MX5 Specalist(s) in Bucks/Beds

[pmanson]

Hi All,

Our trusty new purchase needs a bit of attention in the New Year to get it up to scratch as I was wondering if anyone could recommend somewhere to give it a once over:

• HT Leads need replacing (I'll do this myself when I service it)
• Alternator/fan belt need changing
• Cam belt change (Better safe than sorry)
• Bottoming out on the right rear (bushes or shock?)
• Front pads changed

Also i'd like to get all the bushes done all around to tighten it up for next summer.

Apart from that there's a few little dings that need some attention and then we're good to go.

So any recommendations? We can leave the car at a specialist for a week or so if required.

Phill

PS. I'm really enjoying cold winter night driving with the top down - Great fun

[anonymous-user]

If you're going to be servicing it yourself, most of those can be tackled too. It's a nice easy car to work on. Wouldn't have thought the bushes would cause a corner to bottom out - broken spring or knackered damper?

My recommendation in this area is always Phil and Steven at Performance 5

[pmanson]

LexSport said:

If you're going to be servicing it yourself, most of those can be tackled too. It's a nice easy car to work on. Wouldn't have thought the bushes would cause a corner to bottom out - broken spring or knackered damper?

My recommendation in this area is always Phil and Steven at Performance 5

I'm quite happy to give it a go. I'm thinking more along the lines of a knackered damper but I won't know for sure until i've got it up in the air.

I've not changed any belts before (changed springs & shocks, oil etc) but not tackled a fan belt etc.

Is it a case of buying a haynes manual and a bit of patience? Or should it really go into a garage to have the cambelt done?

[Snoggledog]

LexSport said:

My recommendation in this area is always Phil and Steven at Performance 5

Seconded.

[anonymous-user]

Rod Grainger's manual is the one to get. Covers all the servicing right down to a complete rebuild much better than the Haynes manual. The advantage of the MX5 for a DIY cam belt change is that it's a non-interference engine, so even if you do make a mistake it won't clatter the valves. As is common, the water pump is driven by the cam belt so can be a worthwhile change when you're doing the cam belt.

[pmanson]

LexSport said:

Rod Grainger's manual is the one to get. Covers all the servicing right down to a complete rebuild much better than the Haynes manual. The advantage of the MX5 for a DIY cam belt change is that it's a non-interference engine, so even if you do make a mistake it won't clatter the valves. As is common, the water pump is driven by the cam belt so can be a worthwhile change when you're doing the cam belt.

Nice one, that goods to know. I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty so i'll pick up a manual from somewhere and give it a go!

[anonymous-user]

This'll do ya

[skinny]

do all the belts in one go, along with service items that require the removal of said belts like tensioners, crankshaft / camshaft oil seals if needed, water pump, and also service items like the CAS o-ring seal and cam cover gasket.

Edited by skinny on Wednesday 19th December 20:13

[pmanson]

Excellent Guys.

I'll put together a shopping lists of bits I need and run it past you to make I haven't missed anything!