Discussion
....or the car is going to be set alight or rolled off a cliff.
After my debacle over the winter, I got my Roadster up and running at last after a lot of work. Great, its working, no problems.
Then withint just one week and less than a couple of hundred miles of getting it back on the road - heading out to a Nutz meet last week - bam, clutch gone.
Decided to do it myself as really cant afford any labour charges - all night Friday after work, and all day Saturday. Only dropped a gearobx on my head, what, 4 times?
It was a fecking nightmare. I also unexpectedly had to remove the entire exhaust manifold, and of course didnt have a gasket, so couldnt rebuild the car without it leaking. And the manifold/bellhousing bracket has snapped. So STILL no car. And now I've just gone out and fitted a new gasket in the pissing rain and freezing cold - and the Cat has a big hole in it. I guess it has cracked during the removal/refitting process. I really cant afford to buy a new catalyst.
AND to top it off my PC has just had a massive hardware failure.
Another week of having to get a bus to work and not being able to drive anywhere. I am seriously, seriously frustrated!
Its such a frigging nightmare when things go wrong.
Yet another weekend spent lying on my back in the cold and wet.
All I want is to drive the frigging thing!
After my debacle over the winter, I got my Roadster up and running at last after a lot of work. Great, its working, no problems.
Then withint just one week and less than a couple of hundred miles of getting it back on the road - heading out to a Nutz meet last week - bam, clutch gone.
Decided to do it myself as really cant afford any labour charges - all night Friday after work, and all day Saturday. Only dropped a gearobx on my head, what, 4 times?
It was a fecking nightmare. I also unexpectedly had to remove the entire exhaust manifold, and of course didnt have a gasket, so couldnt rebuild the car without it leaking. And the manifold/bellhousing bracket has snapped. So STILL no car. And now I've just gone out and fitted a new gasket in the pissing rain and freezing cold - and the Cat has a big hole in it. I guess it has cracked during the removal/refitting process. I really cant afford to buy a new catalyst.
AND to top it off my PC has just had a massive hardware failure.
Another week of having to get a bus to work and not being able to drive anywhere. I am seriously, seriously frustrated!
Its such a frigging nightmare when things go wrong.
Yet another weekend spent lying on my back in the cold and wet.
All I want is to drive the frigging thing!
Its a pain when things go wrong but just think about those upcoming spring evenings, those summer nights. Roof down, warm weather.
Gorgeous mornings, the roof down, the sun shining. No-one else on the road.
Remember the good times.
But if you do push it of a cliff can I have your wheels first?
Gorgeous mornings, the roof down, the sun shining. No-one else on the road.
Remember the good times.
But if you do push it of a cliff can I have your wheels first?
You have my sympathies; that does sound like a right royal pain in the rear; I guess whenever you work on your car, it's an opportunity for mister f
kup to come pay a visit! You could try patching the CAT as a temporary measure to allow your finances to recover?
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t...
Rather depends on how big the hole is I guess...
kup to come pay a visit! You could try patching the CAT as a temporary measure to allow your finances to recover?http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t...
Rather depends on how big the hole is I guess...
I've been there before, fannying about with exhuast paste. waste of time.
The CAT is the oldest bit of the exhaust - its a stainless manifold infront of it, and a full stainless behind.
Lazza - that is my plan anyway, I'll worry about it again in September at MOT time. I need to get one ordered today from MX5 parts... better turn up tomorrow or im car-less till April the 9th!
The CAT is the oldest bit of the exhaust - its a stainless manifold infront of it, and a full stainless behind.
Lazza - that is my plan anyway, I'll worry about it again in September at MOT time. I need to get one ordered today from MX5 parts... better turn up tomorrow or im car-less till April the 9th!
Everything you ever wanted to know about MX5/Eunos emissions
Registered between 1st August 1st 1992 and July 31st 1995 - A Roadster with a fully functioning, well maintained engine management system with the engine at normal operating temperature will be able to meet these limits even with a decat pipe fitted.
HTH
Registered between 1st August 1st 1992 and July 31st 1995 - A Roadster with a fully functioning, well maintained engine management system with the engine at normal operating temperature will be able to meet these limits even with a decat pipe fitted.
HTH
Edited by bluetone on Wednesday 31st March 09:02
Lazza - Yup, car is a JDM, 1993/4 so technically should have the slacker test.
I had the argument with the MOT tester last year as he was adamant that it needed a regular test - a misunderstanding of the regulations IMO. I think it may well be due to some ambiguity as to what is writted on the V5 - a UK car should say Mazda MX-5, an Import should say Eunos Roadster (make, model).
Mine says IIRC, 'Mazda Roadster'. I should probably get that changed, although that means dealing with that bunch of cretins from Swansea.
I didnt argue as they are a good bunch of guys and it did just about pass after getting it red hot up the bypass and back a few times. And buying the tester a bag of chips.
I've just spoke to MX5 parts and ordered a cat-bypass anyway with guaranteed next day delivery. I'm really, realy hoping that I get it sorted on Friday as I'm supposed to be leading a run-out on Sunday to one of my favourite events of the year (The Malton Specialist cars meet).
I'm also well, well looking forward to a 4 day break from work, its been absolute Chaos since Christmas. It would be a disaster to be house bound for the Holiday with no car!
I've a feeling its going to be slightly, or perhaps ridiculously anti-social once fitted... my exhaust already pops, bangs and flashes...!
I dont mind really
Although to be fair - as has been pointed out on Nutz - the Cat thats in there may well be absolutely borked anyway.
I had the argument with the MOT tester last year as he was adamant that it needed a regular test - a misunderstanding of the regulations IMO. I think it may well be due to some ambiguity as to what is writted on the V5 - a UK car should say Mazda MX-5, an Import should say Eunos Roadster (make, model).
Mine says IIRC, 'Mazda Roadster'. I should probably get that changed, although that means dealing with that bunch of cretins from Swansea.
I didnt argue as they are a good bunch of guys and it did just about pass after getting it red hot up the bypass and back a few times. And buying the tester a bag of chips.
I've just spoke to MX5 parts and ordered a cat-bypass anyway with guaranteed next day delivery. I'm really, realy hoping that I get it sorted on Friday as I'm supposed to be leading a run-out on Sunday to one of my favourite events of the year (The Malton Specialist cars meet).
I'm also well, well looking forward to a 4 day break from work, its been absolute Chaos since Christmas. It would be a disaster to be house bound for the Holiday with no car!
I've a feeling its going to be slightly, or perhaps ridiculously anti-social once fitted... my exhaust already pops, bangs and flashes...!
I dont mind really
Although to be fair - as has been pointed out on Nutz - the Cat thats in there may well be absolutely borked anyway.
bluetone said:
Everything you ever wanted to know about MX5/Eunos emissions
Registered between 1st August 1st 1992 and July 31st 1995 - A Roadster with a fully functioning, well maintained engine management system with the engine at normal operating temperature will be able to meet these limits even with a decat pipe fitted.
HTH
So, if i'm reading that correctly, a UK car built in 1995 with a good engine should still pass the emissions test even with a cat bypass fitted. However if it does fail the initial emissions test, then further tests will be performed which it will definitely fail.Registered between 1st August 1st 1992 and July 31st 1995 - A Roadster with a fully functioning, well maintained engine management system with the engine at normal operating temperature will be able to meet these limits even with a decat pipe fitted.
HTH
Interesting...
snotrag said:
I've just spoke to MX5 parts and ordered a cat-bypass anyway with guaranteed next day delivery.
I've a feeling its going to be slightly, or perhaps ridiculously anti-social once fitted... my exhaust already pops, bangs and flashes...!
Would be interested to know how you get on with this, and whether it is loud, improves throttle response etc.etcI've a feeling its going to be slightly, or perhaps ridiculously anti-social once fitted... my exhaust already pops, bangs and flashes...!
trooperiziz said:
So, if i'm reading that correctly, a UK car built in 1995 with a good engine should still pass the emissions test even with a cat bypass fitted. However if it does fail the initial emissions test, then further tests will be performed which it will definitely fail.
Interesting...
UK cars manufactured after 1st August 1992 have to pass the Basic Emissions Test (BET) and with a CAT fitted, they should pass. Without a CAT, they will fail.Interesting...
For Eunos/Roadsters the rules are more lax as they don't appear on the MOT testers book/system.
ETA - I wish I'd had this information before buying my '96 MX5!!!
Edited by bluetone on Thursday 1st April 08:29
AFAIK
The way it works is to do with the computerised system. The whole of the MOT is 'guided' along by the computer, you'll see it next to any MOT test bay. it makes sure the whole test is carried out and the tester checks off each step as he does it. The MOT tester sees an MX5 - he loads up the correct test for a UK MX5 - ie a CAT test for a post 92 car.
If you have a Eunos Roadster, pre 95, and he inputs it as a MX5 - thats wrong - flag it up. Your car is not an MX5 and you should challenge this.
If you have a Eunos, and he tries to enter that into the system, there are no details as to what the correct emissions test should be - hence - it gets the more lax test.
The confusion for mine came because my V5 (which could be your 'proof' of the car not being an MX5) and the previous MOTS dont say 'Mazda MX5, nor do they say 'Eunos Roadster'. Mine says - 'Mazda Roadster' iirc.
RE the cat bypass - as I said, my car already sounds pretty fruity, so it could go one of two ways. Either...
- because my cars already loud, and the cat was the oldest remaining part and was probably knackered anyway, it wont make much difference
- because my cars already loud, it will now be comically loud (too loud?)
I'll let you know.
The way it works is to do with the computerised system. The whole of the MOT is 'guided' along by the computer, you'll see it next to any MOT test bay. it makes sure the whole test is carried out and the tester checks off each step as he does it. The MOT tester sees an MX5 - he loads up the correct test for a UK MX5 - ie a CAT test for a post 92 car.
If you have a Eunos Roadster, pre 95, and he inputs it as a MX5 - thats wrong - flag it up. Your car is not an MX5 and you should challenge this.
If you have a Eunos, and he tries to enter that into the system, there are no details as to what the correct emissions test should be - hence - it gets the more lax test.
The confusion for mine came because my V5 (which could be your 'proof' of the car not being an MX5) and the previous MOTS dont say 'Mazda MX5, nor do they say 'Eunos Roadster'. Mine says - 'Mazda Roadster' iirc.
RE the cat bypass - as I said, my car already sounds pretty fruity, so it could go one of two ways. Either...
- because my cars already loud, and the cat was the oldest remaining part and was probably knackered anyway, it wont make much difference
- because my cars already loud, it will now be comically loud (too loud?)
I'll let you know.
bluetone said:
trooperiziz said:
So, if i'm reading that correctly, a UK car built in 1995 with a good engine should still pass the emissions test even with a cat bypass fitted. However if it does fail the initial emissions test, then further tests will be performed which it will definitely fail.
Interesting...
UK cars manufactured after 1st August 1992 have to pass the Basic Emissions Test (BET) and with a CAT fitted, they should pass. Without a CAT, they will fail.Interesting...
For Eunos/Roadsters the rules are more lax as they don't appear on the MOT testers book/system.
ETA - I wish I'd had this information before buying my '96 MX5!!!
Edited by bluetone on Thursday 1st April 08:29
Well yet another quality piece of kit from MX5parts. Like their cat-backs - I'm really impressed with the quality and value of these ownbrand pieces they do. Manufactured by ILmotorsports in Germany. And its the little touches that count, like being supplied with new gaskets and nice stainless steel hardware for both ends.
However I can't see this 'silenced bypass pipe' doing much silencing...!
I'm going to be expecting to be well up the Christmas card list for MX5parts and Autolink next year given how much stuff I've bought this winter!
However - both companies are a credit to themselves and I've had consistent, fantastic, prompt service from both, and always been kept up to date with any potential issues etc. So well donw to those two.
However I can't see this 'silenced bypass pipe' doing much silencing...!
I'm going to be expecting to be well up the Christmas card list for MX5parts and Autolink next year given how much stuff I've bought this winter!
However - both companies are a credit to themselves and I've had consistent, fantastic, prompt service from both, and always been kept up to date with any potential issues etc. So well donw to those two.
snotrag said:
Well yet another quality piece of kit from MX5parts. Like their cat-backs - I'm really impressed with the quality and value of these ownbrand pieces they do. Manufactured by ILmotorsports in Germany. And its the little touches that count, like being supplied with new gaskets and nice stainless steel hardware for both ends.
Nice. I hope the fit is OK - the last replacement CAT I got from them was a biatch to fit and needed generous amounts of liquid gasket 
care to copy/paste the bit you're referring-to?Snotrag - are you still heading to malton on Sunday Am? I have to be back for lunch but it looks like you were planning on meeting early enough for me to make a round trip.
Where are you planning on meeting if your still going ahead?
Assuming you get everything fixed....
Where are you planning on meeting if your still going ahead?
Assuming you get everything fixed....
Edited by Dan_1981 on Thursday 1st April 20:31
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