[Miata] 2 questions

[Dennis Swaney]

#1

Here in California we have flexible vinyl road markers that are 3.5 inches wide and about 4 feet tall. You can drive over them and they return upright. Well, I swerved and hit one but it didn't just bend out of the way; it conformed to the shape of the front and slapped the hood. So I now have a 3.5 inch by 14.5 inch rectangular dent in the hood. Should I try DentPro or a regular body shop? The paint isn't cracked on the hood (but it is scuffed on the nose).

#2

My car is 18 years old and I need to replace the heater assembly. Even in the max cold position I still get some heat flow so I know the dampers have deteriorated. Additionally I have a "hot coolant" odor from the vents, but I have no leak evidence. Tommy at Finishline quoted about $500 for a new assembly, which I can't afford for a couple of months. Would a cooling system sealer help slow down possible seepage and eliminate the "hot coolant" odor?

Sincerely,
Dennis B. Swaney