A quick miata question

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 11:02 am

So I have a rattling type of noise that's recently started at idle and is engine speed related. Previously I've thought that any additional noise had been related to a lightweight flywheel (13lb) and clutch assembly that was installed. I guess it could also be noise from the oil filter relocation as well.

This morning at a stoplight I pushed the clutch pedal in to shift to first and the engine starts to sound like it's about to stall, manage to release pressure on the clutch and try again.

If I make it to the club meeting would someone take a listen? Hoping it's something like the throwout bearing and not the thrust bearing going out.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 12:10 pm

I have a stethoscope I can bring with me.

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 12:36 pm

Thanks man!

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Probably the slave cylinder.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 12:59 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Probably the slave cylinder.

Having replaced two of these on my Miata, I don't see where it would cause a "rattling sound".

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 1:20 pm

I've had the slave cylinder rattle before and that rattling goes away when the clutch is depressed.

This noise is constant.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Ah, I was basing it off of the engine wanting to stall.

Constant noise that's RPM dependent could be a loose heat shield. It's not speed related, correct?

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 1:46 pm

Correct, it's engine RPM dependent. It was quite hard to get into reverse this morning, although I think it was due to the cold.

I've not been driving very far in it as my commute to the bus stop is about 2 miles.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:08 pm

Hopefully your car didn't hang around mine too much and catch some serious disease.

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:16 pm

Could be a conspiracy by Ford to sell more Fiesta ST's!

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 5:02 pm

From your description and the stalling, the first thing that came to mind was the thrust bearing. Some early NB's had issues with those due to improper clearance from the factory, but that was years ago and the problem showed up early on for those cars. Plus, I don't see where you could get a rattle from that. It could be a the clutch throw-out bearing going bad.

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 13, 2016 6:51 pm

Found the issue!

The alternator seized and then the belt snapped on the way home. Getting an Uber to the meeting.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Jan 14, 2016 10:24 am

Nothing like a catastrophic failure to pinpoint a problem! Glad it's a relatively easy fix.

JasonWatts · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2016 10:51 am

FrancisChan wrote:

It was quite hard to get into reverse this morning, although I think it was due to the cold.

Thats a miata problem in general from what I have read/experienced. Mine does that (99 6spd). Something about one of the inner shift boots getting worn out and making it hard to pull into the gear slot from what I have read on miata.net. I wouldn't worry about this so much until you figure out the other stuff.

EDIT: maybe I should read all of the thread before posting... regardless my point remains the same.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2016 11:28 am

JasonWatts wrote:

Thats a miata problem in general from what I have read/experienced. Mine does that (99 6spd). Something about one of the inner shift boots getting worn out and making it hard to pull into the gear slot from what I have read on miata.net.

I have had the same issue on my Miata NA with NA transmission. The inner boot goes bad and the shift turret dries out making it difficult to shift. The time before last I refilled it and replaced with a good boot only to have it go dry again (failed to go into 5th gear). It doesn't appear to be leaking out anywhere and I suspect whatever sealing mechanism there is between the shift turret and the gear box has worn allowing the fluid to leak from the turret, past the shift rods into the gear box. Yet another reason the car is parked :roll:

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A quick miata question

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