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This will be a slow project.. he says trying to manage expectations on what I hope will be a gentle and unremarkable transformation of this little base spec NB Mazda MX5 (1.6l for the purists), to something a little more showroom-ey. She is a little rusty, a little rattley and the overbearing scent of fuel likely promises a horrific job in the future. This car came into my possession earlier this year from my old man, who absolutely loves it dearly still, but just doesn’t get the use it deserves anymore.. that and the MOTs were becoming quite costly! These cars are known to rust, and near 10 years by the seaside has means this is NO EXCEPTION. Anyway. To business. The first jobs were to sort the service items including oil, plugs, coolant flush and a filter change. Hopefully this thread will be a good motivator for me, if there are any RR-ers near Manchester that fancy a drive out one day then let me know!  |
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Last Edit: Aug 5, 2019 11:56:38 GMT by beefcake
Current fleet
2022 VW E Up! | 1991 Bentley Turbo R | 1998 Nissan Elgrand 'Highway Star' | 2003 Mazda MX5 1.6 (for the purists)
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brachunky
Scotland
Posts: 1,340 
Club RR Member Number: 72
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No-frills project 2003 MX5brachunky
@brachunky
Club Retro Rides Member 72
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How are the front chassis legs? Had the Phoenix edition which my daughter then had from me! Cracking fun
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Will check tonight.
I know he had it undersealed but that was a few years ago, its hard to tell what has been done and what hasn't!
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Current fleet
2022 VW E Up! | 1991 Bentley Turbo R | 1998 Nissan Elgrand 'Highway Star' | 2003 Mazda MX5 1.6 (for the purists)
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,971
Club RR Member Number: 29
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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norm75
Part of things
Posts: 668
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Will check tonight. I know he had it undersealed but that was a few years ago, its hard to tell what has been done and what hasn't! be sure to take the engine bay cover off the bottom and inspect the chassis rails carefully, kills a lot of nb's and the later ones seem more prone for some reason. |
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If no rust is visible on the outside of the front chassis rails, remove the front bumper and both chassis rail end caps which are just bolted on and have a look into the rails. Then and only then will you know the real condition of the rails.
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Still learning...still spending...still breaking things!
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Well gentlemen tonight I came home to be greeted with a minor fuel spill (not Deepwater Horizon levels but still). Needless to say this is the last time I treat her to RON99 having pi55ed over half a tank down the drive. Luckily I had a leftover takeaway box to catch the worst of it whilst I jacked it up to investigate. After which the leak stopped, and I still can’t find the source. I’m wondering if it could be a leak in the tank or a hose on the way out. It only seems to happen when the tank is filled up. Attaching some pics in desperation. Its strange because it looks like oil but definitely smells like fuel, assuming it has picked up some along the way. PS thanks everyone for the advice on the chassis rails I will be checking this out ASAP once this is sorted.    |
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Last Edit: Aug 5, 2019 20:08:37 GMT by beefcake
Current fleet
2022 VW E Up! | 1991 Bentley Turbo R | 1998 Nissan Elgrand 'Highway Star' | 2003 Mazda MX5 1.6 (for the purists)
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Aug 15, 2019 20:15:59 GMT
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Turned out there was a small rust hole in the tank that was seeping out fuel. Unfortunately on these you have to remove the sub frame to get the fuel tank out.
On the plus side I got the rust checked out and the majority of it is fine with the exception of one of the rear arches which needs sorting as soon as the underside of the car isn't covered in fuel..
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Current fleet
2022 VW E Up! | 1991 Bentley Turbo R | 1998 Nissan Elgrand 'Highway Star' | 2003 Mazda MX5 1.6 (for the purists)
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Aug 19, 2019 18:45:54 GMT
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Today, a nice bit of graft cleaning the hood using some Turtle Wax cleaner that looks at least 20 years old. Perhaps it had congealed in that time because it worked really well. This was so, so satisfying but eck there was some serious grime down here. Obligatory before / after pic.  |
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Current fleet
2022 VW E Up! | 1991 Bentley Turbo R | 1998 Nissan Elgrand 'Highway Star' | 2003 Mazda MX5 1.6 (for the purists)
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