mx5cartalk.com

So i've done some searching and I have the common inconsistent/lack of power issue between 2-3k rpm.

I was just wondering what sort of leads I need to buy - can I go to repco or super cheap for some?
How much should I be paying?
Is there a benefit in getting the 'premium' type leads?
I ask because I've seen on a number of sites that advertise ignition leads that certain types can't be used with the VVT models.

Assuming it's for your NB8B which has the COP (coil on plug) ignition system.
The whole 'replace plug leads will fix everything" went out the window with the COP.
Occasionally there have been problems, but not often and normally with very high Km's.

What are the symptoms, when does it happen, how many K's has it done?
The NB8B has a few other "known problems"

de Bounce wrote:Assuming it's for your NB8B which has the COP (coil on plug) ignition system.
The whole 'replace plug leads will fix everything" went out the window with the COP.
Occasionally there have been problems, but not often and normally with very high Km's.

What are the symptoms, when does it happen, how many K's has it done?
The NB8B has a few other "known problems"

Did not know these things
Yeah it's for my NB8B, it's done around 109000k's, it just generally feels dead until you hit 3k rpm when it comes to life again... Oh and it hasn't always felt that way, it started a week or two after it was serviced.
Power also feels inconsistent, as if you're driving in to heavy wind. The car kind of hesitates when accelerating.

Could it be coil packs? (just read about COP system)...

Did they do the timing belt at the service?

de Bounce wrote:Did they do the timing belt at the service?

They did.

I'd be checking if the timing belt has been fitted correctly.
One tooth out could generate the symptoms described.

Heap of info on various forums including pictures on what to line up when replacing the belt.

If you are going to check it yourself this video might help

de Bounce wrote:I'd be checking if the timing belt has been fitted correctly.
One tooth out could generate the symptoms described.

Heap of info on various forums including pictures on what to line up when replacing the belt.

If you are going to check it yourself this video might help

Appreciate the help. Given what you said (and that that is beyond me) I've just booked my car in with my mechanic. He wont charge anything if it's his fault so I'm all good there. They are also going to have a look at my belt whine and rare startup issue that developed after the service. Could all be related?!

Feedback would be good when you finally get it fixed.

Adds to the knowledge base

I agree with de bounce it looks quite likely the timing is out caused by not aligning and retensioning correctly. This is something that they have to check. The job they did should be warranted . The only fix if it has been assembled incorrectly is for them to do it again. The car should have identical performance now compared to when you took it in.

Let us know how you get on.

I'll tell them then that if they're going at it all again, can they do the water pump this time

I'll definitely post up the outcomes of my issues.

PS belt whine-it might be either the PS or AC belts which may need a little bedding in and re tightening- assuming these were replaced. I have heard that some replacement timing belts are noisy but cannot confirm if that is fact or fiction.
Also if you are replacing the water pump I would suggest buy an OE one - cost more but quality is known. Your mechanic might even charge you trade price for the WP which helps you.

Mr Morlock wrote:I agree with de bounce it looks quite likely the timing is out caused by not aligning and retensioning correctly. This is something that they have to check. The job they did should be warranted . The only fix if it has been assembled incorrectly is for them to do it again. The car should have identical performance now compared to when you took it in.

Let us know how you get on.

I have to ask, if the timing is slightly out would this issue be an occasional one or all the time?

I ask because my entire drive home last night I couldn't seem to get the same feel. It would infrequently accelerate roughly, but on the whole it was kind of smooth. In the past it'd be the whole trip. I rest assured knowing my wife was able to feel it and comment on it so it's certainly there, but this was the end of last week...
I wont cancel the booking because they need to fix the belt whine anyhow, but yeah just worried it wont be an issue tomorrow and they can't fix something that isn't there!

To be safe & eliminate the most serious possibility first, start the car & then look at the bottom pulley. If its wobbling slightly it means that the pulley bolt isn't tight, which throws out the timing. Leaving it will cause wear to the crank keyway & bigger problems, see attached thread:
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=41916
Sounds like the belt hasn't been fitted properly, otherwise its a coincidence if other items have started to fail straight after a service.

samx5 wrote:To be safe & eliminate the most serious possibility first, start the car & then look at the bottom pulley. If its wobbling slightly it means that the pulley bolt isn't tight, which throws out the timing. Leaving it will cause wear to the crank keyway & bigger problems, see attached thread:
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=41916
Sounds like the belt hasn't been fitted properly, otherwise its a coincidence if other items have started to fail straight after a service.

Wow, i'm so glad I've posted this thread. So many possibilities, but above all else I'm glad I'm getting it sorted sooner rather than later - the lack of power really doesn't bother me to the extent that I was willing to try some self fixes or just wait until the next service in 6 months, but in reading that it does appear that it could be something far more serious.

Thanks for the link.

It will not be the bottom pulley- it is the alignment of camshafts and crankshaft If the timing is not correct then the only fix is do the job again. The car should pull like a train and rev like a banshee. My bet is that whatever the fault is it is related to the changing of the belt- but the mechanic needs to go thru the process of fault diagnosis.