DIY 100K Service

[SKYHI]

Not 100% certain on the service history of my SE, so rather than risk anything, I'm going to do a 100K service on the car, along with anything else that a car of this age needs doing. I'm wondering whether or not to pay someone to do it, or give it a go myself. The MX5 Mania kit is about $350 delivered, and I've been quoted about $1200 by Automotive Plus here in Brisbane, so roughly $850 in labour.

Another reason I'm considering the DIY approach, is that I'm thinking of doing a radiator upgrade at the same time, as it's got to come out anyway, and that $850 worth of labour buys me a decent radiator and some.

I've watched the video below, and it all looks doable with a bit of time and patience. I'd called myself "competent" with tools, but haven't performed anything to this extent before when dealing with disassembling and reassembling engine parts.

Anyone done this themselves before? Any other tips or tricks?

Is it best to just buy something like the MX5 Mania kit or source the bits yourself?

What else should I do at the same time? Fuel filter?

[bruce]

Doesn't everybody say water pump? You'd think it would last for a lot more than 100K though.

[SKYHI]

Yes, the water pump is part of the normal 100K service kit.

https://www.mx5mania.com.au/Do-it-Yours ... -1989-2004

[bruce]

Roger that.

[StanTheMan]

first time i did it it took me a whole day. Mine was an NA6 so you have some extra plumbing to do onb the SE
Ive never removed the radiator while doing a timing job.

There is also good instructions on Miata.net in the garage section. don't just go by 1 video. broaden your sources.

[hks_kansei]

Doesn't everybody say water pump? You'd think it would last for a lot more than 100K though.

Normally they do, but since it's a prick of a job to do it's more an insurance thing.

A new water pump is $50 or so, and is easy to do while you're doing the timing belt.
Just saves you leaving the old one and finding that it lasted 140,000km and then you need to pull it all apart again.


If pumps were expensive i'd say leave it, but yeah, they're cheap.

[hks_kansei]

SO far as the actual job.

It's certainly doable at home, and a LOT easier if the radiator is out since that gives you heaps more space.

Just read a few guides beforehand and make sure you have a good idea what you're doing before you start.


The hardest parts are:

making sure timing is right. do it per the book, do the tensioning procedure, and then turn the engine over a couple of times by hand and check the cam timing again.
Also make sure to mark the cam gears, they each have two timing marks on them which can catch people off guard, so just use a paint marker to highlight the ones you're using (before the old belt comes off) it just makes life easier.

Also have a decently strong and long breaker bar handy for the crank bolt, it's usually very tight and stubborn to remove.



Other than those, the rest is just the usual thing about keeping note of what comes off of where etc.


Also a good tip, remove the spark plugs.
Makes it a lot easier to turn the engine over without having to fight compression, also means you can accurately line it up to TDC without the compression pushing it off slightly.

[SKYHI]

There is also good instructions on Miata.net in the garage section. don't just go by 1 video. broaden your sources.

Thanks, I'll go searching for it.

making sure timing is right. do it per the book, do the tensioning procedure, and then turn the engine over a couple of times by hand and check the cam timing again.

This is probably the scariest part of it all. Is this "the book"

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B3YbfB30DxW0bEdwS0xSNGVXMzA

[SKYHI]

Think I found the Miata.net DIY articles

https://www.miata.net/garage/water_pump.html

https://www.miata.net/garage/timingbelt.html

https://www.miata.net/garage/waterpump-o-ring.html

[ManiacLachy]

My car is coming up on the 200k service, and as much as I'd like to have a go at doing it myself and saving that labour cos,t I'll be sending it to Auto+. I need the car back on the road by the end of the weekend, and if my experience has taught me anything, it's that the first time I attempt a job like this, I will be missing a tool, a part, or I'll break something or find something broken already, and need to buy a replacement, and the job will roll over into the week. If I could leave the car in the garage while driving a 2nd car I would give it ago.

But your's isn't a daily, so, what I'm saying is, you should do it!

What radiator are you thinking of going with?

[SKYHI]

You're right, not my daily driver but I could still screw something up

Undecided on radiator still. CSF, Koyo, Mishimoto, or Supermiata are still options. Need to do a bit more research and shop around for prices.

[Mr Morlock]

The question that's often asked but if you don't have the time and facilities or you dont have the expertise then you get someone else to do it or or part of it. Its easy for some people and not for others. Insofar as radiators are concerned the best is OEM ( is SE the same as std ?) -better than the aftermarket junk and sometimes keenly priced as well . Also don't put in junk water pumps.

[hks_kansei]

Insofar as radiators are concerned the best is OEM ( is SE the same as std ?) -better than the aftermarket junk and sometimes keenly priced as well . Also don't put in junk water pumps.

The SE Radiator from memory is slightly different to the standard NB, using a thicker core.
I believe the Automatic NBs also used a thicker core than the more common manuals, but i'm not sure if the SE and Auto one are the same.

With regard to the aftermarket radiators, the ones mentioned, Koyo/Mishimoto/Supermiata are all commonly used quality alternatives. Albeit somewhat costly (although probably comparable to a genuine Mazda one)



Water pumps are easy since even quality ones from GMB (a common OEM manufacturer) are relatively cheap, so there's very little reason to go for a no-name one.




I would strongly suggest spending extra on the timing belt, either Mazda or Gates brand.
When my car has it's belt replaced by a workshop down here at 100,000km they used some other brand.

after about 70,000km the teeth all stripped off it, costing me a tow home.
When I removed it to replace (and also confirm why it broke) it was some brand called "racer" which had written on the belt "replace after 80,000km", so even the manufacturer wasnt confident it would last the normal life.....

While a dead belt wont cost you an engine in an MX5, thankfully, it is a massive inconvenience.

[RS2000]

I have a different take on the water pump. If it's not noisy, not weeping, & has no sideways shaft movement, then I prefer to leave it alone.
They may be part of an aftermarket 100k service kit, but I don't think you will find "replace water pump" in any Mazda service schedule.

[RS2000]

I have a different take on the water pump to most on here. If it's not noisy, not weeping, & has no sideways shaft movement, then I prefer to leave it alone.
They may be part of an aftermarket 100k service kit, but I don't think you will find "replace water pump" in any Mazda service schedule.