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Hi all,

Had my major service done about 3 weeks ago now and am noticing a few issues related to belts.

On a cold start, the car would whine for a couple of seconds and then it's fine. I've since realised it's only on humid cold mornings, and lately it's been fine. One particular cold morning however, I went to start it and turned once, hesitated, then started as per normal, no whining.

I'm just wondering what others think, if it's something that I should take it back to the mechanic to look at and fix or if it's something not worth worrying about?

While I'm here I'll mention a few other things...
1. I asked the mechanic to take a look at the master/slave clutch cylinders for leaks as the clutch sometimes needs a double-pump or refuses to go in to gear, he returned stating that they were fine.
2. He didn't replace the water pump, said it was good to go another 100000kms which i was a little concerned about. If he needs to re-do the belts because of the above should I ask him to just replace the damn thing or should I trust his opinion? I was a little annoyed that he didn't do it as I thought it was part of the routine 100k service?
3. Most likely unrelated to the servicing, but my passenger side power window has stopped working. goes down about 2 inches and then slows to a stop. Read this is due to belts twisting and is an easy self fix, wondering if anyone had a link to how to take apart the door? I've been unsuccessful in my searches.

Regretting not taking it to a mx5 specialist for the big service but it's done now

If they have replaced the p/s a/c or alternator belts in that service, they tend to stretch with heat after a week or so, and need to be re-adjusted.

Your clutch system may have been at low level or bubbles in it, and in the service he may have bleed the system, topped up the system, and not it is fine.

Water pump doesn't need to be done at 100K (or any service), but if you requested it, and he didn't do it. It is only him that is missing out on money.

I would suggest going to the mechanic and asking him about your concerns. Clearly you do not have the knowledge of what he has done and why. If you ask him, you will have a much better understanding of what is going on with your car.

project.r.racing wrote:If they have replaced the p/s a/c or alternator belts in that service, they tend to stretch with heat after a week or so, and need to be re-adjusted.

Your clutch system may have been at low level or bubbles in it, and in the service he may have bleed the system, topped up the system, and not it is fine.

Water pump doesn't need to be done at 100K (or any service), but if you requested it, and he didn't do it. It is only him that is missing out on money.

I would suggest going to the mechanic and asking him about your concerns. Clearly you do not have the knowledge of what he has done and why. If you ask him, you will have a much better understanding of what is going on with your car.

Thanks for the response, really appreciate it.

I will give him a call and raise the belt whine issues with him. You're right, i have no mechanical knowledge which is why I come here and to my mechanic!

Regards to your window, there's a few links here: http://www.miata.net/garage/garageinterior.html with window stuff contained.

Might be one of the cables. When you get the door card off, you'll be able to have a look. Mine failed a few months back and I converted the left side to manual winder.

OK, so I am assuming he did a timing belt, but DID NOT do the water pump?

You need to find a new mechanic.

Pamex wrote:Regards to your window, there's a few links here: http://www.miata.net/garage/garageinterior.html with window stuff contained.

Might be one of the cables. When you get the door card off, you'll be able to have a look. Mine failed a few months back and I converted the left side to manual winder.

Thanks Pamex, I've had a look at those links before but not in any detail. Will have to check again.

zossy1 wrote:OK, so I am assuming he did a timing belt, but DID NOT do the water pump?

You need to find a new mechanic.

I suppose there are mixed views on this... some say it definitely should, some say it doesn't have to be done.
The timing belt has been serviced and the pump wasn't replaced, that's how it is.

I have done 10000k's in 6 months so it only has to last another 4 or so years

narcoticx2 wrote:I suppose there are mixed views on this... some say it definitely should, some say it doesn't have to be done.
The timing belt has been serviced and the pump wasn't replaced, that's how it is.

I have done 10000k's in 6 months so it only has to last another 4 or so years

The thing is that replacing the waterpump requires removal of the timing belt, so it makes financial sense to do both at the same time as it adds only a small amount to the cost of the job. My waterpump recently failed because it had NOT been replaced when the timing belt was replaced (by a previous owner). Result was that I had to have a major service done well before it was due.

The only reason you might consider NOT changing the waterpump when the timing belt is due is if you plan on selling it soon, and the potential buyer might be unaware of the intricacies of servicing. But that would be naughty.

Guran wrote:The thing is that replacing the waterpump requires removal of the timing belt, so it makes financial sense to do both at the same time as it adds only a small amount to the cost of the job. My waterpump recently failed because it had NOT been replaced when the timing belt was replaced (by a previous owner). Result was that I had to have a major service done well before it was due.

The only reason you might consider NOT changing the waterpump when the timing belt is due is if you plan on selling it soon, and the potential buyer might be unaware of the intricacies of servicing. But that would be naughty.

I agree, but unfortunately I didn't explicitly say to the mechanic to replace it, and hence it wasn't done. Is it part of the service or just something done because it makes financial sense? I always thought it was the latter. If it was the former, I'd have a decent argument to get him to do it again. Thing is if my mechanic tells me he thought it'd make it to the next major service without issue, then I know that's what he genuinely thought. (his words were he was going to replace it, but after checking it thoroughly he deemed it was in excellent condition and in the interests of keeping costs down, he didn't replace it. He said if it were the next major service and it still looked as good, he'd replace it regardless)

I'm gonna buck the trend and say no. If the car has only done 100,000km, I do not see the point in doing it. At 200,000km, sure would do. Although for piece of mind, and the fact that it is less than $100 extra to do it, then yup might be a good idea. Or if you have recently purchased a car and the coolent was orange in colour, I would do it on in that situation also.

Water pump is not part of any service.

My old BP engine with was in the car at 82,000km when I purchased it, and it lasted to 267,000km without a timing belt change or water pump change. I changed it cos it blue oil smoke for 60 second on start up and oil smoke above 4500rpm. And it still sitting against my wall in the garage.

If you don't believe in preventative maintenance, that is your prerogative.

Personally, I hate being stuck on the side of the road. Water pumps don't often do that - they usually make noise and leak first - but they sometimes also die quietly and cook your engine.

Why skimp on an extra $100 on a job that Mania apparently charge almost $1K to do?

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=45821&hilit=cam+belt

The service was $1120 which is why I was a little miffed as to not including the pump...

I suppose you'll all hear in a few years whether or not it lasts!

zossy1 wrote:OK, so I am assuming he did a timing belt, but DID NOT do the water pump?

You need to find a new mechanic.

I second that opinion. If your water seal goes in your $40 pump you will drain your engine of water in seconds... trust me I know...