I am just wondering how many trouble free miles a miata would get? Also does syn oil or dino oil get longer engine life? Lastly what years are the best engines? I have 80,000 on my 2002 SE and is going like new still. Are Mazda Miata engines known to be bullet proof? I know my toyota 22r is bullet proof.
I'm at 127,000 with my 2002 and I had to change a bulb in the dash pod at 102,000.
I have to guess that probably most of the people that have problems are those people that quot;drove them like they stole themquot;!!
My 2000 has 155k and besides maitenance, all I've done was I replaced my valve cover gasket.
can't tell only have 93k second owner no troubles with the garage queen
my 02 is at 51,000 with no problems at all. I'm also the second owner but its mile are going to go up quicky around 300-350 a week
The best year is the one you own. It will last until you add forced induction without retarding the timing.
I have 80K on my 2002 SE with all the bells and whistles .... What kind of oil do you all use. This is a survey I am doing on oil and the miata engine in general and how oil has a factor in the life of miata engine and its life expectancy. Right now I am the third owner and they tell me that my car has been running a syn-dino blend. I have castrols syntex 10/30 in it now with a mazda filter. I have synthetic Royal Purple in both the 6 speed tranny and diff. I'm planning on going back to a Valvoline or Castrols Dino on next change but sticking with the RP in Trans and Diff.
My '99 needed a coil pack and cat convertor at 35K. That's not a good record.
Originally Posted by Chas H
My '99 needed a coil pack and cat convertor at 35K. That's not a good record.
Hey Chas I'm from levittown originally.
I used Mobil one for the first 100K miles+- and never had to add oil between 5k mi. changes. When I did blow up my motor (1piston) you could eat off the inside. My engine builder remarked that there was no visible wear to the cyl. walls and valve train. I did replace stuff while I was in there just cuz.
My NA has 179200 and still runs strong. I guess when she gets to 200k I'll have it out and freshen it up.
Originally Posted by socal pat
I used Mobil one for the first 100K miles+- and never had to add oil between 5k mi. changes. When I did blow up my motor (1piston) you could eat off the inside. My engine builder remarked that there was no visible wear to the cyl. walls and valve train. I did replace stuff while I was in there just cuz.
Not to be a D Head but I am missing something I think Are you saying that the mobile 1 blew your piston out or did you feel lucky it reached 100K with mobile 1? What year is your cars guys?
My (49 state) '00SE is on it's third set of tires and third set of spark plugs at 78,000 miles.
It is currently fitted with NGK platinums and Racing Beat high tension wires. The RB wires were installed at about 10,000 miles. Made a huge difference over the factory originals.
It's on it's still on its original shocks, brakes and rotors. They are about 80% gone. I have new brakes and rotors sitting on the shelf, waiting for the need to replace them. I replaced the cam belt at about 65,000 miles and I checked the valve lash (it's got bucket shims) at that time. I replaced the water pump too but not the cam seals.
At about 66,000 miles, I started to experience spark plug miss and that caused a check engine light. I took the car to my mechanic and asked him to replace the coil pack but instead, he said the light cleared and it didn't return. I had to leave on a trip the next day and as soon as I got about 100 miles from home, the miss and the warning light came on again and, this time it didn't go out. I drove the car that way for about 500 miles (on the away trip) and when I got back home, I replaced the coil pack. The light that indicated a problem with the catalyst would not reset and I concluded the cat was burned. I'm still running in that condition now for almost a year. I have purchased a Good-Win Racing mid pipe (with catalyst) but I haven't installed it yet. I'm planning to use the existing Racing Beat 4-into-1 header and the factory original muffler with the Good-Win Racing mid-pipe. I'm not sure if anyone else has done that but Brian tells me he don't see why it wouldn't work.
I'm not looking for more power but I don't want any additional noise. Otherwise, I might replace the muffler too, but my existing one seems to look and work just fine.
Car burns no oil (Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 with Mobil 1 filter, 10,000 to 14,000 mile changes) and Mobil 1 gear oil used in the tranny and torsen axle (no problems or noise with either).
I rate Miata reliability good, not exceptional.
Hey all .... Don't forget to leave your year, total miles and oil you all use for my complete survey.
Originally Posted by Flighttester
My (49 state) '00SE is on it's third set of tires and third set of spark plugs at 78,000 miles.
It is currently fitted with NGK platinums and Racing Beat high tension wires.
It's on it's still on its original shocks, brakes and rotors. They are about 80% gone. I have new brakes and rotors sitting on the shelf, waiting for the need to replace them. I replaced the cam belt at about 65,000 miles and I checked the valve lash (it's got bucket shims) at that time. I replaced the water pump too but not the cam seals.
At about 66,000 miles, I started to experience spark plug miss and that caused a check engine light. I took the car to my mechanic and asked him to replace the coil pack but instead, he said the light cleared and it didn't return. I had to leave on a trip the next day and as soon as I got about 100 miles from home, the miss and the warning light came on again and, this time it didn't go out. I drove the car that way for about 500 miles (on the away trip) and when I got back home, I replaced the coil pack. The light that indicated a problem with the catalyst would not reset and I concluded the cat was burned. I'm still running in that condition now for almost a year. I have purchased a Good-Win Racing mid pipe (with catalyst) but I haven't installed it yet. I'm planning to use the existing Racing Beat 4-into-1 header and the factory original muffler with the Good-Win Racing mid-pipe. I'm not sure if anyone else has done that but Brian tells me he don't see why it wouldn't work.
I'm not looking for more power but I don't want any additional noise. Otherwise, I might replace the muffler too, but my existing one seems to look and work just fine.
Car burns no oil (Mobil 1 EP 5W-30 with Mobil 1 filter, 10,000 to 14,000 mile changes) and Mobil 1 gear oil used in the tranny and torsen axle (no problems or noise with either).
I rate Miata reliability good, not exceptional.
What kind of ngk plats are you running? Reason is if you have coil ignition igniter system set up on top of engine, 2 of the coil pack cylinders fire backwards and the platinum plugs will burn out QUICK and you will not get full power. Stock iron NKG work best and prevent possible problems you are having.
Originally Posted by bobbyb
Hey all .... Don't forget to leave your year, total miles and oil you all use for my complete survey.
Oops, my '99 has 42K miles and I use non-synthetic oil.
Why did you leave b'ful Levittown for San Diego?
Originally Posted by bobbyb
Not to be a D Head but I am missing something I think Are you saying that the mobile 1 blew your piston out or did you feel lucky it reached 100K with mobile 1? What year is your cars guys?
LOL look back to post #7. My car is a '00 that had flawless internals after 100K miles. It blew up not due to oil properties, but my stupidity.
Originally Posted by Chas H
Oops, my '99 has 42K miles and I use non-synthetic oil.
Why did you leave b'ful Levittown for San Diego?
I got out in the late 70's. Never looked back ..... only thing I really miss are the Pizzas , Philly Cheese Steak, and Hoagies !!!
My oil pump grenaded at 76,000 miles and took the rest of the engine with it in very short order. I replaced the engine and have been trouble free since.
Originally Posted by Mathias
My oil pump grenaded at 76,000 miles and took the rest of the engine with it in very short order. I replaced the engine and have been trouble free since.
What year was your miata and what kind of oil? Also what caused this oil pump disaster?
I have an 02 with only 58k km (35k miles) which I have owned for one year. It is my daily driver but I only put on about 12 - 15k km per year. I change the oil every 5k km (3k miles) at a dealership using their recommended 5w-20 dino. I do have some reservations about using a 20 weight oil, but so far, so good. I have always preferred not to use synthetic oil because of the cost. I have always subscribed to the theory that changing your oil every 5k km will make your engine last longer. Also, because I have a relatively short commute I do not put on a lot of mileage so it may take about 5 months for me to hit 5k km.
Mine: '00 with 51k.
Problems: lost a coil-pack and cat @ 34.5k. Ignition switch @ 49K
Oil: Mobil 1 synthetic 0W-30
Other than the coilpack and ignition switch..ths thing IS bullet-proof. However, having read this forum for a few years, I'm finding that most everybody on here is ethusiastic about their cars and provide them with the best care. Someone mentioned the cars with the problems are from people who quot;drove it like they stole itquot;. This may be true, but they also probably don't give a hang about the car and it shows. Those that quot;drive like they...quot;
but DO take care of their Miatas have no problems and just enjoy a REALLY quick ride through the twisties. It's a pretty tough little car.
That 0W on the Oil Weight scares me .... I know its for cold starts etc , but it still scares me ....
02 SE with 58,00 miles. I have a heavy foot, heavy wife, and no problems (unless she starts reading this forum) so far.
Use Castrol 10W-30 dino. Hot 100 degree + days in Oklahoma. Dont drive it much in winter. Otherwise would probably use 5W-30. Change about every 3000 miles. I use a quot;Wixquot; Millenia (longer) oil filter. |
Post at 2-7 04:29 AM
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