New MX5 owner in Gold Coast

mattyredlocks · Postby **mattyredlocks** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:43 am

I remember looking at this one late last year before I bought mine!

The owner swore it had never been to the track, but with a roll bar... In any event, it was a nice looking car, but the owner wouldn't come to the party with my offer, and a young lady with a blue NB8B did, so I bought that one instead.

In regards to the colour, I'm pretty sure it's an NB8B - but maybe a respray. Didn't quite look the same colour as timk's NB8A.

WASP · Postby **WASP** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:44 am

Well done and welcome
Cheers
Steven

Flimbot · Postby **Flimbot** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:51 am

Matty - The owner was a little difficult to nail down. We had tried to meet about 4 times with him cancelling before I gave up hope of checking it out.. then got a message to go around a couple weeks later I think. They weren't in a real rush to sell by the feel of it.

My offer may have been too high on the offer considering some things I've found, but doesn't matter if I have fun with it.

Flimbot · Postby **Flimbot** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:39 pm

In case anybody was actually curious, the vin is JMONB30P200201056
I believe this sets it as an Aus delivered NB8b due to another topic on this forum

93_Clubman wrote:MX5-1.8-BP-1/98-9/00---JMONB30P100100001-200000
MX5-1.8-BP-8/00-8/02---JMONB30P200200001-300000
MX5-1.8-BP-9/02-10/03--JMONB30P300300001-400000

sunlightsilver · Postby **sunlightsilver** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 11:05 am

Nice buy mate.

I actually remember seeing this when I was browsing the cars for sale about a month or so ago and thought it was weird that it was a green nb8b, as I thought they only produced that colour for the 8a.

Nevertheless, welcome! I agree with lokiel, bronze wheels are in order

Flimbot · Postby **Flimbot** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 11:41 am

The compliance place is 2001, but the manufacture was late 2000 (I didn't even notice)
Not sure if that changes anything.

It seems to have started running pretty rough intermittently over the last couple of days (after a weekend of it being brilliant to me!) but that at least forces me to learn about the car this weekend. I just wish I didn't live in units where it's so difficult to work on cars - between timed sensor lights and noise restrictions, it's an utter pain.

Be prepared for forehead-slapping obvious questions to be asked.
I've got some lined up but think they deserve a little more research first.

Oh and wheels.. these are pretty damaged so want to replace them with something smaller with depth like hotwires or minilites (bronze insert) - but first I might give a diy repair a go and get a little more out of these, filling and spraying them matt black.

mattyredlocks · Postby **mattyredlocks** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 12:42 pm

Early series two NB then? It should have VVT in the engine.

I feel your pain about working from a unit garage though - I still end up driving to my parent's place to do anything on the car. It's a billion times easier than dealing with the timed lights, and there's always someone at the nest to help me lift something heavy. Whether they know it or not!

Flimbot · Postby **Flimbot** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:01 pm

Yeah I could see myself doing that if I was closer - I'm from Wollongong originally and most of the family is down there. Not to mention I still have a half-disassembled '77 Mini Panelvan taking up half of their garage. I should really go sort that out

mattyredlocks · Postby **mattyredlocks** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:14 pm

Excuse to visit the parents then?

"Hey Mum and Dad, how've you been? Oh that's great, I'll be in the garage for a bit, give me a shout when dinner is up?"

Flimbot · Postby **Flimbot** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:14 pm

That sounds about right. Actually I'm driving down next weekend but won't be there long. I don't think they are happy I bought an MX-5... I can't drag more of my crap back to QLD with me Haha

Regie · Postby **Regie** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 5:20 pm

regarding the rough running

how many kms on the car, and does it only run rough when its warm??

could be the cam angle sensor on its way out. its pretty common on the NB8B's

Flimbot · Postby **Flimbot** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:14 pm

The car's getting up there at 175xxx kms. I'll look into the cam angle sensor, thanks.

It doesn't seem to have a pattern yet.. This morning it wasn't great but not totally rough, just a little hesitation which I hadn't experienced. At lunchtime it was pretty bad. After work I started it and it was bad, but tried killing it and starting it back up while I was waiting at lights, on about the 5th go it started fine and had all it's expected power.

After work yesterday it was horrible, parked it for about 3.5hrs, started it up and it was fine.

Maybe it's better at night (colder?) but doesn't explain why it was good all weekend and decided to start misbehaving when I picked it up from getting a roady. I have to admit I'm suspicious but I've got nothing to go back on.

When it's running rough I can smell unburnt fuel.. was thinking a stab in the dark could be o2 sensor?

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:20 pm

Flimbot wrote:TIt seems to have started running pretty rough intermittently over the last couple of days (after a weekend of it being brilliant to me!) but that at least forces me to learn about the car this weekend. I just wish I didn't live in units where it's so difficult to work on cars - between timed sensor lights and noise restrictions, it's an utter pain.

Have you replaced the plugs and/or plug leads? - those symptoms sound familiar to when my NAs plug leads gave out.

Flimbot · Postby **Flimbot** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:32 pm

I haven't got to anything yet, haven't had the time.
I'll see what I can source tonight but think that it may have to wait until the weekend.

DanielB · Postby **DanielB** » Fri May 02, 2014 1:28 pm

Welcome!

I'm having the same issue as you with my NB8B, started occurring during a trackday last weekend. I believe it may be the cam position sensor (one at the back of the engine). I'm going to do some diagnosis this weekend anyway, so i'll let you know how i go.