MK1 Eunos temperature at 1 o'clock

[Micraupgrade]

Test driven a Eunos today, lovely little thing. Tried it on the B road next to the owners house. Noticed the temperature gauge fluctuating quite a lot. Think it had been stood for quite a white. Owner owns a garage of his own and has fixed this up as a project over the past few years, includes a hard top, an 'newer' engine and some dodgy touched up silver paintwork for £1k.

Taking it for a spin tomorrow in on the motorway but shouldn't the water temperature not go above 11/12 oclock?
It's the only thing that's putting me off the car at the moment.

[Oldandslow]

Depends. Somebody may have done the mod to the gauge that makes it read more linearly.

http://www.miataforumz.com/how-40/how-linear-water...

[mad4amanda]

Have a look and see how old the rad is , if it is the original rad (slightly brown plastics and lots of japanese script on it ) it will undoubtedly be scaled up as the vertical tubes are very fine and scale up over time . replacements are cheap do the cap and stat and rear heater hoses at the same time.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Was it the water temp gauge (on right) you were looking at or the oil pressure gauge (top centre)?

[Micraupgrade]

Its the one on the right. And I'll have a look at the rad tonight.

[tuttle]

Also could be....and this happened to a Eunos I bought quite recently.
Check the gauges/dials. Previous owner had taken out the gauges to fit new dials & not q-u-i-t-e lined em up perfectly when re attaching the needles. Car always appeared to be running hot but was in fact fine.

[Micraupgrade]

Just been out in it, temperature was hot, but regulated itself. Never seemed to go OTT ,but would warm and cool itself. Maybe its been 'linear'd' or even a sensor playing up. If it was hot, it would stay hot and cook itself basically?

[mad4amanda]

what is it like in traffic?

mine was ok but started running hotter in traffic tried new stat and rad cap but only when I did the rad did it stop . Then when I put new coolant in the heater hose at the back went!
If its old just do it to avoid the problems

[Micraupgrade]

No problem in traffic, barely fluctuated on the motorway too. There's an MX5 specialist (oh the joys of living up North) 2 minutes from my house, so I guess it can always go there if there's any issues.

[anonymous-user]

I've had 3 mk1s over the past few years, 2 1.6s and currently a 1.8, and I've never seen the temp gauge on any of them move beyond about 11pm at any time (even stuck in traffic on a hot day) apart from once when the head gasket went on my 2nd 1.6 on the motorway. I managed to blow up that 1.6's replacement engine a few years later and the temp gauge didn't move that time, in fact it managed about 20 miles home still showing normal on the gauge (but requiring plenty of coolant top-ups and blowing a lot of steam from the exhaust).

Personally if the gauge is moving around at any time then I would say that is not normal behavior.

[Micraupgrade]

Could it possibly be the stat?

[MX-5 Lazza]

If the stat was stuck open it would take a while to warm up and would cool down when driving at normal b-road speeds. The heater wouldn't be as hot as it should be too - they are usually capable of cooking your feet.

[Micraupgrade]

I get it on Thursday, wish me luck!

[Micraupgrade]

Finally got it, turned up to the guys house only to have my online banking blocking my account! Had a good blast it, so much fun. Makes the £250 hike on my insurance so worth it. Amazing little thing. Getting it booked in next Thursday to have a look at this temperature gague

[Micraupgrade]

Car seems to drive fine, took it to Manchester without fail, only issue I've seen so far is starting once it's been running earlier in the day. Small tap on the accelerator starts it but it's worrying it's doing this, any idea?

[Micraupgrade]

Took it to CBS Autos. Radiator was full of junk! All sorted and now doesn't go above half way. Love it! Carl there showed me so much about the car, was so impressed. Could spend a fortune there.

[HaylingJag]

well done fella, glad you're enjoying yerself,

get some photos up, lets 'av a look!


D

[Micraupgrade]

Will do, when it's not raining!

Speaking of which, took a sharp corner this morning, whatever water was on the door seal flew on my jeans!

Also, the boot is sodden. Time to find another leak!

[Micraupgrade]

Here she is:



New chrome rings added, fan chrome was added by previous owner (same with the tacky cigarette lighter)



New panel on the front passengers I think was diagnosed (small gap). Also, DVLA states it was black before (it's had some backstreet garage paint it this silver, lots of overruns etc).
I'm thinking of getting it dipped glossy white at some point. MOT In February, sills are completely solid and it's had an engine swap to a long nose crank at some point too.

All of this seems trivial, the car's older than me and a million times cooler than the stock Micra it's replaced.


It had some Nardi gear knob in it which felt rubbish to shift in (which has actually fallen off), getting a 500g stainless steel one coming this week. Also got a new gaiter from CBS. Looking for a Eunos badge as well but don't want to pay the £50 MX5Parts want.

Any idea on what bulb the front fog is? It's currently out, didn't realise they were stock.


Off to get some insulation for the bootlid!

[mad4amanda]

Nardi Gear shifter could be original and part of the special edition which would also include the nardi wheel and front fogs, which it appears to have.
personally I would refit it properly.Oh and loose all the alloy bling bits.