Engine management light

[davekmoore]

300kms from home. Engine management light just come on. Car running perfectly.

Carry on to trusted mechanic near home or do something earlier?

[Okibi]

I think there's a list of flash codes on miata.net, first thing to check is make sure you did up the petrol cap tight.

[davekmoore]

Thanks Okibi.

There was a moment where I'd just refuelled and the light went out where I realised you are a genius.

Then I used half that tank and the light came back on.

Releasing the fuel cap then retightening it put the light out again. There was a lot of suction when the cap came off - more than there usually is when the tank is completely empty.

Guess I should be checking the condition of he fuel cap or other breathers somehow?

Got a code for the fualt today - P2178 - and have posted a thread asking for info. I'm hoping the answer is something to do with fuel vacuum so you can remain My Hero.

[jules]

Wow! That's a new one for me.

Jules

[AJ]

*has not so nice memories of a certain farking gemini I had the misfortune to own..............one of it's favourite tricks was a collapsing vent tube on the fuel tank, used to stop the piece of sh*t dead in it's tracks when it happened, of course it only happened randomly, getting out & relasing the fuel cap brought it right again, but that just got plain embarassing after a while..........finally solved it..........2 weeks before I inflicted the piece of farking junk on the next poor sucker

[davekmoore]

Actually AJ, the car runs perfectly, as ever.

Just out of interest though, what was the solution you found - since this was mainly why I asked members for their thoughts?

[AJ]

easy, replaced the offending vent tube............the tank was pressurising (as fuel tanks tend to do) but instead of the vent tube releasing the pressure to atmosphere as it's supposed to, the vent tube collapsed in on itself, virtually sealing the tank & starving the engine of fuel

[Okibi]

http://www.miata.net/garage/obdii.html

[jules]

*has not so nice memories of a certain farking gemini I had the misfortune to own..............one of it's favourite tricks was a collapsing vent tube on the fuel tank, used to stop the piece of sh*t dead in it's tracks when it happened, of course it only happened randomly, getting out & relasing the fuel cap brought it right again, but that just got plain embarassing after a while..........finally solved it..........2 weeks before I inflicted the piece of farking junk on the next poor sucker

"You and I an a Gemini"

Can't really see you in one of those, "Big Boy"
Not without sniggering just a bit....

It's OK, I used to have a fetish for doing up Datto 180B's
1974 Specs:
- Independant rear suspension
- 5 speed SSS gearbox
- Alloy head
- Overhead cam.
- Dual barrel carby (look that one up kiddies).
- Bucket seats.


Jules

[Benny]

*has not so nice memories of a certain farking gemini I had the misfortune to own..............one of it's favourite tricks was a collapsing vent tube on the fuel tank, used to stop the piece of sh*t dead in it's tracks when it happened, of course it only happened randomly, getting out & relasing the fuel cap brought it right again, but that just got plain embarassing after a while..........finally solved it..........2 weeks before I inflicted the piece of farking junk on the next poor sucker

My wife had a Gemini coupe many years ago, and it was one of the very first ones on the road.
Not a bad car, but like yours, it would also stop dead after travelling along on a hot day.

Pity she and I didn't know about this collapsing vent tube.

[AJ]

*has not so nice memories of a certain farking gemini I had the misfortune to own..............one of it's favourite tricks was a collapsing vent tube on the fuel tank, used to stop the piece of sh*t dead in it's tracks when it happened, of course it only happened randomly, getting out & relasing the fuel cap brought it right again, but that just got plain embarassing after a while..........finally solved it..........2 weeks before I inflicted the piece of farking junk on the next poor sucker

My wife had a Gemini coupe many years ago, and it was one of the very first ones on the road.
Not a bad car, but like yours, it would also stop dead after travelling along on a hot day.

Pity she and I didn't know about this collapsing vent tube.

actually, I feel a whole lot better now Benny, thanks for that........I'm relieved someone else suffered the same ignominy

[AJ]

*has not so nice memories of a certain farking gemini I had the misfortune to own..............one of it's favourite tricks was a collapsing vent tube on the fuel tank, used to stop the piece of sh*t dead in it's tracks when it happened, of course it only happened randomly, getting out & relasing the fuel cap brought it right again, but that just got plain embarassing after a while..........finally solved it..........2 weeks before I inflicted the piece of farking junk on the next poor sucker

"You and I an a Gemini"

Can't really see you in one of those, "Big Boy"
Not without sniggering just a bit....

It's OK, I used to have a fetish for doing up Datto 180B's
1974 Specs:
- Independant rear suspension
- 5 speed SSS gearbox
- Alloy head
- Overhead cam.
- Dual barrel carby (look that one up kiddies).
- Bucket seats.


Jules

I had a 1972 Datto 1600 for a while.....FAR superior car to the 180B's.........
also had the jap ripoff dual throat carbie (bet they're still trying to find it on google Jules )
bucket seats
4 spd g/box (stronger built than the 5 spd )
independant rear suspension

[jules]

The 1600's were absolute rippers. I used to hanker after a SSS as well.

The other car I used to love playing with were the MKII Escorts. They had a great little 4-speed box.

Jules