NC Woes

[Mannginger]

Got a rattle in the engine bay on the drive to work this morning so called Mazda Roadside assistance as soon as I got in. They use the RAC who were awesome as always.

They've diagnosed a cam follower issue so it's being flat-bedded to my local dealer and a courtesy car is being dropped off at work. The car's only 2 years old so I'm expecting it all to be covered under warranty but it's still a bit of a PITA.

Will update once the dealer's looked over it.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Does this sound familiar?

[Mannginger]

Hmm - well it certainly started at 2500 and became significantly more pronounced above 3000 rpm so yes it could be.

My car's only done 35k or so and the oil levels are good. Should be within warranty but we'll see what they say. So far I've been (broadly) pleased with Mazda's (and MKG3000's) approach to issues so I am very happy to give them the benefit of the doubt whilst I await diagnosis and subsequent cost/warranty/time discussions

[Mannginger]

Quick question as I'm still awaiting diagnosis form the garage. Is there any chance that if it is the cam followers / buckets) could it have been caused by hard cornering?

I have no idea how long / frequent cornering needs to be to cause oil starvation or if it's even possible under fast road driving but I'm trying to analyse what could have caused it.

Cheers in advance

Phil

Edited by Mannginger on Wednesday 30th March 12:35

[MX-5 Lazza]

If hard cornering could cause it then it would be a design fault rather than anything you've done wrong. Anyway, there are a number of Mk3 race cars now and they don't suffer oil starvation

[Mannginger]

Surely the Race cars would be dry-sumped or have some kind of surge prevention?

Either way, I do suspect this isn't the cause but was just thinking about possible causes on my drive up to Leeds yesterday

[MX-5 Lazza]

No, the race cars have to have standard engines. This is Max5/Ma5da racing that I'm talking about.

[Mannginger]

Ah well in that case....driving god I may be but I seriously doubt I came anywhere near to the sorts of G-forces the engine would experience on track so it won't have been that then!