillyb]

word

[DARK R3]

Update: Going to his garage tonight. Ill take all kinds of pics when the bumpers off.

I did notice there should be plastic shields there on the sides. They arent critical though as theyre only splash guards. Someone correct me if Im wrong.

[phillyb]

idk what they are...they get in the way of the fmic...so fuck them.

[J-Villa]

haha this thread is great.

Basicly once it's all said and done dark, you should just save the money and time you'd waste fixing that problem and just get a FMIC. In my eyes, it's a perfectly valid excuse to get one. If I didn't have a warentee and all that other new car b.s. i would do the same

And i understand what you are saying bout cold weather and being paranoid. I suffer from the same symptoms with my car, except I won't work on my car if it's below 50... (I'm warm blooded)

[phillyb]

actually, i agree.
get an fmic and call it a day

[J-Villa]

give up philly. Let the thread R.I.P.

He'll post a new thread in the spring/summer... haha

[DARK R3]

Philly that actually was NOT where the line bolts to. I was missing brackets to mount it properly but its all fixed now. Those holes I circled are for the plastic shields I dont have, not the brackets to hold the line.

Thread can be closed now.

[DARK R3]

C L O S E D

[bbrich57]

As you wish.... http://static.mazdas247.com/buttons/threadclosed.gif