Discussion
Hi guys,
I came close to deciding to sell the thing yesterday, but backed off. I just couldn't do it in the end, and succomb to something more economical and sensible like the Vauxhall Agila I've had as a courtesy car recently. What I now want to do, is to correct with all of your combined help, a couple of things which are bugging me.
Firstly, there is this question of the poor MPG. I've read that replacing the O2 sensor (have I
got this right) may well help. So could someone please tell me exactly what I'm after in this regard, and remember you are talking to an imbecile. Mine is an automatic by the way 1800cc.
The other thing, is all the rattling and clanging and banging that comes from underneath every time I go over the slightest bump. This is nothing new and has been present ever since I've had the car. I find I am just turning up the CD player louder and louder these days! The car did pass its MOT with no advisories whatsoever last year and so I am at a lost with what to make of it all.
One last thing, since the camshaft sensor has been changed and I know these are really early days,is it possible that my MPG might be slightly better? Am I imagining this? I'll have to do a proper test and see exactly what I'm getting to the gallon very shortly.
I'd sure appreciate your help. Many thanks!
I came close to deciding to sell the thing yesterday, but backed off. I just couldn't do it in the end, and succomb to something more economical and sensible like the Vauxhall Agila I've had as a courtesy car recently. What I now want to do, is to correct with all of your combined help, a couple of things which are bugging me.
Firstly, there is this question of the poor MPG. I've read that replacing the O2 sensor (have I
got this right) may well help. So could someone please tell me exactly what I'm after in this regard, and remember you are talking to an imbecile. Mine is an automatic by the way 1800cc.
The other thing, is all the rattling and clanging and banging that comes from underneath every time I go over the slightest bump. This is nothing new and has been present ever since I've had the car. I find I am just turning up the CD player louder and louder these days! The car did pass its MOT with no advisories whatsoever last year and so I am at a lost with what to make of it all.
One last thing, since the camshaft sensor has been changed and I know these are really early days,is it possible that my MPG might be slightly better? Am I imagining this? I'll have to do a proper test and see exactly what I'm getting to the gallon very shortly.
I'd sure appreciate your help. Many thanks!
Following on from your previous thread regarding the faulty CAS, the ECU will also log O2 sensor faults. 
If you drive your car in a spirited fashion then expect around 25mpg, depending on the length of the journey. Worst consumption on my 1.6 is 19mpg, best is 34mpg.
My overall average over the last 3 years is 28mpg.
If you drive your car in a spirited fashion then expect around 25mpg, depending on the length of the journey. Worst consumption on my 1.6 is 19mpg, best is 34mpg.
My overall average over the last 3 years is 28mpg.
Edited by ronime on Tuesday 14th August 22:36
Edited by ronime on Tuesday 14th August 22:37
You're never going to get great MPG from an MX5, so unless yours is severly low I1d stop worrying about it and just accept it.
Having said that, my newly fitted engine is proving a little gem. Returned 38mpg on a long motorway slog up to Scotland driving at a steady 60-65mph, and even up there it didn't dip below 30mpg. When I use it for short little local runs it returns about 28mpg and a track day tank was around 22mpg.
Having said that, my newly fitted engine is proving a little gem. Returned 38mpg on a long motorway slog up to Scotland driving at a steady 60-65mph, and even up there it didn't dip below 30mpg. When I use it for short little local runs it returns about 28mpg and a track day tank was around 22mpg.
A5man said:
Hi guys,
I came close to deciding to sell the thing yesterday, but backed off. I just couldn't do it in the end, and succomb to something more economical and sensible like the Vauxhall Agila I've had as a courtesy car recently. What I now want to do, is to correct with all of your combined help, a couple of things which are bugging me.
Firstly, there is this question of the poor MPG. I've read that replacing the O2 sensor (have I
got this right) may well help. So could someone please tell me exactly what I'm after in this regard, and remember you are talking to an imbecile. Mine is an automatic by the way 1800cc.
The other thing, is all the rattling and clanging and banging that comes from underneath every time I go over the slightest bump. This is nothing new and has been present ever since I've had the car. I find I am just turning up the CD player louder and louder these days! The car did pass its MOT with no advisories whatsoever last year and so I am at a lost with what to make of it all.
One last thing, since the camshaft sensor has been changed and I know these are really early days,is it possible that my MPG might be slightly better? Am I imagining this? I'll have to do a proper test and see exactly what I'm getting to the gallon very shortly.
I'd sure appreciate your help. Many thanks!
You do realise that the money you'll spend on replacing the car will keeop the MX5 in petrol for many, many years don't you.I came close to deciding to sell the thing yesterday, but backed off. I just couldn't do it in the end, and succomb to something more economical and sensible like the Vauxhall Agila I've had as a courtesy car recently. What I now want to do, is to correct with all of your combined help, a couple of things which are bugging me.
Firstly, there is this question of the poor MPG. I've read that replacing the O2 sensor (have I
got this right) may well help. So could someone please tell me exactly what I'm after in this regard, and remember you are talking to an imbecile. Mine is an automatic by the way 1800cc.
The other thing, is all the rattling and clanging and banging that comes from underneath every time I go over the slightest bump. This is nothing new and has been present ever since I've had the car. I find I am just turning up the CD player louder and louder these days! The car did pass its MOT with no advisories whatsoever last year and so I am at a lost with what to make of it all.
One last thing, since the camshaft sensor has been changed and I know these are really early days,is it possible that my MPG might be slightly better? Am I imagining this? I'll have to do a proper test and see exactly what I'm getting to the gallon very shortly.
I'd sure appreciate your help. Many thanks!
Hey Vlad, the answer to your question is 'OF COURSE'. That's why I can't sell the bloody thing in the final analysis LOL.
And to our friend, who commented about the exhaust rubbers 'he may well have hit the nail on the proverbial head here'. I'll look into this for sure.
With regards to the O2 sensor I was on about with regards to increasing the MPG, this came about from another thread on here where a guy suggested replacing the part. I took it from what he said that there was an ALTERNATIVE available but of course now I'm thinking that I might have got this wrong and that he was only saying that the O2 sensor might be faulty. I just don't know! I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this sooner or later.
Anyhow, thanks again everyone for your contributions so far and please keep them coming. In a nutshell, this is what is bugging me and I do know that I am going to have to do a precise test on my MPG real soon. My previous white Eunos (1800cc again) I reckon registered well into the thirties with normal driving and admittedly was a manual, but my new one is SO MUCH worse! There is a big difference believe me.
And to our friend, who commented about the exhaust rubbers 'he may well have hit the nail on the proverbial head here'. I'll look into this for sure.
With regards to the O2 sensor I was on about with regards to increasing the MPG, this came about from another thread on here where a guy suggested replacing the part. I took it from what he said that there was an ALTERNATIVE available but of course now I'm thinking that I might have got this wrong and that he was only saying that the O2 sensor might be faulty. I just don't know! I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this sooner or later.
Anyhow, thanks again everyone for your contributions so far and please keep them coming. In a nutshell, this is what is bugging me and I do know that I am going to have to do a precise test on my MPG real soon. My previous white Eunos (1800cc again) I reckon registered well into the thirties with normal driving and admittedly was a manual, but my new one is SO MUCH worse! There is a big difference believe me.
It's best if the car is flat on the ground but can also be done (and is easier) if it's jacked up at the front with both wheels off the ground. Just take a good hold of the drop link itself and give it a good pull/push/shake/wiggle. If you can feel any movement in the bushes at all they are knackered. They should feel completely solid.
This will only work if both wheels are at the same height so there is no tension on the ARB.
This will only work if both wheels are at the same height so there is no tension on the ARB.
vrsmxtb said:
You're never going to get great MPG from an MX5, so unless yours is severly low I1d stop worrying about it and just accept it.
Having said that, my newly fitted engine is proving a little gem. Returned 38mpg on a long motorway slog up to Scotland driving at a steady 60-65mph, and even up there it didn't dip below 30mpg. When I use it for short little local runs it returns about 28mpg and a track day tank was around 22mpg.
Wow, bet it was a slog at 60mph, you have the patience of a saint.Having said that, my newly fitted engine is proving a little gem. Returned 38mpg on a long motorway slog up to Scotland driving at a steady 60-65mph, and even up there it didn't dip below 30mpg. When I use it for short little local runs it returns about 28mpg and a track day tank was around 22mpg.
MX-5 Lazza said:
It's best if the car is flat on the ground but can also be done (and is easier) if it's jacked up at the front with both wheels off the ground. Just take a good hold of the drop link itself and give it a good pull/push/shake/wiggle. If you can feel any movement in the bushes at all they are knackered. They should feel completely solid.
This will only work if both wheels are at the same height so there is no tension on the ARB.
Is it best to have the wheels hanging or could i drive it up a kerb to check them?This will only work if both wheels are at the same height so there is no tension on the ARB.
I once drove home from just north of Edinburgh at no more than 70mph all the way. I'd just finished a week of hairing around the Scottish lanes and just wanted a relaxing drive home. It's surprisingly relaxing just letting people pass by, not worrying about speed cameras & police while keeping the engine & road noise down. I got all the way to just beyond Oxford before having to fill up again too which was a bit of a bonus as my car isn't usually particularly economical.
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