Uh oh. Headgasket?

[neil_bolton]

This morning, whilst jump starting the other MX5 in which the missus had kindly flattened the battery of by leaving an internal light on, I noticed my MX5 was throwing out a lot of white smoke out the back, and a fair bit of water from the exhaust.

I've also noticed it gurgling when the engine stops, which suggests to me it's not very healthy.

Is this just head gasket woes?

How much grief is it to change an engine in an MX5? I've spotted a cheap 1.6 engine, and I need to swap out my clutch, so I'm pondering whether its a possible project?

[_Batty_]

engine should be easy.
you checked the usual stuff fella? mayo, oil usage/water usage?
could just be alot of condensation.

[snotrag]

There not known for HG failure.

Make sure the coolant system is topped up with no big air locks.

RE the clutch - its doable at home, as long as you have nice big jackstands and decent tools. You'll need a mate to help though, the box comes right out.

We tried faffing about with a number of jacks, ropes etc to lift the box up, but at the end of the day, its far easier to just man up, lie one person either side and bench press it in.

Mine often gets quite a lot of condensation in the exhaust if its left for a couple of days.

[neil_bolton]

Any more helpful hints on the clutch?

I might just be overeacting on the water front, but will check it out.

[snotrag]

neil_bolton said:

Any more helpful hints on the clutch?.

Buy the Rod Grainger manual. Its invaluable.
Buy a 3 part clutch kit, plus a spigot bearing, for less than £100 IIRC from autolink.

Basically -

Centre console and shifter assembly comes out.

Whole exhaust comes off at the manifold/downpipe join. This is where I got stuck - as aftermarket manifolds are all one piece so it had to be undone at the head.

The PPF then unbolts from the diff and gearbox - you dont have to remove it but pull it out the way to the side. Then the propshaft comes out. Gearbox will leak oil now. Then undo all the bell housing bolts. Most are easy with a good selection of extensions and ratchets.

Theres two at the top that you can get to by removing the coil pack and going in from the top with spanners.

Various cables, brackets, earth straps etc that are detailed in the manual.

Manhandle gearbox off. Take it out of car (n.b. this is why you MUST make sure you've got the car a good height off the ground, and level - so you can slide the box out).

I pressure washed it, gave it a good clean etc - theres oil seals at each end you can replace if you so desire.

Remove old clutch, remove flywheel from car. Give flywheel a good clean, check for oil leaking from rear seal on crank.
Replace spigot/nose bearing in flywheel - jsut pushes in.
Refit flywheel - fit clutch - align using proper tool or more likely a combination of sticking your finger in and arguinh with your helper.

Refill gearbox with new oil.

Bench press gearbox into position, once tow or 3 bolts are in it will hold. Reassemble everything.

Change the Diff oil while your down there aswell - its miles easier to do this with the exhaust off as then you dont have to mess about with tubes and pumps to refill it.

Change and rebleed the slave cylinder (these are cheaper at mx5parts) if its not been done recently.

Reset clutch pedal lash.


Thats a very quick and dirty outline off the top of my head and I've probably not got it entirely correct - but its certainly DIY-able with the book and plenty of time.

I did mine, slowly over the course of a weekend - probably 10 hours or so, but I did have a nightmare with my aftermarket manifold.

Bear in mind there is a special tightening/alignment/measuring sequence that needs to be done regarding the PPF and the diff/box.

Edited by snotrag on Monday 10th May 12:29

[_Batty_]

worth being a sticky Neil?

[MX-5 Lazza]

_Batty_ said:

worth being a sticky Neil?

Would need a different thread title

[neil_bolton]