Discussion
My sister is in the process of buying a used Eunos, it has a few minor faults and I wondered how difficult they will be to put right. I'm a fairly proficient DIYer so would like to save her the cost of paying someone to fix them:
1. Release cable for fuel cap has come off the cap mechanism (cap can be opened with your finger on the inside of boot)
2. Passenger side headlamp when popped up, vibrates slightly (the whole unit not just the lens)
3. Steering wheel off centre and indicators do not self-cancel (not an OEM wheel, seller says that the last owner didn't install it correctly. I don't think its had a bump and knocked the tracking out). Looks to me as though its just badly installed.
4. Driver's side door has dropped very slightly
5. Roof has a minor tear (1/2 inch) just below the window
6. Driver's side mirror case cracked and trim between glass and case missing
The other thing is that the aircon is apparently non-functional. I will ask her to take it to an aircon specialist for that, could just need a refill, but it could be a fuse, relay, faulty clutch, etc.
1. Release cable for fuel cap has come off the cap mechanism (cap can be opened with your finger on the inside of boot)
2. Passenger side headlamp when popped up, vibrates slightly (the whole unit not just the lens)
3. Steering wheel off centre and indicators do not self-cancel (not an OEM wheel, seller says that the last owner didn't install it correctly. I don't think its had a bump and knocked the tracking out). Looks to me as though its just badly installed.
4. Driver's side door has dropped very slightly
5. Roof has a minor tear (1/2 inch) just below the window
6. Driver's side mirror case cracked and trim between glass and case missing
The other thing is that the aircon is apparently non-functional. I will ask her to take it to an aircon specialist for that, could just need a refill, but it could be a fuse, relay, faulty clutch, etc.
Of those, I imagine the aircon will be the biggest headache to fix. The early (pre-1995?) cars were filled with R12 which is no longer legal. Newer cars have R134 but I don't think you can just regas a R12 car with R134, there's some other work needed IIRC. If it's arelay or something, they're easily replaced. The compressor is prone to clutch problems and replacement is a more difficult job (and, I think, also involves draining the system so still leaves the problem of refilling).
As for the hood, a repair should be straight forward. Replacement is also possible to do yourself but good instructions help a lot! You don't have to replace the entire hood, you can buy the window section and zip it in. If the zipper on the current hood is embossed 'MX-5' you should be able to fit a new window section.
Not sure how difficult the fuel flap problem would be to rectify, I've never had a problem with one. I imagine it's an easy job but might be made more difficult if access is awkward.
I would imagine the mirror just needs replacing - a visit to a scrappy should fix that, you might be able to pick up an original steering wheel and the self-cancelling bits too.
Door adjustment is simple enough - just support with a jack, loosen the bolts, jack up slightly, retighten the bolts. Just repeat until you're happy with it.
As for the hood, a repair should be straight forward. Replacement is also possible to do yourself but good instructions help a lot! You don't have to replace the entire hood, you can buy the window section and zip it in. If the zipper on the current hood is embossed 'MX-5' you should be able to fit a new window section.
Not sure how difficult the fuel flap problem would be to rectify, I've never had a problem with one. I imagine it's an easy job but might be made more difficult if access is awkward.
I would imagine the mirror just needs replacing - a visit to a scrappy should fix that, you might be able to pick up an original steering wheel and the self-cancelling bits too.
Door adjustment is simple enough - just support with a jack, loosen the bolts, jack up slightly, retighten the bolts. Just repeat until you're happy with it.
Edited by risotto on Monday 16th April 11:44
Thanks.
One more thing, this was a 1.6 with a cat. Not too powerful but I think its more than enough for my sister to enjoy.
With the bonnet up and the engine running, I revved it gently using the business end of the cable, and detected an extremely faint 'chirpchirpchirp' sound at low rpm (probably less than 1000rpm), just above idle.
I have no idea if this is characteristic, it sounded a little like belt noise and in fact could have been anything. With the bonnet shut you would never even hear it. Its not an engine fault that I've heard before, which makes me think its normal and just a characteristic of the engine.
Is this anything to be concerned about? The engine pulled fine, no clatter, slight tappet noise, nothing sounded loose. The cambelt was apparently changed at 60,000 miles, its now at about 75,000. Perhaps it could be one of the belt accessories, the compressor for the AC perhaps?
One more thing, this was a 1.6 with a cat. Not too powerful but I think its more than enough for my sister to enjoy.
With the bonnet up and the engine running, I revved it gently using the business end of the cable, and detected an extremely faint 'chirpchirpchirp' sound at low rpm (probably less than 1000rpm), just above idle.
I have no idea if this is characteristic, it sounded a little like belt noise and in fact could have been anything. With the bonnet shut you would never even hear it. Its not an engine fault that I've heard before, which makes me think its normal and just a characteristic of the engine.
Is this anything to be concerned about? The engine pulled fine, no clatter, slight tappet noise, nothing sounded loose. The cambelt was apparently changed at 60,000 miles, its now at about 75,000. Perhaps it could be one of the belt accessories, the compressor for the AC perhaps?
Parrot of Doom said:
Thanks.
One more thing, this was a 1.6 with a cat. Not too powerful but I think its more than enough for my sister to enjoy.
With the bonnet up and the engine running, I revved it gently using the business end of the cable, and detected an extremely faint 'chirpchirpchirp' sound at low rpm (probably less than 1000rpm), just above idle.
I have no idea if this is characteristic, it sounded a little like belt noise and in fact could have been anything. With the bonnet shut you would never even hear it. Its not an engine fault that I've heard before, which makes me think its normal and just a characteristic of the engine.
Is this anything to be concerned about? The engine pulled fine, no clatter, slight tappet noise, nothing sounded loose. The cambelt was apparently changed at 60,000 miles, its now at about 75,000. Perhaps it could be one of the belt accessories, the compressor for the AC perhaps?
One more thing, this was a 1.6 with a cat. Not too powerful but I think its more than enough for my sister to enjoy.
With the bonnet up and the engine running, I revved it gently using the business end of the cable, and detected an extremely faint 'chirpchirpchirp' sound at low rpm (probably less than 1000rpm), just above idle.
I have no idea if this is characteristic, it sounded a little like belt noise and in fact could have been anything. With the bonnet shut you would never even hear it. Its not an engine fault that I've heard before, which makes me think its normal and just a characteristic of the engine.
Is this anything to be concerned about? The engine pulled fine, no clatter, slight tappet noise, nothing sounded loose. The cambelt was apparently changed at 60,000 miles, its now at about 75,000. Perhaps it could be one of the belt accessories, the compressor for the AC perhaps?
if it has a cat and is the 'lower' 90bhp engine are you sure its an import?
Perhaps Ive read too much into the engine from what youve said, but do you know bhp of it?
I thought they only used the detuned engine in UK cars...
Edited by princeperch on Monday 16th April 16:06
I asked the seller and he said it had a cat. Mind you he could have been wrong.
The car was registered here in Aug 1999, its a Mk1, built in 1993.
Apart from one or two bits and pieces, myself I thought it looked like a good'un. There wasn't a trace of rust anywhere. The gearbox is slick and works fine, brakes are spot on (tested them at speed), accelerates keenly.
The clutch bites quite high, but I haven't driven a manual for 18 months
I was quite happy with the condition. Theres always one or two minor things on a second hand car, but nothing serious. The only cause for concern I had was that slight engine noise, but again it was only audible on a small section of the rev range of the engine, and could well have been an accessory.
The car was registered here in Aug 1999, its a Mk1, built in 1993.
Apart from one or two bits and pieces, myself I thought it looked like a good'un. There wasn't a trace of rust anywhere. The gearbox is slick and works fine, brakes are spot on (tested them at speed), accelerates keenly.
The clutch bites quite high, but I haven't driven a manual for 18 months
I was quite happy with the condition. Theres always one or two minor things on a second hand car, but nothing serious. The only cause for concern I had was that slight engine noise, but again it was only audible on a small section of the rev range of the engine, and could well have been an accessory.
I had quite a bit of fun on the test drive It was all a bit crashy as it has stiffened suspension and a strut brace, but very direct feel, a tiny steering wheel, and an intimate knowledge of the size of the cracks in the road
Its made me think of buying one instead of another Chim when the time comes
It was all a bit crashy as it has stiffened suspension and a strut brace, but very direct feel, a tiny steering wheel, and an intimate knowledge of the size of the cracks in the road Its made me think of buying one instead of another Chim when the time comes
your chirp noise might be a belt. my car made no strange noise when i got it but a couple of hundred miles later i heard the noise you are describing (i think). not too long after, it started making the much more obvious much louder belt slipping noise. after buying the miata handbook (definitely a recommended book), i managed to sort out the tension in the belts and it has been fine for nearly 1000 miles now.
i may be very wrong though as i am new to fixing cars.
i may be very wrong though as i am new to fixing cars.
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