Rough on start up..

[mxrossi]

My car has sat all weekend as I've been at Santa Pod watching my mate racing and last night when starting it was running really rough. After a little while (5 min into journey) it got better and it was idling / sounding ok. Then again this morning when starting it was rough and misfiring again, and again after about 5 mins of my journey to work it was running ok.

Am I right in thinking this is something to do with the battery..? My initial thoughts was the coilpack but I understand when this goes the car is normally hot..?

I'd like to get the problem sorted in the next couple of weeks as I am heading down to Jack Smiths for a new roof!!

[RVVUNM]

I have the same problem, so I'm interested to know as well.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Sounds like leads to me.

[bluetone]

Are you sure it isn't just HLA clatter and needs an oil change? I need to do mine about every 3500miles otherwise it sounds like a bag of bolts first thing and at the end of run. Not misfire type noise; just rattly as hell.

When was the last time you changed your sparkplugs? As per Lazza; could be leads - do you know their provenance/age etc?

Edited by bluetone on Monday 1st June 16:25

[mxrossi]

Was serviced in April as soon as I got the car, both oil and plugs were done.

As far as I know the leads are the originals, so a call to mx5 parts tomorrow will be the order of the day. Might as well upgrade to the Magnecors for that little bit extra.

Will let you know how I get on!

[bluetone]

mxrossi said:

As far as I know the leads are the originals, so a call to mx5 parts tomorrow will be the order of the day. Might as well upgrade to the Magnecors for that little bit extra.

They worked for me

[dan1981]

I had the same problem, turned out to be the bits on the coil pack - got those changed and also did leads and plugs at same time.

Back to perfect again now.

[RVVUNM]

Nice new blue Magnecor leads fitted (£55.00), still runs like a bag of ste, any other suggestions on start up to running temp?.

[Odie]

Sounds odd but possible air block in your cooling system? Ive noticed on my 5 that if the cooling system isnt working quite right it will run like a bag of spanners.

Also pull the plugs out see what colour the tips are (also cheack for damage to teh ceramic)

Edited by Odie on Thursday 4th June 13:23

[RVVUNM]

At last it's fixed. I have replaced the plugs,no better, then the leads,no better,then the coil pack,no better,then after talking to a mechanic the green temp sensor at the back of the block, YES fixed. So if your MX5 runs badly between cold and operating temp, stalling at tickover this could be the fault.Pass it on.

[mxrossi]

Same as mine mate! Left the car with Steven at 5 Speed and he checked coilpack, plugs etc, and then he replaced the sensor you are on about and the Lambda and voila running fine again!! (Also done the cambelt as that needed doing).

So to make sure it was running ok I took a trip down to Jack Smiths Trimmers in Swansea for a new Mohair roof. Car ran fine, roof looks good, and the drive home via the A4069 was brilliant! All in all a great little trip in the 5!!