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mistermiata
Novice
May 27, 2007, 8:13 PM
Post #1 of 2
(3690 views)
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eneration Miata woes
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In '01, I bought a one owner '93 Mazda Miata. It's been really good to me, and vise versa.
No real prolem(s) until now. A buddy and I were driving in rural Tennessee and stopped and got fuel at a "Citgo" station.
The next morning, it was idleing rough when cold, and slightly stalling when cold. I put some Exxon fuel in and it seemed to help, or rather it did. Then I put my favoite, Philips 66 (93 octane) and the problem disappeared.
A few days later, I drove it up to mid-north TN from the greater Nashville area and it ran like a "Swiss watch".
I was almost home when the engine quit, died, stopped running. I had enough momentum to pull into a NAPA dealer parking area. Still wouldn't start and it's still sitting there as I write. Moving it home tomorrow. I've pampered this car. It uses very little oil, about the same as when I bought it, maybe a little more but it's not an everyday or even every week "check the oil routine" problem.
This car has 215 K + miles. It had 60 K + on it when I purchased it from the orginal owner. At that time, I installed a new cam belt, etc. as the owner's manual says.
I've replaced the plug wires a few times, plugs as well, air filter, and belts ( water pump/alternator & the serpentine AC/pwr steering belt).
There are no 'under the hood' fuses blown, but there is an 'injector' relay along side these fuses.
I haven't had anybody with me to help check the ignition or fuel delivery systems.
Any ideas, anyone?
Thanks in advance,
Mack
Mack
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 28, 2007, 3:50 AM
Post #2 of 2
(3686 views)
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Re: eneration Miata woes
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Hi Mack,
I moved this thread from "Tricks of the Trade" to here for better exposure. That shouldn't cause a problem for you.
I don't think the brand of fuel has much to do with this. What used to happen in MA and now corrected is that individual gas stations waited way to long to service or replace their fuel tanks which caused problems. Now all are under strict rules that require tanks to just be replaced at a certain # of years old no matter what. Sticking tanks (a routine to check for water and muck) at the bottom of the tanks is recorded and must be done at any gas station at some time. The brand doesn't matter with this here.
What I see is that you bought this car with 60K and now have 215K and some expected maintenance along the way. At 60K it probably just had some brake work and oil changes. It was do then for some preventative work like the timing belt and other things you can find listed in your owner's manual. That also means that you do that again at 120K, 180K and so on. It's not just a one time thing at 60K but each 60K.
You may have picked up some bad gas and a couple more tanks worked better and started to clear out problems. If from a plugged fuel filter it won't self correct and would have to be replaced, perhaps more than once if that was the problem alone - can't say.
Now with the time and miles about anything can be an issue. You will need to find out what it's not doing for the immediate fix. Does it get spark? Does it get fuel? Things like that to pin point this problem right now. Then check your records as to what might be due now. You may find things like tensioner pulleys, fuel delivery components like injectors, pump, regulators are now at the limits of life expectancy and some can go on for much longer but all are in question now. A total check out is in order just as if you just bought the car if you want the next 100K to be as dependable as possible,
T
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