THSCC Forums

I got a call the other day from a very strong ally of THSCC. Some of you may remember Terry from RBC. His support of our cause was instrumental in getting us to run there. Well, he needs some technical help on a Miata.

Apparently, somebody has given him a bunch of bad advice in the past on a particular Miata in terms of gettting some repairs done. And before any more money is spent on the car... he wants to get some advice from somebody that isn't biased and knows these cars-- so he asked if I knew of any Miata experts in the club.

Well, if our club doesn't have a few Miata experts, they don't exist anywhere right?

If you might be willing to help him out by taking a look at the car, or if you have a really great Miata mechanic that we trust not to take him to the cleaners, let me know. He sent an email to me of the type of problems that a certain shop in another city thinks needs to be done, but he just wants a 2nd opinion before spending more money.

Terry has helped us out a lot in the past and it would mean a great deal to me if one the club's Miata experts would step up and help him out. He is willing to pay for your time, but I think we owe this guy a favor or two. He is no longer with RBC but is responsible for driver training for the Wake Co. Sheriff's dept (and they train at the NC Hwy Patrol training center).
(don't even say it... I know what you guys are thinking).

Terry is a great guy and has a respect for what we do. He's considering even joining us at an event this year. If you would be willing to look at the car for him and think you can genuinely help with the kind of problems listed below, PM or email me. Terry can bring it to you or meet you somewhere. The car is located in Clayton but you don't have to be near there to help. He is not looking for one of us to fix it, but to tell him if the diagnosis is likely to be correct, or is off base somehow.

Here is what he sent to me, which is the text of an estimate he's gotten:
(I'm not posting this for the usual debate on what might be wrong.... the request is that a THSCC expert look at this car, or a recommended mechanic).

============================
1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata L4-1839cc 1.8l DOHC


Noise pilot bearing wearing out

Transmission remove needed to repair!

If clutch shows any wear should be replaced

Also oil leak ,seems to be coming from rear main if so repair should be
done with trans removed.

Runs ruff after sitting or cold! Needs tune/injector service, timing
belt?? spark plugs/wires look oem!!!


Clutch Disc
Replace
Includes: R&I Transmission. Labor 60.00 hr
5.50 330.00

To R&R Flywheel Labor 60.00
0.20 12.00
To R&R Pilot Bearing Labor 60.00
0.20 12.00


With out parts
Total: $354.00

Miles,

Sports and Compacts is probably the best bet in Raleigh for a professional mechanic.

Miata have a few unique issues and these sound like them.
FWIW - some folks claim that the Miata pilot bearing are junk, but without knowing the symptoms its hard to say. Clutch slave cylinders do leak and sometimes the linkage rods vibrate.
Any Miata rough running should always be first addressed with a known good set of blue NGK plug wires. Easy swap.
The rear main seal leak is a typical mis-diagnosis. To be true to the British sports car heritage, the Mazda folks needed to include an oil leak somewhere. Instead of the rear main seal, they chose the CAS o ring at the back of the valve cover. It dribbles down the back of the motor and "looks" like a rear main seal. What should also be addressed is the rear heater hoses as the leaking CAS seal tends to oil soak that heater hose and cause it to fail. They're a bit tricky to replace as its tight back there.

Net-net is that I'm far from a professional mechanic but I'd be happy to spend an hour or so looking at the car if he can bring it to Raleigh. Since we have a couple of Miatae its fairly easy for me to swap known good parts.

Frank

I agree with this. I'd take it over to Carl and let him have a look.

_________________
Diane (Hall) Bundas
1992 Spec Miata #48 - 1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe

I wanted to thank you Frank for your message. I've forwarded the text of what you said back to Terry and suggested he contact Carl at Sports and Compacts. I told him if he was not comfortable with what Carl told him to let me know and I'd see about getting a volunteer from the club to render an opinion. I think it would be better if he took it to Carl so that the car could be put on a lift and really examined.

Thanks again Frank and Diane for the comments.

Frank, I'll certainly call you or talk offline before giving Terry your contact info.

Miles