Discussion
Anyone else's '5 seem rather noisy on idle on cold starts? I realise some extra noise is normal, but on these cold days I can hear considerable rattle, its hard to isolate but I think its coming from one of the belts. It calms with warmth but doesn't totally vanish while its still cold out.
I'm not especially worried as the car's running very well, but would be interested to know if others are having the same experience and perhaps know the cause?
My car is a 1990 UK Mk1.
Cheers
I'm not especially worried as the car's running very well, but would be interested to know if others are having the same experience and perhaps know the cause?
My car is a 1990 UK Mk1.
Cheers
Evangelion said:
Don't you mean it's quieter with the roof up, thus making any small noises more noticeable?
Mines definitely noiser with the roof up. Also - my car sounds ace with the roof off - I have a cone filter, a Jazzy manifold, silenced de-cat and full s/s.
But - with the roof up, it sounds s
t- realyl coarse, boomy, horrid. It also makes the gearbox, road noise, rattle and squeaks all appear louder.Regarding winter noise - I started mine up last night to get some charge in the battery after its sat for 6 days.
No tappety HLA's (A major problem i had, solved by using fully snythetic oil - yes, really). but the belts and other bits were a bit squeeky and 'dry' sounding - only lasted 30 seconds though, after that it was idling smooth as anything, depsite the fact its been sat in a snow drift for 4 days.
Mine started squealing, I thought it was the aux belt so I relaxed them - worth doing as there mega cheap and dead easy to do. But what it actually turned out to be was the waterpump.
Keep an eye out on the bottom of the plastic timing belt cover for any drips and your coolant level. If it is the waterpump, then get ready to do a full belts/tensioner/seals/waterpump service.
Very diy-able and the parts come to about £110 on mx5parts.
Keep an eye out on the bottom of the plastic timing belt cover for any drips and your coolant level. If it is the waterpump, then get ready to do a full belts/tensioner/seals/waterpump service.
Very diy-able and the parts come to about £110 on mx5parts.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Evangelion said:
Don't you mean it's quieter with the roof up, thus making any small noises more noticeable?
Yes and no. Having the top up cuts out wind noise which is the loudest noise but that makes it easier to hear mechanical noises like gearbox, dif, wheel bearings etc.
my 89 NA was run on 5w50 and had tappet rattle on startup which usually went away after 10-20 seconds. after i changed to mobil 1 0w40 the rattle went away completely, even in these minus conditions we've had recently - i'm a firm beliver that there's no such thing as too thin an oil
i do notice though, once the oil level gets to about half way, the tappet rattle comes back for say, 5 secs. useful really as an audible warning to top her up
i do notice though, once the oil level gets to about half way, the tappet rattle comes back for say, 5 secs. useful really as an audible warning to top her up
dylan0451 said:
once the oil level gets to about half way, the tappet rattle comes back for say, 5 secs. useful really as an audible warning to top her up
I use that method as well! If I hear tappets I know to check the oil. If I've used the 1 litre top up already, it's time for a service.dylan0451 said:
how long does a litre of oil last you then?
i'm currently going through min to max on the dipstick every month or so
after ruling out the CAS, rear crank seal, cam cover and sump i fear the head gasket on no.4 cylinder is on its way out
Currently it's pretty much spot on 9000 miles. And has been there or there abouts since I got the car..(2004 ish, 45,000ish from memory. Pushing 120,000 miles now)i'm currently going through min to max on the dipstick every month or so
after ruling out the CAS, rear crank seal, cam cover and sump i fear the head gasket on no.4 cylinder is on its way out
Went up when the rear main oil seal gave up the fight against my abuse. That made the clutch squeel. So if it's not dripping on the drive and your clutch doesn't squeel it's probably not that.
well, i guess that rules out the crank seal then - i would also expect to see oil coming from the hole in the gearbox that i assume lets out friction plate dust
do head gaskets tend to go on non FI'd cars with track abuse? my car has a ported head fitted maybe 5-10k ago so it seems a little odd the head gasket should be going, unless the head has warped under hard use...
do head gaskets tend to go on non FI'd cars with track abuse? my car has a ported head fitted maybe 5-10k ago so it seems a little odd the head gasket should be going, unless the head has warped under hard use...
I may have found another clue. This morning the power steering went mental.
On the move, steering suddenly went very light, and then got progressively heavier over the following half hour or so. It's now heavier than usual, but there is still some power assistance there.
Phoned Dandycars who suggested belt slip or fluid level/circulation could be involved, but advised coming in on the weekend for a proper look. I hope it is belt-related as this would solve 2 problems at once!
On the move, steering suddenly went very light, and then got progressively heavier over the following half hour or so. It's now heavier than usual, but there is still some power assistance there.
Phoned Dandycars who suggested belt slip or fluid level/circulation could be involved, but advised coming in on the weekend for a proper look. I hope it is belt-related as this would solve 2 problems at once!
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