MK 2 MX5 New engine

Author
Discussion

Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Thursday 25th July 2019
quotequote all
I have a 10 yr old MX5 with just under 53000 on the clock. Engine recently been pinking and just taken into Mazda garage. Have just been told I need a new engine at a cost of around £6000. I paid a lot less than this for the car a year ago and I'm totally gutted. Can't bear to scrap her. I am no car expert and wondered if there is a cheaper way around this. Recon engine or similar. If anyone can recommend somewhere in the Manchester area I'd be very grateful. Thankyou

996TT02

3,308 posts

139 months

Thursday 25th July 2019
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Why does it need a "new engine" ? The circumstances are very limited and would be related to extreme abuse, running without oil, or water, that sort of thing. Other than that if this is really true, an engine from a scrapper is the way to go.

buzzer

3,533 posts

239 months

Thursday 25th July 2019
quotequote all
As above, if the engine really is scrap, there are loads of good second hand MK2 engines around, mainly because they are a robust engine and the front chassis rail problem is killing a lot of cars.

in fact, before you do anything, make sure that someone looks at the front rails on yours before you chuck any money at it...

Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Thursday 25th July 2019
quotequote all
Thankyou for the replies. My husband noticed that the oil was very low and put some more oil. Problem is that it didn't cure the noise and started misfiring. We just took it to the nearest Mazda garage to have it checked so haven't got the full report back yet. I know nothing about cars but she seemed to be running fine until about a week ago when there was some slight pinking. I'm far more emotional over this car over any that I've ever had and can't bear to scrap her

finishing touch

808 posts

166 months

Thursday 25th July 2019
quotequote all
I bought a mk 2.5 with a seized engine (stone hit rad and was ran with no water) and bought a 60k engine from a scrappy on ebay for £370.
Came with car reg & VIN so history could be verified.

Oil, coolant, filters, belts, plugs, window mech, rad, etc. Total £850 spent (not including purchase) with a years ticket.
A couple of days work but made a nice profit. Wish I could find one every week.


If your cars 10 years old it might well be a mk3 btw. wink The NC is renowned for low oil problems. Keep them just above max.

Don't go for a new engine on a ten year old car.

Paul G

Edited by finishing touch on Thursday 25th July 17:29


Edited by finishing touch on Thursday 25th July 17:32

Jamescrs

4,450 posts

64 months

Thursday 25th July 2019
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If your car is 10 years old it's most likely a Mk3 not a Mk2 which finished in 2005.

If it is a Mk2 theres loads of engines available through various Facebook group owners pages for less than a grand, I would imagine the same applies to a Mk3

Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Friday 26th July 2019
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Thanks for further replies. Apologies couldn't reply sooner. Newbies were blocked from posting last night for some reason. My car is indeed a MK 3! Therein lies my problem! I know nothing about cars and reliant on someone knowledgeable and not trying to fleece me. My husband expressed an interest in a brand new one at the garage. Could this have any bearing on them saying my engine is beyond repairing?

griffdude

1,819 posts

247 months

Friday 26th July 2019
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I know nothing about MK3 engines but 6000 for a new engine is absolutely fanciful. Join the owners club & they should be able to help with a local specialist.

I’ve used Blink Motorsport who are in Winsford (about 30 miles from Manchester) & have a national reputation as MX5 specialists, albeit with a leaning towards making these great little cars go really quickly.

tr7v8

7,186 posts

227 months

Friday 26th July 2019
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Mk3 engines are expensive, big demand as people run them low on oil & do the crankshaft. My local indy does loads & it is a fairly involved swap. BUt no way would I touch a main dealer for it go to an independent MX5 specialist as suggested.

Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Friday 26th July 2019
quotequote all
Just had an update from garage:

"Engine is burning oil excessively internally and coming out of the exhaust, suspected piston ring failure, serious engine repair needed , or a new engine may be a better option"

Any idea of cost of repair from an independent repair shop?

designforlife

3,734 posts

162 months

Friday 26th July 2019
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cost of second hand Mx5 NC engine plus labour.... probably somewhere between £1-3k all in if you use an independant garage.

Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Friday 26th July 2019
quotequote all
Thankyou for that. I'll make some enquiries now and see if I can get some estimates. Once again thankyou for all your responses. She's the first car I've had that's my very own, owned her a year and just love her to bits! I'll see what I come up with otherwise will have to buy a new car! Your comments on here have been very useful.

The3rdDukeofB

284 posts

58 months

Friday 26th July 2019
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For certain if you have the time seek one of the independent MX5 specialists.
Mazda main dealers are laregly incapable of any actual mechanical work as with most main dealers.

They always prefer to replace.
Saves them getting hands dirty and oil on the floor of the laboratory like workshops smile


Whereabouts are you in the country ?

Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Friday 26th July 2019
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I'm in South Manchester. Just been quoted about £1500. Opinions please. Is it worth doing this on a 13 year old car? Everything else on it is OK. It is currently stuck in a Mazda garage. They will give me £3000 PE against a brand new one. I can only keep it there for a week before they'll say it has to go elsewhere. If I have it fixed then at least I won't be pressured into getting a new one straight away. Any advice on pros and cons? I'd prefer not to buy brand new really as I'd generally go for one 2 or 3 years old.

designforlife

3,734 posts

162 months

Friday 26th July 2019
quotequote all
If it were me, i would fix it... £1500 is very reasonable and not even that much money in the grand scheme of car maintenance, i've spent a lot more on repairing much older cars!

Depends what your car buying and maintenance ethos is really i suppose.

If it is otherwise good condition, then the devil you know is generally going to be the financially safer option... with new used cars come potential problems, whereas your NC is a known quantity.

Just make sure whoever does the engine swap is competent and willing to warranty and gurantee the work to a reasonable extent.



Edited by designforlife on Friday 26th July 15:40

The3rdDukeofB

284 posts

58 months

Saturday 27th July 2019
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Helsbels1960 said:
I'm in South Manchester. Just been quoted about £1500. Opinions please. Is it worth doing this on a 13 year old car? Everything else on it is OK. It is currently stuck in a Mazda garage. They will give me £3000 PE against a brand new one. I can only keep it there for a week before they'll say it has to go elsewhere. If I have it fixed then at least I won't be pressured into getting a new one straight away. Any advice on pros and cons? I'd prefer not to buy brand new really as I'd generally go for one 2 or 3 years old.
Is that £1500 from Mazda for a full repair ?
With a warranty?

Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Sunday 28th July 2019
quotequote all
No it's from another garage. 1500 +VAT. Will cost me 400 just to strip it down and see if it can be done. Just thinking about it over the weekend and will make a decision tomorrow!

buzzer

3,533 posts

239 months

Sunday 28th July 2019
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Helsbels1960 said:
No it's from another garage. 1500 +VAT. Will cost me 400 just to strip it down and see if it can be done. Just thinking about it over the weekend and will make a decision tomorrow!
in view of your previous comment...

"Engine is burning oil excessively internally and coming out of the exhaust, suspected piston ring failure, serious engine repair needed , or a new engine may be a better option"

I would be quite cautions about spending £400 to strip it down. it sounds serious, engine parts and labour is expensive, and to be honest its a skilled job, and many "mechanics" simply don't have those skills anymore... don't assume that when its fixed it will be OK...

I think a good second hand engine would be better... Or, get it home, pop it on Ebay with an honest description and take the hit on it. you may be surprised what it will go for!



Helsbels1960

Original Poster:

12 posts

56 months

Sunday 28th July 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice. I really think my heart is ruling my head on this and all the advice on here is really helping me. Just off out to see another used MX5 for sale . Hoping this will help me get a better view on things! Will update later.

drgoatboy

1,611 posts

206 months

Sunday 28th July 2019
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Google roddisons mx5. They replace loads of engines and sell the occasional car too. They are in Sheffield but well worth the travel.
Give them a ring and they will probably give you ideas on price. They may be interested in buying your car with a dead engine too.