Gassy Smell

[5isalive]

Thanks for all the suggestions. But I think we have a winner. pezchops suggestion of a split in the boots has found the problem... I hope.
I took the console out, undid the four 10mm bolts, then the 3 10mm bolts holding the lower part in place. Removed the whole gear shift from the car, and sure enough, both boots were badly torn.

How this came to be is anybody's guess, but I'm hoping this was the drama. I've sourced the parts, and it looks like roughly $100 will buy them.

Now... Can anyone tell me how I get the rubber boots off the gear shift please?

P2200761b.jpg

[5isalive]

Here's another shot. Apparently you can only add one photo per post.
Anyhow, here it is, of the lower boot.

P2200754b.jpg

[pezchops]

Thanks for all the suggestions. But I think we have a winner. pezchops suggestion of a split in the boots has found the problem... I hope.
I took the console out, undid the four 10mm bolts, then the 3 10mm bolts holding the lower part in place. Removed the whole gear shift from the car, and sure enough, both boots were badly torn.

How this came to be is anybody's guess, but I'm hoping this was the drama. I've sourced the parts, and it looks like roughly $100 will buy them.

Now... Can anyone tell me how I get the rubber boots off the gear shift please?

P2200761b.jpg

i think i was the third person to mention the boots, but anyway but i hope that sorts out the problem.
rear seal could still be a player because even a tiny leak will drip oil on the exhaust/heat shield.
i might suggest you check/replace the nylon bush on the end of the end of the shifter as well.
they dont cost much from a dealer.

i think i used wire cutters to cut the white nylon keeper ring because its so tight.
apply a little grease on the gear lever to help slid on the new boot

[5isalive]

My sincere apologies to "ndragun" and "bruce", who did suggest the rubber boots earlier. I was so excited at finding the offender that I didn't look back far enough to see who'd passed on the info I needed.

Sorry guys. And thank you for pointing me in the right direction. It was really starting to get to me.

Thank you all, in fact, for your valuable help. This site is an absolute gem.

Still, if someone could give me a step by step rough course in replacing these boots, would be great.

Do I need to mark anything to get everything lined up? (Cath's query).

Cheers, Wayne & Cath.

[cookie]

Shifter can only go back one way. Doing over concrete vs grass will make it easier to locate a bolt if it's dropped through. 15 minutes fix

[ndragun]

All good.

Here's a guy - for some bizarre reason wearing a cardboard crown - giving a step-by-step;



Talks about how to replace the lower boot at about the 9:50 mark.

The upper boot will just slide on - you might use a bit of oil or PTFE lube to slide it on - but its generally pretty simple.

Boots are about $45 for the outer - $55 for the inner - depending on where you are (postage);
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xmx5+shift+boots.TRS0&_nkw=mx5+shift+boots&_sacat=0

[BlackLeaf]

Wayne - I have sent you a PM.

[hks_kansei]

The top boot is held in with 4 bolts. Remove these and pull it up to free.
Replacemt is simply the reverse.

The lower is much the same, but 3 bolts and the entire shifter comes out with it.
Once on the bench cut off the old boot, then lubricate the new one and slide it over. (Bit of wd40 or similar)
When you remove the gear stick take note which way faces forward, one of the models I recall you could put it in backwards.

If you want before putting it back you can put a little grease into the turret hole, or gear oil if you prefer.
It should already have some in there anyway.



As for how they tore, it's a normal maintenance part on the mx5, those boots never last that long, so expect to replace them every few years.

[kalt]

Greasy smell? Yep!

Admittedly I didn't pay too close attention to mine when I first bought the car and did a full interior cleanout.

Does it look like a bunnings workshop special?? Doesn't look like a normal boot.

Big pic

it's a normal maintenance part on the mx5, those boots never last that long, so expect to replace them every few years.

Keeps us busy, make them money.

[hks_kansei]

Does it look like a bunnings workshop special?? Doesn't look like a normal boot.

May well be a DIY option there, however I do recall an English company were selling a silicone version that supposedly lasted longer etc etc.

It looked similar to what you have, so it may be one of them.



I dont remember hearing anything about if the silicone ones lived up to their hype?

[5isalive]

Thanks everyone.
I've ordered the parts. Just need to wait for them to arrive. I'll keep you posted with the results.
Thanks again for all your valuable help guys.
Wayne & Cath.

[hks_kansei]

If the smell is getting to you in the meantime you could get away with applying some duct tape (or similar) to hold the split parts together.

Not ideal, but at least stops the smell until parts arrive.

Also a good way to confirm that the split boots are the cause (they need replacing regardless though if they're split)

[kalt]

I've ordered the parts. Just need to wait for them to arrive. I'll keep you posted with the results.

Are you doing the install yourself or going back to your mechanic?

Can you check the shifter turret (the hole that the gearstick goes into) to see if you have grease or oil, or if it is empty? Your car is a NB8B 6 speed I gather, same as mine.

I've read too many conflicting views about whether grease or oil goes into the 6 speed, and it does/does not share oil from the gearbox (therefore need to use the same oil or do a whole gearbox oil flush as the same time).

I dont remember hearing anything about if the silicone ones lived up to their hype?

Just looking at the one I have, I doubt it lasted more than 2 months. The lower boot is also torn but is the normal rubber one.

[5isalive]

"Are you doing the install yourself or going back to your mechanic?

Can you check the shifter turret (the hole that the gearstick goes into) to see if you have grease or oil, or if it is empty? Your car is a NB8B 6 speed I gather, same as mine.

I've read too many conflicting views about whether grease or oil goes into the 6 speed, and it does/does not share oil from the gearbox (therefore need to use the same oil or do a whole gearbox oil flush as the same time)."
....................................................................................................................

I was looking at a video on YouTube that reckons if you have a 6 speed box, you don't need to top up the oil in the little reservoir part on top of the box where the shifter fits in.

Can anyone verify this please?

[pezchops]

only grease in the turret.
when i changed my gear oil i filled it from the top at the same time i changed boots.
much easier than using the filler hole.
if you have gear oil sloshing around up there the gearbox is way over filled.
use a little high temp grease and only smear it on parts that contact each other.
no need to fill the whole turret void with grease.