Just finished timing belt etc service

[jpgibson]

Firstly, thanks to MX5 Mania for getting me the parts so quickly and thanks to all those forum'ers and youtubers who put awesome info out there.I was well read before I tackled this.
The radiator top was green and I was advised to change it.Glad I did as I just looked at the top hose inlet- small cracks!
The whole job took about 15 hours give or take.
Day One: did the gearbox and diff oil.Required taking off the rear then front cover/brace under the car. I used a big syringe and tubing to pump it in . I cabletied the tube as it entered the gearbox ( to stop it falling out).Same with the diff. I used Redline.Next was the clutch and brake fluid. I bought a speed bleeder that worked ( via a Venturi) off my compressor.It was brilliant and cost $30.I did left rear, right rear, left front and right front/clutch. All went well.
Day Two and Three: pulled everything apart. I imagine it would be possible but difficult to do the belt with the radiator insitu , but as I was changing it anyway, out it came. On the SE the removal was very easy: undo two hoseclamps, remove two brackets, disconnect wiring to fans and remove.
I didnt remove/drop the front swaybar. I was lucky I had a socket and wrench that would kinda fit.There was no way I could check torque. I almost couldnt get it off ( 6th gear, handbrake on). It went on with blue Loctite ( 243 or 2).The worst bit ( well, there were two) was getting the belt pulley off the crank. I used a puller to get the plate behind the harmonic balancer off.I was going to change the seal regardless, but you need to remove this 'plate' to even get the belt off or on. Luckily my neighbours are mechanics. After I had removed a small piece of the belt guide ( the flange at the back of the pulley) on the pulley ( from levering on it),my neighbour came to the rescue with large angled flat blade screwdrivers-eventually it wiggled off. It obviously hadnt been off before.He suggested I replace it as he was worried about it being out of balance. I put it on anyway- we'll see if it has any effects- I doubt it given the mass removed ( a gram or two) and the small diameter and the closeness to the block.
Everything else went ok except for dropping a bolt from the waterpump outlet ( the upper one) into a recess where the AC compressor bracket sits. Low and behold there was another bolt in there from someone else! Anyway, I used another and got that finished. I used black Permatex gasket stuff around both sides to the seal.
Second time I needed help was setting the timing. No where in all my reading was there any mention of how to stop the belt moving on the crank pulley. My neighbour told me what he does is place the belt on and follow it anticlockwise ie set crank, wedge belt in so it cant move.Follow it around the idler to the exhaust sprocket and get place it about half on.He uses a clamp , I used a cabletie. Then sort out the intake and set the tensioner ( it was full out for the initial timing).He does it a bit differently to how Mazda say. We did it both ways and I left it with the Mazda way ( well, if they went to all the effort of casting an extra mark, maybe it is important!). As it turned out, the waterpump and belt have been done at some stage - as both were aftermarket.Nothing in the service booklet to say when though.The Mazda waterpump seals were very different to the aftermarket ones- MX5 Mania supply ( in their 100k kit) genuine oil filter, waterpump seals, tappet cover gasket, Woodruff key ( that was another PITA to remove..)
Put all back together, didn't rush, made sure I tightened everything up. Filled her up with coolant ( no gushes of green!), and she fires right up.
Phew. Would have been stuck without my neighbours for those two things. The adjustable wrenched on the hex part of the camshaft didnt work for me- they kept moving. The tools available wouldnt have worked as I was removing the sprockets ( and cap) to replace the seals.
Anyway, total cost of parts was about $750 ( inc fluids,radiator etc).I reckon I saved over $1000 in labour .
Not sure if I'd do it again- luckily my wife was away otherwise I couldn't have consumed that much time.
Out!

[KevGoat]

Well done. I've done a few mechanical repairs/improvements since getting my first MX-5 but this is one job I don't think I'd be willing to attempt myself.

Sent from my S7 on Tapatalk

[jpgibson]

ta! Ive done a lot of stuff on bikes but this was the most ive done to a car. next time i'd leave it to the pro's- 2 1/2 days is too long. feel pretty good for getting it done- and properly.

[ManiacLachy]

Good job! I had all of this done to my SE when I first bought my car as it was approaching the 100k service, better to get it done and out of the way. It's a job I wouldn't mind tackling myself next time now that I'm a bit more handy around the car, but it won't be for another 2-3 years. Like you, I might need to wait for a time when the Missus is out of town

[jpgibson]

I'm glad I did it , but I think a second pair of hands would be helpful or at least getting a tool ( FM one) that sits between the intake and exhaust sprokets to hold them. No other special tools required. Much easier if just doing the belt/ pump and not the crank seal.
If I do it again ( now I know I can), would be a fair bit quicker.