Jemima - the cursed MX5
Discussion
Well, as well as the spinny washing machine, we also have a PH favourite in the ranks of our household.
So, here's Jemima.
The story:
A good while years ago , my long suffering accomplice agreed to enter into some sort of legal contract with me, and thus a big party was planned. She did all of the stuff that's kind of immaterial, like, venues, catering, rings, etc etc, and I did all of the practical stuff. Like spend money we really needed that I didn't really have on a bit of a silly present for her. She'd previously had 2 MX5's, a white early UK MK1 1.6(a wonderful little rotbox), and a 1994 Eunos R Ltd (which we nursed back to health from a bit of a state). She has to sell the R Ltd to get something a bit more practical (a DC2
) and regretted it ever since, so I thought I'd try and find her a bit of a pressy for the party.
Cue about 6 months of trying to find a white MK1 and failing dismally - they were all a compelte state. Then a friend of hers purchased a lovely MK2, and after a few rides, she realised how much she liked the more 'modern' (sic) interior.
Fat chance of getting a white one of those, I thought. Then I found one.
It wasn't perfect, but I thought it was a pretty good bet - only on 60k, but had been in teh country a while. So I bought it in the snow.
With nowhere to keep it out of her eyes, A friend in Stone agreed to look after her for the next 6 months, so, in absolutely dismal snowy weather the week before christmas 2009, a friend and I made the trip up the M6 and dropped her off. Fast forward 6 monhths, and the day was iminent, so I set off with a friend to pick her up, taking all manner of tools. And the 'performance' exhaust and uprated shock.spring setup I had bought for a car that wasn't mine. And an air filter from a speedboat.
Did she start? Did she 'eck. A whole heap of swearing, cursing, and kicking later, Alex and I gave up.
A week later I returned, armed with the power of internets, and a whole heap of sensors provided by that lovely man Craig @ Dyno Torque (genuine legend) from a car he'd recently gutted.
Long and short of it, it was either the crank or cam sensor that had expired (Alex kindly changed them both whilst I was off getting some bolt extractors to remove the locking wheel nuts we didn't have the key for).
So, back to Kenilworth, on with the Racing Beat wheels I had refurbed for her old car, and the day went swimmingly
Up to A-Line in Dudley to get everything pointing in the right direction, and then a few months later I fitted a TR Lane bar out of concern for her safety.
Bit of a faff and some wobbling about, but got it in eventually
She was then used for a good while, partly as my daily (not an entirely selfless gift, I guess!) until lots of lights came on on the dashboard. Time for electrical gremlins.
So, here's Jemima.
The story:
A good while years ago , my long suffering accomplice agreed to enter into some sort of legal contract with me, and thus a big party was planned. She did all of the stuff that's kind of immaterial, like, venues, catering, rings, etc etc, and I did all of the practical stuff. Like spend money we really needed that I didn't really have on a bit of a silly present for her. She'd previously had 2 MX5's, a white early UK MK1 1.6(a wonderful little rotbox), and a 1994 Eunos R Ltd (which we nursed back to health from a bit of a state). She has to sell the R Ltd to get something a bit more practical (a DC2
) and regretted it ever since, so I thought I'd try and find her a bit of a pressy for the party.Cue about 6 months of trying to find a white MK1 and failing dismally - they were all a compelte state. Then a friend of hers purchased a lovely MK2, and after a few rides, she realised how much she liked the more 'modern' (sic) interior.
Fat chance of getting a white one of those, I thought. Then I found one.
It wasn't perfect, but I thought it was a pretty good bet - only on 60k, but had been in teh country a while. So I bought it in the snow.
With nowhere to keep it out of her eyes, A friend in Stone agreed to look after her for the next 6 months, so, in absolutely dismal snowy weather the week before christmas 2009, a friend and I made the trip up the M6 and dropped her off. Fast forward 6 monhths, and the day was iminent, so I set off with a friend to pick her up, taking all manner of tools. And the 'performance' exhaust and uprated shock.spring setup I had bought for a car that wasn't mine. And an air filter from a speedboat.
Did she start? Did she 'eck. A whole heap of swearing, cursing, and kicking later, Alex and I gave up.
A week later I returned, armed with the power of internets, and a whole heap of sensors provided by that lovely man Craig @ Dyno Torque (genuine legend) from a car he'd recently gutted.
Long and short of it, it was either the crank or cam sensor that had expired (Alex kindly changed them both whilst I was off getting some bolt extractors to remove the locking wheel nuts we didn't have the key for).
So, back to Kenilworth, on with the Racing Beat wheels I had refurbed for her old car, and the day went swimmingly
Up to A-Line in Dudley to get everything pointing in the right direction, and then a few months later I fitted a TR Lane bar out of concern for her safety.
Bit of a faff and some wobbling about, but got it in eventually
She was then used for a good while, partly as my daily (not an entirely selfless gift, I guess!) until lots of lights came on on the dashboard. Time for electrical gremlins.
Cheers
Well, the rest of it (caution, lots of words):
Driving one day and the battery light came on. Nuts. Meter over the battery and it was reading a heady 17 volts. Regulator ahoy! A bit of googling revealed that, for some bizarre reason, Mazda saw fit to put half the current regulator circuitry in the ECU, meaning it was either alternator or ECU. I went for the cheap one.
About 2 months of arsed-less and one alternator later, she was fine. For about 15 miles. Then the light came on again :bigfatgrumpyface:
At that point, I got really annoyed and figured it can't be another duff alternator, so figured ECU. At the same time, I started pulling our house apart.
Fast forward about 14 months, and it's about 3 weeks ago
Due to the impending arrival of mini FD3Si, I needed to get her back on the road so my other half could use our E46. Cue new alternator (again, it was the cheap option).
Half an hour later, new alternator on, oil down each bore, turn over by hand, remove FP fuse, crank over a few times, fuse back in, and turn the key. She started first time, what a trooper! Purred away as if nothing had ever happened. Steady 14.4v at the battery.
For roughly a minute.
Then died.
Wouldn't even begin to catch - nada, nothing. Plugs were wet (more on this later), and there was a good spark. definitely compression due to the speed she was turning over as well.
Over the next 2 weeks I tried a crank sensor, cam sensor, numerous other things, and still nothing. Started scanning eBay for replacements, as time to the birth was getting considerably shorter.
Then a friend of a friend offered to come round and have a look - LR tech type person, very much of the old school. Did the basic checks, nothing. Looked at the plugs - definitely wet...
SAt around scratching, head. Removed the FP from the equation altogether as I unplugged it and cranked for a good while, then applied brake cleaner cautiously to the inlet.
Churn...churn...churn...catchurn..churn...catchurn...splutter...brrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmm!!
At this point, we disconnected the fuel feed to check for flow, and checked the plugs again.
Still reading? Now, if you remember, I said they were wet.
They were. With water.
I have a habit of leaving fuel caps from cars on top of them and then driving off at the petrol station after filling up. Well, I may have at some point done this in my wife's DC2. I then may have robbed the cap from her MX5 and put that in the DC2, as the '5 was laid up. And replaced it with a jam jar lid leant over the filler neck.
Well, it turns out this isn't air tight - who knew?
So I guess a combination of condensation, and possibly heavy rain not being able to drain away from around the cap fast enough and overflowing into the cap caused a rather heady emulsion of fuel and water to form in the tank :/
Fuel fed off, and about 3l of water came before about 1l of gunk, then what appeared to be actual fuel.
Reconnected, and suddenly, I have a working car!
Well, if you're still reading, here's your theoretical medal. You've probably lost the will to live as much as I had about a week ago.
This is how she stands now, then, a rather sorry frog from her former princess self.
Time for a wash, then MOT at the weekend. If she passes, then it's time for a hood that's not holes held together by fabric, a cambelt change that doesn't end in it being 2 teeth out, and a bit of a general tidy up.
If she fails (with rotten sills), then it's either a quick sale, or squirreling away and starting the MEV...
Thanks for your impressive patience.
Well, the rest of it (caution, lots of words):
Driving one day and the battery light came on. Nuts. Meter over the battery and it was reading a heady 17 volts. Regulator ahoy! A bit of googling revealed that, for some bizarre reason, Mazda saw fit to put half the current regulator circuitry in the ECU, meaning it was either alternator or ECU. I went for the cheap one.
About 2 months of arsed-less and one alternator later, she was fine. For about 15 miles. Then the light came on again :bigfatgrumpyface:
At that point, I got really annoyed and figured it can't be another duff alternator, so figured ECU. At the same time, I started pulling our house apart.
Fast forward about 14 months, and it's about 3 weeks ago
Due to the impending arrival of mini FD3Si, I needed to get her back on the road so my other half could use our E46. Cue new alternator (again, it was the cheap option).Half an hour later, new alternator on, oil down each bore, turn over by hand, remove FP fuse, crank over a few times, fuse back in, and turn the key. She started first time, what a trooper! Purred away as if nothing had ever happened. Steady 14.4v at the battery.
For roughly a minute.
Then died.
Wouldn't even begin to catch - nada, nothing. Plugs were wet (more on this later), and there was a good spark. definitely compression due to the speed she was turning over as well.
Over the next 2 weeks I tried a crank sensor, cam sensor, numerous other things, and still nothing. Started scanning eBay for replacements, as time to the birth was getting considerably shorter.
Then a friend of a friend offered to come round and have a look - LR tech type person, very much of the old school. Did the basic checks, nothing. Looked at the plugs - definitely wet...
SAt around scratching, head. Removed the FP from the equation altogether as I unplugged it and cranked for a good while, then applied brake cleaner cautiously to the inlet.
Churn...churn...churn...catchurn..churn...catchurn...splutter...brrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmm!!
At this point, we disconnected the fuel feed to check for flow, and checked the plugs again.
Still reading? Now, if you remember, I said they were wet.
They were. With water.
I have a habit of leaving fuel caps from cars on top of them and then driving off at the petrol station after filling up. Well, I may have at some point done this in my wife's DC2. I then may have robbed the cap from her MX5 and put that in the DC2, as the '5 was laid up. And replaced it with a jam jar lid leant over the filler neck.
Well, it turns out this isn't air tight - who knew?
So I guess a combination of condensation, and possibly heavy rain not being able to drain away from around the cap fast enough and overflowing into the cap caused a rather heady emulsion of fuel and water to form in the tank :/
Fuel fed off, and about 3l of water came before about 1l of gunk, then what appeared to be actual fuel.
Reconnected, and suddenly, I have a working car!
Well, if you're still reading, here's your theoretical medal. You've probably lost the will to live as much as I had about a week ago.
This is how she stands now, then, a rather sorry frog from her former princess self.
Time for a wash, then MOT at the weekend. If she passes, then it's time for a hood that's not holes held together by fabric, a cambelt change that doesn't end in it being 2 teeth out, and a bit of a general tidy up.
If she fails (with rotten sills), then it's either a quick sale, or squirreling away and starting the MEV...
Thanks for your impressive patience.
Cheers y'all!
Well, a quick scrub, and she flew through the first MOT in 2 years. Chuffed! Unfortunately I made the mistake of lowering the hood on the way back, which was the final signature in it's death warrant So guess I need to look for a replacement or find a decent supplier.
In the mean time, new cambelt, WP, and a variety of other service bits on their way - lets get her back to full health
Oh, and culprit of last few week's drama located:
And the drain hole that wasn't...
Chris: That MEV looks amazing! You're not helping my 'keep this as a normal daily and don't do anything silly' attitude Kudos
Well, a quick scrub, and she flew through the first MOT in 2 years. Chuffed! Unfortunately I made the mistake of lowering the hood on the way back, which was the final signature in it's death warrant
So guess I need to look for a replacement or find a decent supplier. In the mean time, new cambelt, WP, and a variety of other service bits on their way - lets get her back to full health
Oh, and culprit of last few week's drama located:
And the drain hole that wasn't...
Chris: That MEV looks amazing! You're not helping my 'keep this as a normal daily and don't do anything silly' attitude
Kudos Edited by FD3Si on Monday 4th March 13:04
oldpara said:
Is that your pea field you've parked and walked in?
Yes, it is. I own Warwickshire. All of it. I deliberately found the most densely and obviously cultivated part that one of the peasant landowners I rent out to was working his hardest to earn a crust from caring for, smashed the lock off the gate, and steamrollered my way in with my Japanese weapon of destruction. It was like Pearl Harbour. Except with more vegetables. I'm just an oafish brute, but those peons really fear me, so still pay me my levies.
Thanks others - the cap is now clean
In other news, as well as being a field parking troll, I am also a litterer - sorry Warwickshire County Council for the cloth tape that now scatters your roads. I need to find something better to cover up the patchwork of roof holes :/
Yes, it is. I own Warwickshire. All of it.
I deliberately found the most densely and obviously cultivated part that one of the peasant landowners I rent out to was working his hardest to earn a crust from caring for, smashed the lock off the gate, and steamrollered my way in with my Japanese weapon of destruction. It was like Pearl Harbour. Except with more vegetables. I'm just an oafish brute, but those peons really fear me, so still pay me my levies.
I was laughing all the while reading that.
Lovly MX, even if she is a little tatty, is it a UK car or an import? Don't think I've ever seen a white mk2.
I deliberately found the most densely and obviously cultivated part that one of the peasant landowners I rent out to was working his hardest to earn a crust from caring for, smashed the lock off the gate, and steamrollered my way in with my Japanese weapon of destruction. It was like Pearl Harbour. Except with more vegetables. I'm just an oafish brute, but those peons really fear me, so still pay me my levies.
I was laughing all the while reading that.Lovly MX, even if she is a little tatty, is it a UK car or an import? Don't think I've ever seen a white mk2.
4star said:
Yes, it is. I own Warwickshire. All of it.
I deliberately found the most densely and obviously cultivated part that one of the peasant landowners I rent out to was working his hardest to earn a crust from caring for, smashed the lock off the gate, and steamrollered my way in with my Japanese weapon of destruction. It was like Pearl Harbour. Except with more vegetables. I'm just an oafish brute, but those peons really fear me, so still pay me my levies.
I deliberately found the most densely and obviously cultivated part that one of the peasant landowners I rent out to was working his hardest to earn a crust from caring for, smashed the lock off the gate, and steamrollered my way in with my Japanese weapon of destruction. It was like Pearl Harbour. Except with more vegetables. I'm just an oafish brute, but those peons really fear me, so still pay me my levies.
I was laughing all the while reading that.Lovly MX, even if she is a little tatty, is it a UK car or an import? Don't think I've ever seen a white mk2.
ks.
see, if you'd have bought a red or blue one, that would fix for less than £100...
I suggest pull the bumper off, reshape all the (now squashed) foam and crash bar inside, and you may have to purchase a boot lid and get it painted if its bent... Unless its the panel behind the number plate thats bent, then get busy with the grips.
Proper bummer though. Rear ended or poor parking!?
I suggest pull the bumper off, reshape all the (now squashed) foam and crash bar inside, and you may have to purchase a boot lid and get it painted if its bent... Unless its the panel behind the number plate thats bent, then get busy with the grips.
Proper bummer though. Rear ended or poor parking!?
FD3Si said:
Yes, it is. I own Warwickshire. All of it.
I deliberately found the most densely and obviously cultivated part that one of the peasant landowners I rent out to was working his hardest to earn a crust from caring for, smashed the lock off the gate, and steamrollered my way in with my Japanese weapon of destruction. It was like Pearl Harbour. Except with more vegetables. I'm just an oafish brute, but those peons really fear me, so still pay me my levies.
I deliberately found the most densely and obviously cultivated part that one of the peasant landowners I rent out to was working his hardest to earn a crust from caring for, smashed the lock off the gate, and steamrollered my way in with my Japanese weapon of destruction. It was like Pearl Harbour. Except with more vegetables. I'm just an oafish brute, but those peons really fear me, so still pay me my levies.
snotrag said:
see, if you'd have bought a red or blue one, that would fix for less than £100...
I suggest pull the bumper off, reshape all the (now squashed) foam and crash bar inside, and you may have to purchase a boot lid and get it painted if its bent... Unless its the panel behind the number plate thats bent, then get busy with the grips.
Proper bummer though. Rear ended or poor parking!?
I know, finding white panels - not easy :/I suggest pull the bumper off, reshape all the (now squashed) foam and crash bar inside, and you may have to purchase a boot lid and get it painted if its bent... Unless its the panel behind the number plate thats bent, then get busy with the grips.
Proper bummer though. Rear ended or poor parking!?
Unfortunately the rear panel is bent. Bumper may pop back, crash bar is presumably knackered (is there a metal one behind there as well?)
It's going to e 'though his insurance' job for ease tbh. I now my policies will up slightly, but hopefully not too much. Pretty sure it'll be a financial write off, hopefully only a cat D, in which case I'll buy back, repair, and off I go. The car has too much sentimental value to just let it go. Plus it's only done 60k. Resale value is moot as we planned on running it into the ground anyway (with the state of the sills, that may only be a couple of years!)
I was used as a brake at a junction by an Avensis...
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