Yet another one: 1993 Mazda MX-5

Magnet · August 2nd, 2009, 8:08 AM

Well, seems to be a common car on these forums, but I went ahead and bought a weekend driver a week ago.

It's a 1993 Mazda MX-5 NA6. 170,000kms on the clock, and in pretty good shape.

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/08/02/P1010093_1024x768_000.JPG

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/08/02/P1010094_1024x768_000.JPG

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/08/02/P1010095_1024x768.JPG

Still needs a bit of work to be done to it (fluids replaced, radiator replacement), before I can start playing with it properly. There also seemed to be water sloshing around which the previous owner claimed was the petrol tank, but turned out to be blocked drain points. Easily fixed.

It's a hoot to drive though images/smilies/tongue.gif

. There is a reason why these are so popular

Spectre · August 2nd, 2009, 8:23 AM

You must now install an anti-gay bar. images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Zesty · August 2nd, 2009, 8:33 AM

Ahh, congrats, my fave MX-5. Looks in good nick too. The more I look at these the more I get a severe DOWANT urge. Shame I needed something more practical.

I've had that water sloshing issue in my own car within days of getting it. Door drain holes on the drivers' side were clogged with build up from our horrible dirty post-drought rains.

maxtortheone · August 2nd, 2009, 6:46 PM

I really like the MX-5 and yours is a great looking one. Congrats on your new fun car!

Whappeh · August 2nd, 2009, 7:02 PM

How'd you score a RHD version?

jayhawk · August 2nd, 2009, 7:31 PM

^ I can see your confusion, actually. He lives in Perth, Western Australia not Washington State, United States. images/smilies/smile.gif

Magnet · August 3rd, 2009, 6:17 AM

Yeah, we are often forgotten down here images/smilies/tongue.gif

.

Just ordered a replacement radiator and hoses, so hopefully will arrive before the weekend.

Whappeh · August 3rd, 2009, 6:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayhawk

^ I can see your confusion, actually. He lives in Perth, Western Australia not Washington State, United States. images/smilies/smile.gif

I AM NOT AMUSED

Stumpy · August 3rd, 2009, 3:52 PM

Welcome to the Club! images/smilies/cool.gif

..

Magnet · September 5th, 2009, 10:52 AM

Been doing some work on it these past few weeks to fix up a few issues. First one was the blown radiator, which you can see in this photo here.

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010096_1024x768.JPG

New and old radiators - new one is a 42mm Cooling Pro.

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010097_1024x768.JPG

New thermostat too

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010098_1024x768.JPG

Radiator in

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010099_1024x768.JPG

Finally, new hoses, and thermoswitch

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010120_1024x768.JPG

However, following this work, I noticed coolant pissing out of the crank seal, which indicates the water pump is on the way out, so I'm dropping it off to get a new water pump, timing belt and other bits. Finally it should be good as new.

I also did the oils (engine, gearbox and diff) and pulled the plugs. I did a compression test out of interest (and killed my battery in the process) and the cylinders range between 150-165psi. A new one should be around 190psi, but nothing I'm particularly worried about yet.

Next up, I noticed that the shift wasn't great, and there was a bit of heat coming through the console. I also saw the shifter boot was a bit stuffed.

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010113_1024x768.JPG

So out came the console

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010114_1024x768.JPG

And the dust cover

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010115_1024x768.JPG

And the shifter

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010116_1024x768.JPG

Horrid old parts and shiny new ones

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010117_1024x768.JPG

Shifter back in

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010118_1024x768.JPG

New and old boot

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010119_1024x768.JPG

All back together. Mmm smooth.

http://pic.phyrefile.com/m/ma/magnet/2009/09/05/P1010122_1024x768.JPG

frankiess · September 5th, 2009, 1:30 PM

I wanna work on a car like this!! Cool that you're taking care of it.

Just looking at your pictures made me wanna take something apart and fix it. images/smilies/biggrin.gif

jasonof2000 · September 8th, 2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnet

Next up, I noticed that the shift wasn't great, and there was a bit of heat coming through the console. I also saw the shifter boot was a bit stuffed.

That is probably the biggest problem the Miata's have, most Miata's have torn shift boots but most owners don't replace them and in a year or two they will be torn again.
Did you add some new transmission oil to the shift turret while you had it apart?

Magnet · September 8th, 2009, 4:11 AM

Yeah, drained the old oil and put in some leftover Redline I had from the gearbox.

I've just got a remote keyless entry kit I'll be installing next. I've had a look at the car, and it appears that the car originally had a remote locking kit, but for some reason the actuator from the driver's side has been pulled out. The wires are still there. It also goes into an old alarm control box which is no longer hooked up. That's on it way out.

There's other work which I want to do to it (air intake, roll bar, shocks) but I want to drive it first!

Polly · September 8th, 2009, 10:25 AM

Why is there an old cat fur lying on the dashboard?

Magnet · September 8th, 2009, 1:53 PM

It's a dash mat, supposed to protect plastic dashboards from splitting under our million degree sun. It does look like poo though.

Wyvern · September 8th, 2009, 2:01 PM

It's looking good images/smilies/smile.gif

I came so close to buying one of these before I bought Gerald the Herald. It would have been so much less painful if I had images/smilies/lol.gif

Magnet · September 14th, 2009, 4:36 AM

So it now has a new water pump, timing belt and idlers, accessory belts and the rear brake callipers were pulled apart and cleaned up as they seemed to be grabbing a bit. Drives like a charm now.

I also spent the weekend installing a keyless entry kit into the car. I know it's only a two door convertible, but the lock on the driver's side was sticking a bit, and I'm a lazy git. It used to have an old alarm system in it, but for some reason the central locking on the drivers side was missing, and the one on the passenger side was completely seized. It looks like it had a hit in the driver's door at some stage in its life as the plastic weather protector was missing as well.

The driver's door handle stopped working too, which turned out to be a broken spring on the locking mechanism. A trip down to Bunnings sorted that out.

I hooked it all up, soldered a hole in my hand in the process (which didn't really hurt, luckily, as there is a nice charred mark there now), and now have a shiny set of flip keys.

It's been raining non stop here in Perth the past month or so, and I didn't really pay much attention until the fuses in the electric window motors kept blowing. I looked in the doors and there was water everywhere. It turns out the weatherstripping on the doors was so old and warped that there was a 5mm gap between the door and window for water to conveniently flow through. Currently there is duct tape across the windows until the new weatherstripping arrives.

Stumpy · September 17th, 2009, 6:48 PM

Did you get that Leather Shift Boot from www.redlinegoods.com?

If so, that is where I got mine. Great quality.

BTW, great work on your car. Nice to see it in the hands of someone who is going to take care of it! images/smilies/cool.gif

..

jasonof2000 · September 19th, 2009, 1:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumpy

Did you get that Leather Shift Boot from www.redlinegoods.com?

If so, that is where I got mine. Great quality.

BTW, great work on your car. Nice to see it in the hands of someone who is going to take care of it! images/smilies/cool.gif

..

That's where I got mine as well, good quality and I'm very happy with it.

Magnet · September 19th, 2009, 3:10 AM

No, I got mine from the UK. It was only $10, rather than $50, and the quality is great too. Couldn't be happier.

August 2nd, 2009, 8:08 AM	#1
Magnet Joined: Jan 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Perth, WA Age: 28 Posts: 2,604 Car: BMW E46 328Ci, NA6 MX-5 Rep Power: 106	Yet another one: 1993 Mazda MX-5 Well, seems to be a common car on these forums, but I went ahead and bought a weekend driver a week ago. It's a 1993 Mazda MX-5 NA6. 170,000kms on the clock, and in pretty good shape. Still needs a bit of work to be done to it (fluids replaced, radiator replacement), before I can start playing with it properly. There also seemed to be water sloshing around which the previous owner claimed was the petrol tank, but turned out to be blocked drain points. Easily fixed. It's a hoot to drive though . There is a reason why these are so popular __________________ Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round!

August 2nd, 2009, 8:23 AM	#2
Spectre Joined: Feb 1st, 2007 Last Online: 12:08 AM Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 32 Posts: 8,346 Car: 87 XJ6, 95 XJR, 90 WD21, 86 CB700SC, 98 PC800 Rep Power: 191	You must now install an anti-gay bar. __________________ Enough is enough. We are not here to subsidize your clueless business plans or reward your failures. 1986 Honda Nighthawk 700S (project, light restoration in progress) 1987 Jaguar XJ6 Series III Vanden Plas (modified) 1990 Nissan (WD21) Pathfinder SE 4x4 (little red offroad commuter box) 1995 Jaguar (X300) XJR 1998 Honda Pacific Coast PC800 (two-wheeled pickup truck/utility bike)

August 2nd, 2009, 8:33 AM	#3
Zesty Not A Dude Joined: Sep 24th, 2007 Last Online: 12:36 AM Location: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia Age: 23 Posts: 794 Car: 2005 Honda Jazz VTi-S Rep Power: 25	Ahh, congrats, my fave MX-5. Looks in good nick too. The more I look at these the more I get a severe DOWANT urge. Shame I needed something more practical. I've had that water sloshing issue in my own car within days of getting it. Door drain holes on the drivers' side were clogged with build up from our horrible dirty post-drought rains. __________________ *Here be dragons*

August 2nd, 2009, 6:46 PM	#4
maxtortheone Joined: Oct 16th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 1,188 Car: Solar Yellow Driving School Citroen Elise C1 Rep Power: 60	I really like the MX-5 and yours is a great looking one. Congrats on your new fun car! __________________ Speed kills? Maybe, but it doesn’t half thrill as well. - Jeremy Clarkson

August 2nd, 2009, 7:02 PM	#5
Whappeh Joined: Aug 21st, 2006 Last Online: 12:36 AM Location: Orlando, FL/Portland, ME Age: 23 Posts: 1,548 Car: 06 Impreza 2.5i Rep Power: 97	How'd you score a RHD version? __________________ Go White Sox! - Go Arsenal! Travel now, journey infinitely!

August 2nd, 2009, 7:31 PM	#6
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 12:42 AM Location: Aurora, IL. Age: 34 Posts: 6,475 Car: 07 Subaru WRX, 09 VW Tiguan. Rep Power: 234	^ I can see your confusion, actually. He lives in Perth, Western Australia not Washington State, United States. __________________ Instead of attending the circus, I visit Autoblog to see the clowns comment instead.

August 3rd, 2009, 6:17 AM	#7
Magnet Joined: Jan 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Perth, WA Age: 28 Posts: 2,604 Car: BMW E46 328Ci, NA6 MX-5 Rep Power: 106	Yeah, we are often forgotten down here . Just ordered a replacement radiator and hoses, so hopefully will arrive before the weekend. __________________ Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round!

August 3rd, 2009, 3:52 PM	#9
Stumpy Joined: Jun 29th, 2009 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Chicago, US of A Age: 31 Posts: 94 Car: MazdaSpeed Miata Rep Power: 5	Welcome to the Club! .. __________________ 2004 MazdaSpeed Miata: Pics: Mods: Forge Bypass Valve Some of My Photography: Here: (Cars, Girls and Scenic Stuff)

September 5th, 2009, 10:52 AM	#10
Magnet Joined: Jan 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Perth, WA Age: 28 Posts: 2,604 Car: BMW E46 328Ci, NA6 MX-5 Rep Power: 106	Been doing some work on it these past few weeks to fix up a few issues. First one was the blown radiator, which you can see in this photo here. New and old radiators - new one is a 42mm Cooling Pro. New thermostat too Radiator in Finally, new hoses, and thermoswitch However, following this work, I noticed coolant pissing out of the crank seal, which indicates the water pump is on the way out, so I'm dropping it off to get a new water pump, timing belt and other bits. Finally it should be good as new. I also did the oils (engine, gearbox and diff) and pulled the plugs. I did a compression test out of interest (and killed my battery in the process) and the cylinders range between 150-165psi. A new one should be around 190psi, but nothing I'm particularly worried about yet. Next up, I noticed that the shift wasn't great, and there was a bit of heat coming through the console. I also saw the shifter boot was a bit stuffed. So out came the console And the dust cover And the shifter Horrid old parts and shiny new ones Shifter back in New and old boot All back together. Mmm smooth. __________________ Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round!

September 5th, 2009, 1:30 PM	#11
frankiess Joined: Apr 14th, 2008 Last Online: November 20th, 2009 Location: Espoo, Finland Posts: 373 Car: Reebok trainers ATM Rep Power: 17	I wanna work on a car like this!! Cool that you're taking care of it. Just looking at your pictures made me wanna take something apart and fix it. __________________ Whaddya mean WHY did I build it myself?

September 8th, 2009, 4:11 AM	#13
Magnet Joined: Jan 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Perth, WA Age: 28 Posts: 2,604 Car: BMW E46 328Ci, NA6 MX-5 Rep Power: 106	Yeah, drained the old oil and put in some leftover Redline I had from the gearbox. I've just got a remote keyless entry kit I'll be installing next. I've had a look at the car, and it appears that the car originally had a remote locking kit, but for some reason the actuator from the driver's side has been pulled out. The wires are still there. It also goes into an old alarm control box which is no longer hooked up. That's on it way out. There's other work which I want to do to it (air intake, roll bar, shocks) but I want to drive it first! __________________ Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round!

September 8th, 2009, 10:25 AM	#14
Polly wants a cracker Joined: Dec 9th, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Your Mom. Posts: 2,346 Car: Yes. Because of Parkinsons. Rep Power: 158	Why is there an old cat fur lying on the dashboard? __________________ More is Better. We are here to get accidentally unearthed from a shallow grave by construction workers.

September 8th, 2009, 1:53 PM	#15
Magnet Joined: Jan 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Perth, WA Age: 28 Posts: 2,604 Car: BMW E46 328Ci, NA6 MX-5 Rep Power: 106	It's a dash mat, supposed to protect plastic dashboards from splitting under our million degree sun. It does look like poo though. __________________ Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round!

September 8th, 2009, 2:01 PM	#16
Wyvern Not A Dude Joined: Oct 4th, 2008 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Loughton, Essex Age: 36 Posts: 404 Car: Triumph Herald 1200, not quite as broken as it was Rep Power: 173	It's looking good I came so close to buying one of these before I bought Gerald the Herald. It would have been so much less painful if I had

September 14th, 2009, 4:36 AM	#17
Magnet Joined: Jan 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Perth, WA Age: 28 Posts: 2,604 Car: BMW E46 328Ci, NA6 MX-5 Rep Power: 106	So it now has a new water pump, timing belt and idlers, accessory belts and the rear brake callipers were pulled apart and cleaned up as they seemed to be grabbing a bit. Drives like a charm now. I also spent the weekend installing a keyless entry kit into the car. I know it's only a two door convertible, but the lock on the driver's side was sticking a bit, and I'm a lazy git. It used to have an old alarm system in it, but for some reason the central locking on the drivers side was missing, and the one on the passenger side was completely seized. It looks like it had a hit in the driver's door at some stage in its life as the plastic weather protector was missing as well. The driver's door handle stopped working too, which turned out to be a broken spring on the locking mechanism. A trip down to Bunnings sorted that out. I hooked it all up, soldered a hole in my hand in the process (which didn't really hurt, luckily, as there is a nice charred mark there now), and now have a shiny set of flip keys. It's been raining non stop here in Perth the past month or so, and I didn't really pay much attention until the fuses in the electric window motors kept blowing. I looked in the doors and there was water everywhere. It turns out the weatherstripping on the doors was so old and warped that there was a 5mm gap between the door and window for water to conveniently flow through. Currently there is duct tape across the windows until the new weatherstripping arrives. __________________ Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round!

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September 17th, 2009, 6:48 PM	#18
Stumpy Joined: Jun 29th, 2009 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Chicago, US of A Age: 31 Posts: 94 Car: MazdaSpeed Miata Rep Power: 5	Did you get that Leather Shift Boot from www.redlinegoods.com? If so, that is where I got mine. Great quality. BTW, great work on your car. Nice to see it in the hands of someone who is going to take care of it! .. __________________ 2004 MazdaSpeed Miata: Pics: Mods: Forge Bypass Valve Some of My Photography: Here: (Cars, Girls and Scenic Stuff)

September 19th, 2009, 3:10 AM	#20
Magnet Joined: Jan 13th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Perth, WA Age: 28 Posts: 2,604 Car: BMW E46 328Ci, NA6 MX-5 Rep Power: 106	No, I got mine from the UK. It was only $10, rather than $50, and the quality is great too. Couldn't be happier. __________________ Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round!

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