Preparing MX5 for long trip.. what preventative maintenance?

[buzzer]

If you were about to embark on a 3000 mile continental trip, what maintenance would you do on your MX5? its a 1994 1.6 import with less than 40K on the clock.

Plan is a full service and fluids change, new cam belt. I have a fully equipped workshop including a hoist and can do all the work myself so labour costs are not an issue.

Is there anything else you would do or change?

any advice appreciated guys...

[Riknos]

Tyres, brakes all good? Alignment? Clear drain holes & make sure roof is snug and the window seals don't need adjusting.

[heebeegeetee]

Might be worth popping the brake pads out all round and cleaning the crud and corrosion off all calipers. Otherwise what you're planning to do is spot on i reckon.

[buzzer]

yes, thanks... I will do the callipers, maybe take them off and bead blast them...

I may start a thread and post pictures as I go through the maintenance on it...

any other things I should do?

[snotrag]

It really depends on how the cars been maintained previously, but really you should have it covered. I would say - make sure you do the work and then have time to put at least a few hundred miles on the car before leaving on your trip, so you know id anyhtings gone wrong.

Far and away the number one cause of missing and poor running is leads from my experience, so stick a bog standard set of new leads and plugs on for another £30 or so, then properly setup the ignition timing with a light.


ETA Oh and check the clutch slave cylinder, as thats possibly the most likely thing to spoil your trip. Any sign of leaking or weeping, change it. There dirt cheap.

[Mr MXT]

If its not due a service in the next 3k miles, I probably wouldn't do anything other than check the brake pads.

[buzzer]

snotrag said:

It really depends on how the cars been maintained previously, but really you should have it covered. I would say - make sure you do the work and then have time to put at least a few hundred miles on the car before leaving on your trip, so you know id anyhtings gone wrong.

Far and away the number one cause of missing and poor running is leads from my experience, so stick a bog standard set of new leads and plugs on for another £30 or so, then properly setup the ignition timing with a light.


ETA Oh and check the clutch slave cylinder, as thats possibly the most likely thing to spoil your trip. Any sign of leaking or weeping, change it. There dirt cheap.

Thanks for the heads up on the slave cylinder... It was leaking!

[sunbeam alpine]

I changed my slave cylinder (it was also leaking) and a week later the master cylinder also went. Apparently this is quite common!