What did you do to your MX5 today ?

[Pops]

Good honest dust, shows where treatment is needed. You’ve got great results for the effort involved

[TOM 5252]

Yes, so far it looks like £50 well spent, and was easy to do.

[Steve]

Looks great!

I actually taxed my car yesterday so its back on the road Went to cars n coffee in Galway for a bit, then a few miles on back roads in the sun, nice.
That shakedown shows I need a new exhaust manifold gasket, new belts (just old), timing belt is also due, brakes bled and oil + coolant replaced (for starters )

*edit*
Just ordered a few things to do the above from MX5Heaven :
Timing Belt Kit, Water Pump, Cam Cover Gasket & CAS O'Ring
Alternator Ribbed Belt & Power Steering / Non-Air Con Belt
Oil Filter & Sump Washer
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Gasket

[Pops]

That’ll keep you busy for a while, I’ve a timing light if you’re looking to set it after doing the belt

[Steve]

oh great, thanks! I'll def take you up on that.
I found some other issues last night, I've some boost/vac leaks that need to be sorted and need to replace the heater hoses at rear of the engine, they've gone very hard. I've silicone replacements in the shed I'll throw on.
Also, I need to revisit some wiring I did in 2002... my knock sensor has gone from being "dead" to being over sensitive so I've timing being pulled all over the place in the first few mins of driving.

[mrges]

Yes, so far it looks like £50 well spent, and was easy to do.

Certainly looks that way. A definite benefit of a good cleaning then waxing/coating is how easily dirt comes off when washed (and how easy it is to dry).


Your car looks great.

[mrges]

[quote="Steve"]I actually taxed my car yesterday so its back on the road Went to cars n coffee in Galway for a bit, then a few miles on back roads in the sun, nice./quote]


Sounds like one of those trips where it all seems worthwhile having a MX5.


I think I should be replacing the belts too - the alternator belt looks a tad hard and brittle, and not sure how long ago the cam belt was done. It's something I've never tackled before, and don't think I'd have the cajones to try it (I'm quite confident I'd feck it up!).

[Steve]

Might be doing the timing belt on the 22nd (weather dependent) if you or anyone else wants to tag along...

Got started today with changing the exhaust manifold gasket. Its tricky getting in around the runners to get all the bolts/nuts. Worst one is on the downpipe, can't see it so have to do by feel, a couple of degrees turn at a time (see circled bolt).
Got it back together yesterday eve, boost back up around 11psi, 'tis flyin'.
This morning I could hear the "tick tick tick" of a leak when the engine was cold, found one bolt had loosened a little, will keep an eye on it.

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The leak

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Then decided to tighten the alternator belt...

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That worked out well...
After I'd removed the broken bolt I ran a thread tap through it, def needed it and I think this is the reason it snapped. Had a bolt that fit so back on the road.

[Steve]

the bolt that was loosening has stopped loosening, so thats good. I swopped out another stud above it as the nut was frozen on it and wouldn't tighten down fully. Robert supplied a couple of studs to try (thanks again to both him and Bleunos for getting them to me). Thats in now, it was still ticking a bit... so I tighten it up a bit and felt it go loose... GAH Thats probably the threads mangled in the head now. Am disgusted lol Had to walk away from it... not driven it in a few days now.
Plan of action is to remove the manifold (again) and have it decked in August. I've a feeling its warped a bit over the years from the heat. At the same time I'll look at putting a heilcoil into that hole or something similar.

[Steve]

Washed it and went driving (finally )!

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[Pops]

Looking good, if you’re going to be driving in fields yo might consider the lift kit that Andrew did

Site won’t let me add smileys

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[93 Mk1]

I think that's the first time that I've seen the car Steve - looks grand and clean ! What is that front bumper ? Did you do the turbo conversion yourself ?
What suspension is fitted ?

[Steve]

Ha Pops! No, I reversed in

Its clean looking from this distance (its a good 20footer ) but it badly needs a respray. The bumper is made by Bomex, it came on the car when imported/bought in '99. I managed to crack it (again!!) on a curb when parking about 20 mins after this photo... gah... forgot about it.
Yep, did turbo conversion in 2003, its pretty straight forward.
Suspension is kyb adjustable shocks and koni springs, I've had all sorts of combinations in the past very happy with this setup.

[Juan]

planning to go uo to glendalough this evening, from naas. any joining? leaving Naas at 19 approx

[Steve]

Nice! I'm on the other side of the country unfortunately

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