Series 1 NB...What to look for?

Sailor · Postby **Sailor** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 5:56 pm

Hi guys.
Looking at buying an older MX5 for my daughter.
What are the problems I need to look for in a Series 1 NB.
Not worried about brake/bushes/shocks, they're all relatively cheap and easy to fix.

Anyone know of anything sitting in a shed somewhere needing some TLC..quite happy to rebuild and reregister a basicly sound/straight car.
Thanks!

initial D · Postby **initial D** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:00 pm

Too many, appretenlty the series II is beta but mine kept breaking down so i brought a nissan

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:31 pm

Clutch shudder. Crank angle sensor.

And the regular stuff. its a 323 with a diff, bulletproof, As you already know.

Dann

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:29 pm

No real problems with them - just usual wear and tear like any car. I had my '99 for 3 years and 70,000 kms, did many track days in it, and it never missed a beat. Came with full service history and was in very good condition when I bought it (and I kept it that way), so that probably helps.

The cam angle sensor can be a problem, but they simply have a lifespan like any other part. It's a $150 part, changed in 2 minutes, so not a deal breaker.

Any NA or NB can suffer the "short nose crank problem" so if it has had the timing belt changed in the last 15,000 kms or so, pay particular attention to that - view the bottom pulley while idling and it should be stable, not wobbling all over the place.

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:21 am

NB8A's (NB Series 1) appear to have an appetite for Plug Leads and Coil Packs.

Along with many of the other known and common problems!

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:08 am

Clutch shudder was/is an NB8B problem, not 8A, same with the softtop issue.

Coil packs are expensive, but I am up to 290k kms on my originals, haven't replaced a cam angle sensor yet, but I have replaced plug leads.

I don't know why Mazda took such a great car, and then stuffed it up :wink:

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:15 pm

as its for your daughter make sure that the aircon does not have any leaks from the compressor.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:44 pm

de Bounce wrote:NB8A's (NB Series 1) appear to have an appetite for Plug Leads and Coil Packs.

Along with many of the other known and common problems!

Really? What are all of these other problems that your NB8A has had?

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:37 pm

NMX516 wrote:
de Bounce wrote:NB8A's (NB Series 1) appear to have an appetite for Plug Leads and Coil Packs.

Along with many of the other known and common problems!

Really? What are all of these other problems that your NB8A has had?

My NB8A doesn't have any problems as I have a NB8B
Common and known problems that I have gleaned from this forum are:
Gear selector boots - top and bottom
Oil, or lack off, in gearbox turret
Notchy gear change (dependand on oil and box)
Blocked drains
Crap in the front guards causing rust
Yellowing headlights on NB's
Radiator top tank
Water leak from the aircon - drain hose broken or missing
Slow windows and window switch contacts
Battery replaced with incorrect type
Clutch slave cylinder
Clutch master cylinder
Rear brake caliper slide pins
Leaking rear calipers
SNC and HLA in NA's
Ensuring the timing belt was changed and the water pump was changing along with it, plus the idler and tensioner pulley

About all I can think of ATM

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:25 pm

de Bounce wrote:My NB8A doesn't have any problems as I have a NB8B

Exactly.

de Bounce wrote:Common and known problems that I have gleaned from this forum are:
Gear selector boots - top and bottom
Oil, or lack off, in gearbox turret
Notchy gear change (dependand on oil and box)
Blocked drains
Crap in the front guards causing rust
Yellowing headlights on NB's
Radiator top tank
Water leak from the aircon - drain hose broken or missing
Slow windows and window switch contacts
Battery replaced with incorrect type
Clutch slave cylinder
Clutch master cylinder
Rear brake caliper slide pins
Leaking rear calipers
SNC and HLA in NA's
Ensuring the timing belt was changed and the water pump was changing along with it, plus the idler and tensioner pulley

About all I can think of ATM

And if an NB8A has been well serviced and looked after, those aren't going to be an issue. Certainly not a deal breaker when buying an NB8A as the most costly of the items you've listed would be the radiator, which would be ~$400...

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:38 pm

NMX516 wrote:
de Bounce wrote:My NB8A doesn't have any problems as I have a NB8B

Exactly.

And if an NB8A has been well serviced and looked after, those aren't going to be an issue. Certainly not a deal breaker when buying an NB8A as the most costly of the items you've listed would be the radiator, which would be ~$400...

The OP asked what to check for when looking at a NB8A
My statement was that NB8A have an apatite for coils and plug leads - the most common items to check when a NB8A's exhibits an engine problems.

It appears that because I don't own a NB8A, I am not permitted to provide this advice although you have not questioned the accuracy of the advice.

Interesting opinion, I must pass this on to the other forum members that provide constructive advice on this forum that they are, in your opinion, are only permitted to provide advice about models they own.

Please continue to enjoy your perfect world where all MX5's for sale are well maintained and don't suffer from any known or common problems!
:wink:

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:36 am

De Bounces comments were legitimate and warranted, Sailor isn't stupid either and would still inspect the vehicle properly.

I know we all love our cars, but over time they do get issues.

Sailor · Postby **Sailor** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:49 pm

Looked at one today...looked good outside, Rust in the boot and behind the seats

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:54 pm

I'm sure you looked but rust can build up near the radiator panel and in the cornerns between the two firewalls

initial D · Postby **initial D** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:26 pm

Look out for a NB lemon i sold LOL

OT i would try having a look at if the carpet is orignal, rust on tool kit/boot/near the hood hinge/where battery sits.

Accident history/if Speedo works ok, sometimes they tend to stop working and start working again. Rust near the soft top release/ radiator top tank. Check for oil leak even if it doesn't leak any oil in ground. See if aircon has been regased and is cold.

Check for mould build up on the door hinges/glove box/boot release and maybe take a bit for carpet out and inspect if the wiring loom was ever wet. Also check the wiring clips on engine if they were broken due to careless mechanics.