Discussion
Hi, new to this section. I've recently bought a 1998 Mk1 1.8 MX-5, which is far from perfect, so expect some very dull questions from me!
First one, the rad has lost quite a lot of fins and judging by the greeny-blue residue, I'm guessing it is leaking. Prices vary hugely for new ones. Eurocarparts want £116 and there are a few on Ebay for £50-something pound delivered.
Are the ebay ones likely to be poor quality?
Second question, it could do with a new roof, it has tears above the door windows and leaks. Any recommendations for a new one? Happy to fit it myself. Also, the current one has a glass screen, its a pain unzipping it before lowering the roof, any major disadvantage to having a plastic one?
First one, the rad has lost quite a lot of fins and judging by the greeny-blue residue, I'm guessing it is leaking. Prices vary hugely for new ones. Eurocarparts want £116 and there are a few on Ebay for £50-something pound delivered.
Are the ebay ones likely to be poor quality?
Second question, it could do with a new roof, it has tears above the door windows and leaks. Any recommendations for a new one? Happy to fit it myself. Also, the current one has a glass screen, its a pain unzipping it before lowering the roof, any major disadvantage to having a plastic one?
Mx5 parts is one the place to go for new bits but MX5 Heaven and AutolinkUK also stock genuine parts plus they also have a stock of used bits, so always check them out. The main MX5 forums such as Nutz and the OC have for sale sections to keep an eye on. EBay can be good too. Nutz has an eBay finds section/thread so worth checking that out.
Your profile says you're in south Wales, Jack Smith trimmers in Swansea is one of the cheapest places about for mohair roofs, if that is what you want, and then it's a bit extra for you to have a glass screen put in. He does a great job.
Your profile says you're in south Wales, Jack Smith trimmers in Swansea is one of the cheapest places about for mohair roofs, if that is what you want, and then it's a bit extra for you to have a glass screen put in. He does a great job.
Some Mk1 plastic window roofs have had their rear window replaced with a panel with a glass window. These will still need to be unzipped.
Mk2 hoods have a glass rear window and do not need to be unzipped (indeed they don't even have a zip).
It is possible to convert the Mk1 hood frame to fold like a Mk2 hood using some extra straps. There will be a write-up somewhere.
Mk2 hoods have a glass rear window and do not need to be unzipped (indeed they don't even have a zip).
It is possible to convert the Mk1 hood frame to fold like a Mk2 hood using some extra straps. There will be a write-up somewhere.
Hi. Im also from south wales blackwood in fact and have a few mx5 and know them inside out if you need any help or a place to work on it I have a fully equipped workshop with ramp that you can use if needed.
After fitting the new rad fill the rad up with coolant leave the cap off and run it up to temperature the system will self bleed itself through the cap once all the air is out and a steadly flow of coolant comes out put the rad car back on and make sure it doesn't overheat and both top and bottom pipes are warm.
After fitting the new rad fill the rad up with coolant leave the cap off and run it up to temperature the system will self bleed itself through the cap once all the air is out and a steadly flow of coolant comes out put the rad car back on and make sure it doesn't overheat and both top and bottom pipes are warm.
MG CHRIS said:
Hi. Im also from south wales blackwood in fact and have a few mx5 and know them inside out if you need any help or a place to work on it I have a fully equipped workshop with ramp that you can use if needed.
After fitting the new rad fill the rad up with coolant leave the cap off and run it up to temperature the system will self bleed itself through the cap once all the air is out and a steadly flow of coolant comes out put the rad car back on and make sure it doesn't overheat and both top and bottom pipes are warm.
Thanks Chris, I may well take you up on that offer!After fitting the new rad fill the rad up with coolant leave the cap off and run it up to temperature the system will self bleed itself through the cap once all the air is out and a steadly flow of coolant comes out put the rad car back on and make sure it doesn't overheat and both top and bottom pipes are warm.
I fitted it this morning, nice and easy to work on. Old one had seen better days.
Took it for a short run with no issues. Then took it up to Brecon, heaters started cooling down, temp needle was creeping up. Pulled over just past Storey Arms and the OH ran away saying the car was on fire!!! Heater hose no.1 had let go! RAC came out and bodged it back together for me so I could get home!
Looks like a trip to Mazda for me tomorrow!
MX-5 Lazza said:
Some Mk1 plastic window roofs have had their rear window replaced with a panel with a glass window. These will still need to be unzipped.
Mk2 hoods have a glass rear window and do not need to be unzipped (indeed they don't even have a zip).
It is possible to convert the Mk1 hood frame to fold like a Mk2 hood using some extra straps. There will be a write-up somewhere.
Do you know if Mk1 roofs with glass are a bit lower in regards to the glass? I have one on my Mk. 2, with glass and a zip. When looking out the rear view mirror I can't see behind me properly as the glass is far down when the roof is up, so the vinyl above the glass obstructs it. It has a zip, which would also explain why it's not nearly as easy to lower as my old Mk. 2 roof! I guess it's the roof or someone has moved the mirror higher, but seem to remember it's not the easiest to do although you can change the "leg" it's mounted to.Mk2 hoods have a glass rear window and do not need to be unzipped (indeed they don't even have a zip).
It is possible to convert the Mk1 hood frame to fold like a Mk2 hood using some extra straps. There will be a write-up somewhere.
MX-5 Lazza said:
No idea mate. Also no idea why someone would retro-fit a Mk1 hood with a glass conversion onto a Mk2...
As for the rear view mirror, it should be on a short bar with a ball joint on each end so you should be able to make it a fair bit lower if you like.
Cost saving I would guess. So either Mk 1 or it's a cheap Mk.2 roof that has a zip. More I see of this car the more I'm learning the amount of crap the previous owner told me, and that they tried to save money on parts, As for the rear view mirror, it should be on a short bar with a ball joint on each end so you should be able to make it a fair bit lower if you like.
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