Help! Need advice on cooling system!

[Hawaiiannights]

Ok, what happend was I was driving around yesterday when I notced steam coming out of my engine. When I looked at the temp guage it was reading the maximum "H" reading. I immediately pulled over and opened the hood to find out that a hose was leaking and shooting coolant all over the engine bay.

I don't know how long it was leaking but because of that my radiator was bone dry. Anyway, my question is, I don't know what the hell this hose is that broke.

Its a kinda of a "S" shaped hose that looks like it comes out of the waterpump area on the drivers side of the car, then goes behind the engine block, then goes straight in to the body/firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Is this the heater hose?

Is it necessary? I live in Hawaii so we don't use heaters here, is it possible to just plug it or do I have to replace it?

I went to my local parts store yesterday, to get a replacement but they don't have the exact hose with all the exact bends. Instead they gave me a regular straight hose and send just bend it to fit and it should work. Is this really ok? Or should I go to Mazda and but the actual hose?

your advice is appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Oh I have a 1st Gen 92' Protege

[redfox]

i had the EXACT same problem b4 but the shop here had a replacement hose for me....you might be able to just find some hose the thickness as that 1 and just bend it around to fit, and use some hose clamps on it not thos ****ty stockclip things....

[charles]

You could bypass the heater core by running a tube to the other tube going into the heater core, which comes from the oil cooler.

[Hawaiiannights]

Ok ... So that is the Heater line? And you guys think it'll be ok to just bend the hose? The guy at the store told me they don't make one thats exactly the same, your just supose to bend this one. Oh and yes I did by the screw type O ring clamps..... that hose is a bitch to take out I tell you! Goes behind the engine block and all.....

Any other advice? I'm thinking if it doesn't cost too much to just go and buy the actual hose at Mazda..... the generic one was only $7

[Semtex]

its there for a reason, replace it and get used to it, its a 14yr old car

[charles]

Yeah, actually, I would just buy the right hose... put it on and forget about it...