Post by George MX-5 (Admin) on Jul 6, 2015 18:21:04 GMT 2
Hello all
Please note this is not an exact science and just how often I do maintenance on my Mazda MX-5 (applies to most cars of today)
Regular Maintenance
Oil and filter every 10000-15000km.
Rotate tires every 120000km depending on how you drive ... or drift
4 wheel alignment every 25000 ]km.
Stock air filter every 25000km.
Wiper inserts/blades every 25000km or sooner if you see they have worn out.
I change my spark plugs every 25000km. (Stock plugs are good for about 30000km) usually do it every 18 months or so depending on how often i drive the car.
50000KM Maintenance
Let's look at the 50000km maintenance.
Do a tune up and change; fuel filter, brake/clutch fluid flush and coolant flush.
I would also change the transmission and differential fluids. Change to red line (imported) and replace every 90000km.
Re-Gas aircon if it isn't cooling as it used to.
Note: It's been found in racing applications that the Torsion differential had problems with metal fragments. The cure was to change the fluid after the first 100 miles or so. Not bad advice for any new car, I would change the transmission fluid at this time also.
Ignition wires, before 75000km.
100000KM Maintenance
This brings us to the 100000km maintenance. The "Big One". Assuming all maintenance has been done on the car to date, this is what to expect.
A full tune-up and fluid change, including the brake and clutch fluid.
Suspension and brakes should be checked. (A good time to think of replacing those old shocks!) The MX-5 should have Bilstein shocks. Good replacements include Koni and Tokico.
Four wheel alignment.
All the belts. If money is tight, the timing belt could wait but don't wait too long (no more than 120000km). You do stand the risk of being stranded if the belt breaks. If the belt breaks, there should do no further damage to the engine, (this engine is a non interference type) but it will not run.
When the timing belt is replaced, be sure to have the camshafts and crankshaft seals replaced. This is a job for someone that will stand by their work. It is very easy to scratch the surface of the shafts when pulling the old seals out. If this happens, the new seals will leak and could be expensive to repair. Be sure the crankshaft bolt is cleaned, and Loctite is used along with the correct torque.
When the timing belt is being replaced, be sure to have the water pump checked for leakage. The water pump is mounted inside the timing belt area. If the water pump has to be replaced, the timing belt has to be taken off to gain access to the pump. Best to check it when the belt is off the car, if it is leaking, it can be replaced for a lot less labour at this time.
When a timing belt is replaced, the valve cover gasket should also be renewed. (The valve cover has to be removed to replace the belt.)
The timing has to be adjusted after doing a timing belt, so if you have a preferred spec (14 deg, 18 deg) this can be done at this time. Also, if you are running a setting other than stock, be sure the technician working on the car is aware of it, or he may put it back to a stock setting.
Remember that your MX-5 is chain drive and does not have a cambelt (usually changed around 300000km so don't let a mechanic rip you off)
Finding A Shop
As i have said in my other posts, i have only owned the MX-5 since 6 May 2015, I haven't been around to look for a technician, mechanic or auto-electrician.
If you know of any you trust with your cars, please post details below
Finding a shop. I guess it's like picking any other service, (Doctor, Lawyer, Hairstylist) word of mouth is the best indicator, letting people with like tastes and expectations help guide you to a shop that will suite your needs.
What to look for when searching for a repair shop for your MX-5 ;
Looks are deceiving but on the whole, a clean shop would be better than a grease pit. (Not always true, but someone that has pride in their work, usually has pride in their shops appearance.)
A well equipped shop is a must. For example, any shop can have a tire machine, but is it the type that will not destroy the rim of a mag wheel trying to get these new low profile tires mounted?
Can you talk to the technician working on your car directly? Or do you have to try and communicate with a go between, and hope the information reaches the person doing the work on your car?
Are they knowledgeable of your car? (Better yet, do they own one?)
Do they have access to information on your car? (Manuals, CD system etc.)
Are they certified technicians? (ASE, Mazda etc.)
Will they stand behind their work?
The best place to find these answers is through our local forum (which I am trying to re-vamp and get going). We have a whole network of people and most will be willing to tell us or share about their favorite repair shop(s), also the places to steer clear from.
Hope this helps and we can get this forum and MX-5 owners group going again.
Please note this is not an exact science and just how often I do maintenance on my Mazda MX-5 (applies to most cars of today)
Regular Maintenance
Oil and filter every 10000-15000km.
Rotate tires every 120000km depending on how you drive ... or drift
4 wheel alignment every 25000 ]km.
Stock air filter every 25000km.
Wiper inserts/blades every 25000km or sooner if you see they have worn out.
I change my spark plugs every 25000km. (Stock plugs are good for about 30000km) usually do it every 18 months or so depending on how often i drive the car.
50000KM Maintenance
Let's look at the 50000km maintenance.
Do a tune up and change; fuel filter, brake/clutch fluid flush and coolant flush.
I would also change the transmission and differential fluids. Change to red line (imported) and replace every 90000km.
Re-Gas aircon if it isn't cooling as it used to.
Note: It's been found in racing applications that the Torsion differential had problems with metal fragments. The cure was to change the fluid after the first 100 miles or so. Not bad advice for any new car, I would change the transmission fluid at this time also.
Ignition wires, before 75000km.
100000KM Maintenance
This brings us to the 100000km maintenance. The "Big One". Assuming all maintenance has been done on the car to date, this is what to expect.
A full tune-up and fluid change, including the brake and clutch fluid.
Suspension and brakes should be checked. (A good time to think of replacing those old shocks!) The MX-5 should have Bilstein shocks. Good replacements include Koni and Tokico.
Four wheel alignment.
All the belts. If money is tight, the timing belt could wait but don't wait too long (no more than 120000km). You do stand the risk of being stranded if the belt breaks. If the belt breaks, there should do no further damage to the engine, (this engine is a non interference type) but it will not run.
When the timing belt is replaced, be sure to have the camshafts and crankshaft seals replaced. This is a job for someone that will stand by their work. It is very easy to scratch the surface of the shafts when pulling the old seals out. If this happens, the new seals will leak and could be expensive to repair. Be sure the crankshaft bolt is cleaned, and Loctite is used along with the correct torque.
When the timing belt is being replaced, be sure to have the water pump checked for leakage. The water pump is mounted inside the timing belt area. If the water pump has to be replaced, the timing belt has to be taken off to gain access to the pump. Best to check it when the belt is off the car, if it is leaking, it can be replaced for a lot less labour at this time.
When a timing belt is replaced, the valve cover gasket should also be renewed. (The valve cover has to be removed to replace the belt.)
The timing has to be adjusted after doing a timing belt, so if you have a preferred spec (14 deg, 18 deg) this can be done at this time. Also, if you are running a setting other than stock, be sure the technician working on the car is aware of it, or he may put it back to a stock setting.
Remember that your MX-5 is chain drive and does not have a cambelt (usually changed around 300000km so don't let a mechanic rip you off)
Finding A Shop
As i have said in my other posts, i have only owned the MX-5 since 6 May 2015, I haven't been around to look for a technician, mechanic or auto-electrician.
If you know of any you trust with your cars, please post details below
Finding a shop. I guess it's like picking any other service, (Doctor, Lawyer, Hairstylist) word of mouth is the best indicator, letting people with like tastes and expectations help guide you to a shop that will suite your needs.
What to look for when searching for a repair shop for your MX-5 ;
Looks are deceiving but on the whole, a clean shop would be better than a grease pit. (Not always true, but someone that has pride in their work, usually has pride in their shops appearance.)
A well equipped shop is a must. For example, any shop can have a tire machine, but is it the type that will not destroy the rim of a mag wheel trying to get these new low profile tires mounted?
Can you talk to the technician working on your car directly? Or do you have to try and communicate with a go between, and hope the information reaches the person doing the work on your car?
Are they knowledgeable of your car? (Better yet, do they own one?)
Do they have access to information on your car? (Manuals, CD system etc.)
Are they certified technicians? (ASE, Mazda etc.)
Will they stand behind their work?
The best place to find these answers is through our local forum (which I am trying to re-vamp and get going). We have a whole network of people and most will be willing to tell us or share about their favorite repair shop(s), also the places to steer clear from.
Hope this helps and we can get this forum and MX-5 owners group going again.
) I have hired the Rock Race way this Saturday 24 June, if you would like to come onto the track and use the strip you are welcomed to will be R300 per person.