Could be a runner...

[TeenaG]

I'm doing my first triathlon in Kilkenny at the weekend Frank, and the following weekend's the bank holiday. But I'm not turning down an offer like that. If I swung past some evening next week, could you just have a listen to it and see what you think?

[sidewaysreilly]

Have a compression tester here and it may be a good starting point to take a set of readings.

[Fergus]

I'd take Franks advice & let him go take a look
Get some Figrolls as well as I think I heard before that he likes them (I could be wrong though)
This engine is NOT dead like the 'monkeys' are saying.

(edit) bring a timing light and if it's jumping all back and forth then it's the Woodruff Key

[CashelMX5]

I'm doing my first triathlon in Kilkenny at the weekend Frank, and the following weekend's the bank holiday. But I'm not turning down an offer like that. If I swung past some evening next week, could you just have a listen to it and see what you think?

Geez Tina,

Is there no stoppin ya! Best if luck - I tried one once and that was enough for me

[Merlot man]

If the cat's gone, the internals will be rattling and blocking the exhaust resulting in extreme lack of power and all manner of weird noises.

If the air filter is bad, it'll be choking the engine causing starting problems and general driveability issues.

If you want to drop over at the weekend, Teena, I'd be glad to take a look.

That sounds like a great idea ,am I right in saying that a car of that vintage wont need a cat cat bypass pipe from mx5 parts .Makes sense to check simple things first, as we know these engines are very reliable for the most part.
Good luck
Brian

[TeenaG]

If the cat's gone, the internals will be rattling and blocking the exhaust resulting in extreme lack of power and all manner of weird noises.

If the air filter is bad, it'll be choking the engine causing starting problems and general driveability issues.

If you want to drop over at the weekend, Teena, I'd be glad to take a look.

Are you around tomorrow evening Frank?