NC bad habits

deanb90 · Postby **deanb90** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:45 am

Hi, first of all what a great forum, i just bought black MY06 NC MX5 hardtop 6sp.

Since buying the car, i have noticed a few issues which bother me a little.

First issue is the rev hunting, especially when cold. Only hunts 100rpm or so but on the odd occasion more. I have had a mate plug in his scan tool to no avail, there were not any fault codes. Is anyone else having the same problem? where do i start?

second is the gearbox, also when cold. Second gear is stiff on the first 10-15 changes to second. Doesn't feel notchy or doesn't make any noises, it's just extremely hard to get into. The car only has 40,000kms so the gearbox oil would be from new, i have bought some Nulon additive so i will see if that helps. Again, is anyone else having the same problem? where do i start?

Not the first post i would have liked to do but i would like to clear these up before i have some fun.

Kind regards,
Dean

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:47 am

Unsure about your idle issue as I have one atm that is stumping me. But in relation to the gearbox, do you have a service history and now the last time the fluids where changed? If not I recommend switching to redlines gearbox oil, it has dramatically changed the responsiveness of the cold gearbox in the morning and will last a lot longer than cheaper average fluids. Well worth the investment.

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 12:10 pm

The gearbox thing is totally normal. Dont waste hundreds and hundreds of dollars changing fluids chasing the issue, just leave it.

Dann

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 12:54 pm

deanb90 wrote:second is the gearbox, also when cold. Second gear is stiff on the first 10-15 changes to second. Doesn't feel notchy or doesn't make any noises, it's just extremely hard to get into. The car only has 40,000kms so the gearbox oil would be from new, i have bought some Nulon additive so i will see if that helps. Again, is anyone else having the same problem? where do i start?

Replace the GB oil with something decent - hopefully one of the NC owners will chime in with exactly what brand they have found to give good results.

deanb90 · Postby **deanb90** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 1:43 pm

Thanks for all the quick replies. I have heard mixed opinions on the redline gearbox oils. The NC is suppose to take 75W-90, which seems extremely thick? But it just doesn't make sense why it is second gear that is causing drama. If it were the oil then wouldn't it be happening to all the gears? if there was a problem with the box it would also happen when the gearbox is warmed up, which it doesn't. I am sort of stumped here.

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:30 pm

Trust me, forget it. The 2ng gear when cold issue is super common in all models of mx5 6 speeds.

You cant just use what others say and it will work, if that were true there wouldnt be HUNDREDS of ten page threads about 6 speeds and gearbox oils all across the internet. There just isnt one magical oil solution.

Dann

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 2:31 pm

http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtop ... 29&t=32126

http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtop ... 29&t=34502

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 3:51 pm

Idle hunt when cold - never had it.

Difficulty selecting 2nd gear when cold - most cars have this issue. It is slightly difficult in mine on the first shift of the day from 3rd to 2nd, which normally occurs at the end of my street, unless I double de-clutch or do it s l o w l y. My transmission is on whatever Mazda put in it at Hiroshima.

Spend buckets of $ on expensive transmission oils if you wish but Dann is right...this time :mrgreen:

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 4:10 pm

Thankyou, fellow debatee :mrgreen:

Dann

Old Dude · Postby **Old Dude** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 5:07 pm

Agree with Dann here all 6 speed are stiff into 2nd gear first thing in the morning, totally normal, don't quote me but I have heard that if you don't use Redline from a completely clean(no oil at all) box that it makes the old oil turn to tar like consistency and that in turn stuffs the seals.
Only what I've heard.

Cheers
Dale

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Sep 02, 2011 5:49 pm

the first 10-15 changes is a lot - seems abnormal . As most said - baulking / slow is normal for floor changes it is just part of the design when the box is cold. I seem to recall that there was some sort of prob with some NC g/boxes and I suggest you get someone like a dealer service to check if the car is driving normally- or drive another car to check. Changing the oil is not the answer- you do not need Redline- it might help a gearbox which has been abused but that's about it. Plenty of 5's driving on perfectly standard oil with many K's on the odo. Just change the oil as per service routine and run to Mazda spec - refer owners handbook.

AJ · Postby AJ » Sat Sep 03, 2011 8:16 am

10 - 15 sounds like a slight embellishment

......right from brand new, our NC was a bit stiff into second gear when cold, as I'd expect.........as pointed out, entirely normal for pretty much any gearbox, in fact, try changing an old ford or holden 4 speeder into second before the box warms up, THEN you'd have something to gripe about :lol:

just exercise some patience till everything is warm, same as any vehicle really

*edit* idle hunt, never had it......again.........maybe you're expecting a little too much from the car while it's cold???...........dunno

azzaboynt · Postby **azzaboynt** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:09 pm

I'll add to what everyone else has said about a cold shift to 2nd gear.

I have an 09 NC and I usually have to shift slowly from cold to 2nd for the first couple of gear changes. Strangely I had the same issue with my 04 RX8. Lived with it so many years I didn't think it was an issue

I have no idea what rev hunting is, so can't help you with that one.

Cheers,
Azzaboynt

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:26 pm

Welcome to the world of SMALL NC jiggles.

As others have said, the gearbox stiffness is normal.

Like you I have the idle problem when cold and have had since new in 2005. Mazda couldn't fix it in 3 years of warranty work, so I just live with it.

deanb90 · Postby **deanb90** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:26 am

Charlie Brown wrote:Welcome to the world of SMALL NC jiggles.

As others have said, the gearbox stiffness is normal.

Like you I have the idle problem when cold and have had since new in 2005. Mazda couldn't fix it in 3 years of warranty work, so I just live with it.

Haha, that actually makes me feel a little better. As i said, it's not major, maybe 100rpm or so.