MK2 MX5 - What to look out for
Discussion
Hey guys,
I have noticed a tidy FSH MK2 MX5 not far from where I live, going for a good price and I'm thinking of having a quick look tomorrow.
I noticed in some adverts that some FSH cars have had to have 'replacement engines'. Is there something I should be aware of? I've looked in the PH buyers guide and it doesn't mention anything about terminal engine failure (aside from piston ring wear).
Many thanks,
Matt
I have noticed a tidy FSH MK2 MX5 not far from where I live, going for a good price and I'm thinking of having a quick look tomorrow.
I noticed in some adverts that some FSH cars have had to have 'replacement engines'. Is there something I should be aware of? I've looked in the PH buyers guide and it doesn't mention anything about terminal engine failure (aside from piston ring wear).
Many thanks,
Matt
Rot is your biggest issue. Sills and front chassis/ sub frame on mk2.
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/12811.aspx
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/12811.aspx
The engines are solid. They usually outlive the bodywork. I'm not aware of any issues with engines other than the very earliest Mk1 1.6 (89-90) which had a short-nose crank (Lightweight Sports Crank) which can suffer from wear is the sevicing hasn't been done just right.
On a Mk2 the main thing to look out for is rust at the rear of the sills and in the wheel arches. If there is any sign of rust at all, even if it's just a little bit of bubbling then it's likely to need a lot of work to sort it out as they usually rust from the inside out. What makes it worse is that the seat belt anchor point is very near the place where they generally rust in the sills and any rust at all within 6" of the seat belt anchor is an MoT fail.
Other than that, just make sure everything works, windows go up & down nicely, car runs well cold and hot, no mayo under the oil filler cap etc. i.e. the usual stuff.
On a Mk2 the main thing to look out for is rust at the rear of the sills and in the wheel arches. If there is any sign of rust at all, even if it's just a little bit of bubbling then it's likely to need a lot of work to sort it out as they usually rust from the inside out. What makes it worse is that the seat belt anchor point is very near the place where they generally rust in the sills and any rust at all within 6" of the seat belt anchor is an MoT fail.
Other than that, just make sure everything works, windows go up & down nicely, car runs well cold and hot, no mayo under the oil filler cap etc. i.e. the usual stuff.
The engines are very prone to warping if overheated. I had a radiator hose burst on me and didn't realise (there was no audible/prominent warning) and managed to warp the bottom end.
Still runs, but knocks and so it is refurbed engine time. Still, only £900 fitted, which isn't the end of the world considering the old one had 140k miles on it.
Still runs, but knocks and so it is refurbed engine time. Still, only £900 fitted, which isn't the end of the world considering the old one had 140k miles on it.
Very unusual to warp a bottom end through overheating. Usually its just a warped head and a blown head gasket. Being cast iron the blocks are pretty much bullet proof.
That's not so much an MX5 weakness though, any engine will have problems if it overheats. The weakness is more that they are prone to overheating due to a blocked radiator. They usually survive it if you notice early enough though.
That's not so much an MX5 weakness though, any engine will have problems if it overheats. The weakness is more that they are prone to overheating due to a blocked radiator. They usually survive it if you notice early enough though.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Very unusual to warp a bottom end through overheating. Usually its just a warped head and a blown head gasket. Being cast iron the blocks are pretty much bullet proof.
That's not so much an MX5 weakness though, any engine will have problems if it overheats. The weakness is more that they are prone to overheating due to a blocked radiator. They usually survive it if you notice early enough though.
That's the problem though - there was nothing to make me notice. Ok, the little gauge in the bottom right hand corner of the dash read the temperature correctly, but there's nothing to draw your attention yo it if you're say cruising on an A road/motorway. No warning light (that I saw), no beep.That's not so much an MX5 weakness though, any engine will have problems if it overheats. The weakness is more that they are prone to overheating due to a blocked radiator. They usually survive it if you notice early enough though.
I'd highly suggest fitting a cheap water temp gauge with audible beep to any MX-5 owner, if only to leave it in the glove compartment out of view so that any overheating that does occur is picked up early.
All it took was a small split in a 13 year old rubber hose and 10 minutes of not looking at the temp gauge and that's your engine cooked
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