mkII 1.8 'tappetty'

[phil_cardiff]

My 1.8 mkII sounds a bit tappetty (for want of a better word), any ideas what this may be and possible cures/expense?

[anonymous-user]

The Mk2 changed from hydraulic to mechanical lifters, so checking valve clearances and shimming as appropriate is part of the service schedule. It's not something I've attempted yet, so can't advise as to the specifics I'm afraid.

[phil_cardiff]

That sounds potentially expensive.

The clattering isn't that bad, just a little bit diesel like and nobody wants that do they?!

[Munter]

I dont think it'll be very expensive. Some to ask about for the next service. However in the interests of asking silly questions You have chcked your oil level?

(I know it could be insulting but we've all spoken to people who never check it.)

[MX-5 Lazza]

The first thing to try would be an oil-flush and change to something of high quality i.e. Mobil 1.

[anonymous-user]

Lazza, as you have a Mk2, I bow to your experience, but how does an oil change affect mechanical lifters?

[phil_cardiff]

Cheers for the replies. I have checked the oil, I only picked her up on Tuesday and she'd just had an oil change. To be fair she doesn't sound that bad, just a bit less smooth than the Toyota twin cam engine I had previously. You can sort of hear a sewing machine like sound, particularly at 2250 revs.

[Munter]

phil_cardiff said:

Cheers for the replies. I have checked the oil, I only picked her up on Tuesday and she'd just had an oil change. To be fair she doesn't sound that bad, just a bit less smooth than the Toyota twin cam engine I had previously. You can sort of hear a sewing machine like sound, particularly at 2250 revs.

Simple solution Always rev above 2250. HTH

Or seriously I dont consider the MX5 engine to be the most ... refined ...

[Red Firecracker]

phil_cardiff said:

Cheers for the replies. I have checked the oil, I only picked her up on Tuesday and she'd just had an oil change. To be fair she doesn't sound that bad, just a bit less smooth than the Toyota twin cam engine I had previously. You can sort of hear a sewing machine like sound, particularly at 2250 revs.

MK1 or MK2 MR2? My MK2 1.8 is a definitely less refined engine (I feel) than the AW-11 in my old MK1 MR2's. Still a nice engine to use though.

[phil_cardiff]

It was actually a 1.6 afe in a Corolla. Say what you want about the car but that engine was bloody good.

My car is probably fine and I've just got a case of the 'new car nerves'. I'll save up and take it to the Mazda stealer next time a service is due and get them to give it the once over.

About time I learnt to be more mechanically minded too.

[MX-5 Lazza]

LexSport said:

Lazza, as you have a Mk2, I bow to your experience, but how does an oil change affect mechanical lifters?

It doesn't really affect the lifters in the same way as it does on a Mk1 but the valves, buckets etc can stick which will cause a rattle.
My mk2.5 rattles when the oil is getting old but I'm told that's the VVT rather than the tappets.

[anonymous-user]

There's a Mk2 head on my project car's engine, so if I ever get to start the bugger, I'll bear that in mind. Thanks!

[freerange7]

It may have had an oil change but what oil was used?
A 10w/40 is the common thing but a 10w/30 semi synthetic or a fully synthetic 5w/30 should be used.
If there are moving parts and the oil has burnt leaving a varnish on the surface this will stop lubrication of these aprts, creat hot spots and cause noise.
Common problem is the mistake of car owners thinking that a ficker oil will solve the problem, this will only make matters worse.
Mobil 1 suggested is a good oil but it is a 0w/40, great for a little track use but for fast road use the 5w/30 would be a better choice.

[skinny]

5W-30 is actually a bad choice - it doesn't have enough viscosity when hot due in part to the fact it's only a 30 grade oil but also it's a fuel economy grade mostly as it's a ford spec (also recently a VW spec). this means that it thins down more than a normal oil in the bearings to give you less viscous loss - but also less protection. check the back of the packs - 5W-30 oils will tend to be ACEA A1/B1 specs and carry ford 912B - non fuel economy oils are A3/B3/B4 which is the specification that the mx5 requires.

a 0W-40 like mobil 1 will be better in *all* circumstances

[MX-5 Lazza]

Back when Newbury Mazda were MX-5 specialists they would only use Mobil 1 0-40 in MX-5s.

[freerange7]

I can only offer an educated opinion from work in the oil industry, make your own mind up whether the 5w/30 is to "SKINNY" or not.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Skinny is also in the industry - from the other end, working for an F1 team

[skinny]

as an industry insider you should know that 5W-30 is *the* most common grade for fuel economy oils which just aren't recommended (AFAIK, possibly in the mk2 / mk3?) or required in the 5. as for my credentials on road car oils, i ran the castrol technical help line for a year, answering questions from people, dealerships, and workshops, about what oil to use in what car etc

here's opie oils pages on all their 5W-30 oils

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-653-5w-30.aspx

fuchs titan xtr 5W-30 ACEA A5/B5, Ford 913B spec
castrol magnatec 5W-30 ACEA A1/B1, Ford 913B
Motul 8100 5W-30 ACEA A5/B5
fuchs titan gt1 pro c-1 5W-30 ACEA A5/B5
Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 ACEA A3/B3/B4 but meets A5/B5
amsoil synthetic 5W-30 ACEA A5/B5

A1/B1 and A5/B5 are the fuel economy specifications which means that the oil has a low HTHS (high temperature high shear) simply meaning that it shears or thins down under conditions like bearings. this *will* give you less protection than a high HTHS oil, especially if the engine is not designed for it and i know my mk1 definitely isn't.

of course, there are non-FE 5W-30's but the average punter isn't going to check all the specs so a safer recommendation would be a 0W-40 / 5W-40 / 10W-40 as these are not FE oils. they will also give more protection at high temps owing to their more favorable viscosity.

[freerange7]

As i said the Mobil 1 0w/40 would be a good choice.

What grade do they use in the F1 cars and Moto GP bikes these days then?

[freerange7]

?
20grade?