coolant leak - 2004 mazda 3 GT

[yuro]

I discovered a small coolant leak on my car. It seems to be leaking from metal T-connector that connects 3 radiator houses (please see my pic)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-18dnNvhXTM8/Ul8xpjz1ZqI/AAAAAAAAGwU/imSQ4LIs0pw/w750/image1.jpg

should be easy to replace if I can source out this part. anyone knows if I can buy metal T-connecter separately?

[JonsMazda]

Check here http://www.rockauto.com/

[yuro]

I'm going to bring this old post back with some updates, just in case if anyone else experiences same problem (most likely)...

So small coolant leak that my car had in October stopped on it's own for entire winter until yesterday. Yesterday I discovered small traces off coolant under my car and i took a look at this stupid T-connector again, it was leaking... Upon closer inspection I decided to take this connecter out of my car and find replacement...

So here are the pics of this rusted connector. I knew early Mazda 3s had shitty metal and rust problems on the outside, I guess all the metal is crap, or Toronto winters are very brutal on any metal parts...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bOcIVKiy0v8/U0Ke4pWrG7I/AAAAAAAAH-A/zMgiZ8hol8s/w750/photo_1_900.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oDi4NsVzuZU/U0Ke4h3XCFI/AAAAAAAAH-I/1kiFscyEVXs/w750/photo_2_900.jpg


Since my car currently sits in the parking lot undrive-able, I need to get replacement today. I was told that Mazda doesn't sell this T-connector separately, they want to charge 200 dollars for set of houses that contains this T-connector. I'm gonna walk to Canadian Tire and see if I can rig some kind of replacement.

[vip3r87]

damn. My 3 has a slight leak too, only noticed it when there was snow on the ground. There would be a drop every 3 feet or so in my driveway. Must inspect this part tomorrow and get more coolant

[orGhatcH]

hey OP, I got the same hose/ T connector assembly replaced this year. It was an entire assembly that runs from left to right of the engine. I believe it connects Thermostat, Throttle body and engine?
It was around $100-120 from Erinmills mazda with TM3 discount. They had to order it because at that time they didn't have it in stock.

[yuro]

I just went to the hardware store that has plumbing section and got T shape pipe adapter and 3 pipe thread to house barb brass adapters.... it's more heavy duty, but way cheaper than paying 100 dollars for the new hose... everything was around 15-20 dollars...

orGhatcH, you are correct... this hose runs from thermostat to heater core and uses T-connecter to separate line that goes to the throttle body...

[vip3r87]

I just went to the hardware store that has plumbing section and got T shape pipe adapter and 3 pipe thread to house barb brass adapters.... it's more heavy duty, but way cheaper than paying 100 dollars for the new hose... everything was around 15-20 dollars...

orGhatcH, you are correct... this hose runs from thermostat to heater core and uses T-connecter to separate line that goes to the throttle body...

Pic of your setup? Sounds like a wicked alternative.

[TheMAN]

it is actually possible to buy the tee connector from mazda, under part number C235-61-225.... it's under $10
you should not use any PVC home plumbing parts, brass is ok though

[yuro]

TheMAN, thank you for the part number, I wish I had it earlier, but I already rigged my homemade connector last night in underground parking, i'm not taking it apart again.... I called Gyro Mazda back in October and even sent them picture of the lines (I didn't take connector out of the car back then) and parts guy told me that he sees what I'm talking about, but they don't sell it... I might order new proper connector when I'm at Mazda dealership.... I agree with you that PVC (plastic connectors) should not be used, only metal ones...

vip3r87, here is the picture of all the parts before they were assembled... I'll get "in-car" picture later on today... my problem was that since I took old connector out of the car, my car was undrivable, so I had to walk around downtown Toronto looking for parts... let me tell you, downtown is not the best place to look for plumbing parts... :) I couldn't fin 2 1/2 inch hose connectors and had to improvise a bit and use different hose clamp. took my car for a quick test drive last night and so far so good, will go on a longer drive today and will take picture of new part installed....

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VUJeNDEJcVs/U0VO8JJgLCI/AAAAAAAAIAE/IDmgF1auzwg/w750/photo_900_3.jpg

[yuro]

here is final product assembled, installed and tested.... no leaks...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SLA2TJwFpLQ/U0aaQq1ClLI/AAAAAAAAIAY/nNm2kz6lLac/w450/photo_900_5.jpg

not a super easy task to do due to location and space issues, but if Mazda doesn't see proper T-connector on it's own, it's a good workaround...