MX5Ireland

Hi,
I'm new on this site and have a red 97 MX5 1.6 (Mk1) whose timing belt just went and bent 6 valves (I think thats what garage said) .
The car prior to this was great. Never let me down. NCT'd in Jan 2012 till 2013 and taxed till Oct 2012. Back window
panel was torn so have replacement to be put in, and also have access to new engine for €300 if anyone else is interested
in it as a project. I just got new brake system put into it in January (calipers very expensive!!) and new manual window mechanisms prior to NCT.
Alloys and tyres good and new battery too. Based in Kilcoole Wicklow. If anyone is interested in this contact me on either
aislingmurphy1@gmail.com or on 087 9290278 and make me an offer. Thanks. Aisling M

Something doesn't add up with what the garage has told you there. If the belt breaks there would be no damage to the valves as it is a non interference engine. Might be worth getting this checked out before you sell it for scrap/parts etc.

HI Aisling

Timing belt breakage on an MX5 is fairly safe, no valves will be bent. The MX5 engine is a non-interference engine.

Just need to fit a new belt, tensioner (and water pump if you want belt and braces job).

If you want to take your car out of that place, since it sounds like they are pulling a fast one on you, I can recommend Atlas in Drumcondra for work.

Cheers
Frank

I agree with what Ash says above - if the timing belt breaks there will be NO damage done to the valves/engine.

As above, they are trying to screw you.............get someone who knows to look at it pet.

+1 on what the lads are saying!

viewed this car today,someone has been at engine alright,cam cover off.

strange thing is the belt is still there on cam wheels,and when engine cranked over every thing goes around?? belt seem to have tension?? some other funny noises though and the odd pop in inlet. no ignitoin leads on so no spark.

lady owner,so garage might be pulling fast one.

made offer,as car quite poor cond,but rejected. parts car only realy

hope she sells anyway

jay

hmmm... CAS?

Car pulled teeth off cam belt , engine turning over but cams not turning , leak down tested engine and no compression , cyl3 inlet manifold was blowing hard with valves "closed" , mx5 engines are meant to be "free wheeling" but engine damage can still occur , same problem can be found with starlet engines 8 out of 10 times a belt will break and no engine damage will be caused but there is always a chance . Garage not trying to pull a fast one .

if it pops it likely to be cam timing or ign timing . Easy fix either way.

Number 3 is not known to blow and I have never ever heard of it going in a 5's engine - even in a Turbo'd car running over 200BHP at the wheels.
Leak down test - I wonder what the other clys were showing.....

If the timing belt has missing teeth then yeah, the belt slipped and the timing is off - If a leak down test was done without replacing the belt and resetting timing to TDC then yeah, incorrect reading on number 3.

That engine could be 100% perfect.

Exactly fergus. Of course its gonna be blowing if the cams dont turn. Needs to be checked with valves closed.