MX5'91 Engine noise - vw diesel sound - HELP

Pez · Postby **Pez** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 12:22 pm

HI guys I'm posting this in panic mode so please excuse me for not reading other post beforehand.

Yesterday I started my weekend drive and nothing happened. Its not the battery and I had it serviced by the guys from Automotive Plus not long ago and I run it on premium.

I opened the bonnet looked around to see if anything had fallen off

not been mechanically minded I continued to look under the car like a pro..nothing no oil leaks, no wires hanging out or plugs loose.
Got back in and started it again..it felt like some one nudged the car..then I quickly pressed on the gas pedal and turned the key again. It knocked over but the engine didn't kick over...starter motor perhaps? checked the engine bay for any signs of foul play or smoke...nothing.
Got back in again and this time feeling a bit "what the hell" attitude i started it and she kicked over but with a loud knocking noise and it felt like I was running on 2 cylinders! :evil:

I turned it off and sat back thinking this is the end of my weekend driving life. :shock:

I only drive it on weekends so maybe the new oil is sitting at the bottom and needs to be warmed up I was thinking. So I started it again.
I left it run for about 30 seconds and it sounded bad but the vibration had stopped and the knocking stopped, by this time my son had heard the vw diesel sound emitting from the garage and shouted "stop dad stop you're killing it!!!"

Definite irritable tapping noise :twisted:

not a loose fan belt.

I have it a quick rev the noise got louder/faster but in ideal you could just barley hear from the cockpit so I don't think I should drive it anywhere by the sounds of it and I'm hoping I haven't done internal damage.
Not knowing anyone who knows about MX5 engines after hours on a weekend I shut her off and cried for the rest of the day.
Today I refuse to look out the window or go to the garage - instead I am just playing this video over and over again wondering what the hell happened to my baby....
:cry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjTwu6AYP48
[youtube]http://youtu.be/rjTwu6AYP48[/youtube][/youtube]

~HELP ~

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 12:46 pm

Sounds like it could be serious.

Whichever it is, first step is to see does it have enough oil? (just double checking, you did take the dipstick out, wipe it off, put it back and use the second dip as a check? (without the wipe the reading is off because of oil splashing about when the engine's on))

Anyway, the sound isn't good, something is unhappy and probably not lubricated properly.

Perhaps camshafts/lifters, perhaps a bearing in the bottom end. Either way, not good. (I'd suggest maybe not running the engine unless absolutely necessary)

Pez · Postby **Pez** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 1:12 pm

hks_kansei wrote:(just double checking, you did take the dipstick out, wipe it off, put it back and use the second dip as a check? (without the wipe the reading is off because of oil splashing about when the engine's on)

Yes I did mate - its clean as. I drove it around town last weekend with no issue. I checked it underneath for leaks and around the oil filter - not a dam thing.
I'm no wondering what grade of oil did Automotive+ use?

Akys · Postby **Akys** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 7:00 pm

Hi,

Sounds like lifters making noise. Not sure about mx5 but it is a common issue with Mitsubishi engine.
does mx5 runs hydraulic lifters, might be clogged up. does it go away at a certain point when you drive it?

Pez · Postby **Pez** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:48 pm

It's not a pleasant noise and I have been advised not to drive it till I get some professional advise or assistance.
Thanks.

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 10:54 pm

That sounds exactly what mine sounded like when the crank pulley key way was snapped/broken. The knocking is the pulley slopping around.

I fixed it myself, but if ya not good with the wrench, yep get it to a mechanic and I'd avoid driving it.

G

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:00 am

Google search HLA (hydraulic lash adjuster) noise. Sounds like you have one that may be causing the noise.

Compare your noise with these - MX-5 HLA noise

Let it idle for a while and the noise should go away as the lifters "pump up" with oil.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:22 pm

+1 HLA noise - add Nulon Lifter Free to the engine oil - will stop the noise if it's HLAs & won't hurt if it's not:
http://www.nulon.com.au/products/Engine ... d_Tune-Up/

hejira · Postby **hejira** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:58 pm

I get this in my NA if I turn it on only to let it idle for a few mins, then turn it off, then turn it on again. Sounds like a ticking noise at idle that speeds up when you rev the engine. After I start driving it a bit it goes away pretty quickly.

I also had an NB previously that used to get it a bit occasionally after driving it on random occasions.

It's common.

Pez · Postby **Pez** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:38 pm

93_Clubman wrote:+1 HLA noise - add Nulon Lifter Free to the engine oil - will stop the noise if it's HLAs & won't hurt if it's not:
http://www.nulon.com.au/products/Engine ... d_Tune-Up/

Thanks for the info guys, I called Automotive+ and they recommend I get it towed to them, but I did manage to chat with the previous owner who said he use to put Fuchs TITAN CFX 10W-30 oil in it.

Now to find a MX5 Ambo

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:14 pm

Any flatbed company can tow them.

It probably works out cheaper than renting a tandem and suitable car for towing (unless you've already got a towcar.... then a tandem might be cheaper if you know how to pull them)

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 3:03 pm

local tows are usually not expensive- your servicer will recommend someone and you get a quote. If you are in NRMA or RACV you probably also get a tow to a local repair place without cost- thats a good rreason to be a member even for the basic cover. I would not even think about tandem trailers- its not worth the trouble for local trips and there is nearly always an element of risk and a hassle in arranging it. PS do not start the car again - out of curiosity check the oil.

Pez · Postby **Pez** » Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:16 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:local tows are usually not expensive- your servicer will recommend someone and you get a quote.

Yup got a quote of $80 for a flatbed tow for 12klm but as we are in RACQ we have a 1 free tow per year

Don't worry I'm not starting anything. I'll watch over it when it gets loaded up, follow it and when it gets dropped off. :shock:

Pez · Postby **Pez** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 10:10 pm

Well guys the Car-ambo picked up the sick one early this morning. Not an event you really want to see unless you like keeping the klms down on your pride and joy

Off to the mechanical doctors for the day. After a nervous phone call this afternoon I didn't get to speak to the surgeon but had a word to the cardiologist who thinks its a blockage in the top part of the heart (gluggy old oil hidden in the engine cavities). Kept over night for observation and final diagnostics.

I now sit by the phone in a sleepless night and await the verdict.