Cutting out when cold

[fabfiveferg]

Is it the same as this?

http://www.mx5ireland.com/forum_moved/viewtopic.php?t=1597&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

[Steve]

Yup, same issue, you should contact Ger, he is doing the Loctite fix.

[K10]

The right solution to this would proabably be to get a new key made up by an engineering works only issue is that I would need to bring the (now immobile) crankshaft to them for measurement.

So, heres all the info I could find, for reference for anyone who has this problem in future.

Info on which Mazdas are affected (only up to mid-late 1991 - info on VIN cutoff). The problem was earlier models were fitted with a light weight sports crankshaft (LWSC). Thanks Mazda.
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/p/352/559.aspx

More good info on the problem:
http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html

The right fix - stepped key, new bolt.
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/819.aspx

Various causes have been suggested - production tolerances, bolt working loose, woodruff key fitted wrong way round).

http://www.fizzindi.demon.co.uk/crankshaft.htm

Mazda introduced a permanent fix (new crankshaft), but also a short term fix (this is not for sure, but there seems to be a slightly different key with a different part number, the problem is some people suggest that a slightly longer crankshaft nose was also used).

The "Loctite fix". I think this is what I'm going to try to do.
http://www.miata.net/garage/hsue/LoctiteCrank1.html

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showpost.php?p=1185173&postcount=30

It seems that this fix is a proper one, and will last long term - the only issue is that dissassembly will be a problem. I will replace the crank seal, which should have a life of about 100k miles, then I'll worry about disassembly.

So - shopping list for today is:
Crank bolt
Crank pulley
Woodruff key
Loctite quick metal
Loctite threadlock
Crank seal

If it fails again then i'll have a much shorter shopping list - new engine and crane.

[K10]

Parts ordered.

Pulley alone is €180 from dealer (entire bill knocking on €400, who the hell charges 85 quid for a timing belt). I stoppped him there and bought the whole lot from Boundville - for a grand total of £67.

Loctite 660 and 243 for another £25.

Roll on next weekend.

Will try to make a decent writeup and take a few good pics to outline the procedure (which will be a direct copy from Ger).

[Steve]

Cool! Be sure to let us know how you get on!

[K10]

unfortunately no sign of the bits from Boundville, even though I ordered them over a week ago. They might be better than MX5parts on price, but MX5parts definitely have fast delivery sewn up.

Anyway, I have ordered the Loctite and all the necessary parts, including a new crank seal, pulley, bolt, key, belt and I also threw in a new seat of seals for the camshafts and the CAS, which is weeping slightly.

Also, to cheer me up, I got a non-AC drivebelt so I can remove the AC pump etc. Might as well do all that while I have it stripped.

[mx5ash]

Strange i got stuff from autolink and find them quicker to arrive than 5 parts. anyways best of luck with it when stuff does arrive.

[K10]

Parts arrived, did the deed tonight.

All went together OK, reassembled the whole car so will wait to tomorrow afternoon and then turn the key.

Hopefully.

[mx5ash]

Best of luck with it mate.

[leamyj]

Fingers, toes and everything else crossed

[Fergus]

"If You Build It"...IT WILL WORK

How'd you get on with the AC removal ?

[fabfiveferg]

That's great K10. Hope all goes well today

[Steve]

good luck with it!

[K10]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.



Just took her for a spin. She's revvy, lively and just plain fixed.

Just back from the best spin in a long time. Starts and idles better, pulls better from low revs and does what we got her for.

Now a few more bits more to do, for a start the first wash in about 3 months and check all the fluids etc.

I'll get together with Ger and write up a how-to for the tech section here so we can accurately describe the symptoms & the fix because there's not actually a whole pile to it. Hopefully my fix will be a permanent one.

Just looked back, I started this thread on 7th December, and that was after months of trying to figure it out already.

Thanks all for your help, much appreciated, Fergus, Stephen & Ger, you're legends. (stephen, I'll get that coilpack in the post back to you)

[leamyj]

Well Done, it's been a long running saga


All we need now is for Fergus to get to the end of his project

John