I think I've killed my engine

Discussions relating to Turbochargers, Superchargers, Induction, Engine Mods, Exhaust Mods, and other items specifically to make your MX5 or Roadster put out more power.

Moderators: Growler, jif, SLYDIT, Born_disturbed

Post Reply
Simonmx5
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:18 pm

I think I've killed my engine

Post by Simonmx5 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:05 am

So my engine got a bit hot on the way home last night, didn't quite go to the end of the temp gauge but it got pretty close. There was lots of gurgling noises when I turned it off but no coolant lost. The other Problem is that it's dropped a bunch of oil, looks like it has leaked out the front crank seal area, I could actually see it dripping on to the garage floor and it left a decent sized puddle after being parked for a couple of hours. Any ideas what could be going on and whether these events would be related?

BRM
I count 5-s in my sleep
I count 5-s in my sleep
Posts: 379
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:01 pm
Location: North shore

Post by BRM » Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:50 am

Is the oil milky?

chris
I have stars, you haven't. Deal with it
I have stars, you haven't.  Deal with it
Posts: 1397
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:59 am
Location: Auckland

Post by chris » Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:53 am

Well - lucky for you I have a BP for sale! :D
1 X Primera
2 X Silvia
1 X BMW E30
1 X Audi A6
3 X Mazda MX5 (1989, 1990, 1991)

Mr. Shine
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
I am quitting my job and going 5-ing
Posts: 599
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:12 pm

Post by Mr. Shine » Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:29 pm

I would guess you have a... surprise, surprise... leaking front crankshaft seal.

That'd probably be the best place to start.

Simonmx5
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:18 pm

Post by Simonmx5 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:37 pm

BRM wrote:Is the oil milky?
Looks a bit milky in the oil cap but I'm told this may be from condensation. unfortunately I haven't had a chance to have a good look at it or even start it up again, pretty much just parked it in the garage last night and left it there.

Chris, yeah I saw that this morning, don't let that thing go, I might need it!

BRM
I count 5-s in my sleep
I count 5-s in my sleep
Posts: 379
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:01 pm
Location: North shore

Post by BRM » Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:53 pm

Try the dipstick.

Crank seals are fun to do

Simonmx5
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:18 pm

Post by Simonmx5 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 1:09 pm

Mr. Shine wrote:I would guess you have a... surprise, surprise... leaking front crankshaft seal.

That'd probably be the best place to start.
Yeah I figured it's probably the seal. I've just never seen one get so bad that it leaks this much oil. It let out probably about 500ml's over a couple hours sitting in the garage.
Also doesn't explain the over heating.

marcellarius
I count 5-s in my sleep
I count 5-s in my sleep
Posts: 367
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:52 pm
Location: Hamiltron

Post by marcellarius » Wed Nov 13, 2013 1:27 pm

You posted about a failed coolant hose a couple of weeks ago, did you get that sorted out? Perhaps the oil seal failed as a result of overheating?

Simonmx5
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:18 pm

Post by Simonmx5 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 1:38 pm

marcellarius wrote:You posted about a failed coolant hose a couple of weeks ago, did you get that sorted out? Perhaps the oil seal failed as a result of overheating?
Yeah I got that sorted. So far I've replaced both heater hoses and both lower radiator hoses. The top hose looks pretty old but it's not leaking or anything.

Angreal
I have stars, you haven't. Deal with it
I have stars, you haven't.  Deal with it
Posts: 1621
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:13 pm
Location: At the pub

Post by Angreal » Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:00 pm

Both radiator fans working? The non-ac one of mine died and caused the car to overheat unless I was moving until it got replaced.

Simonmx5
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:18 pm

Post by Simonmx5 » Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:35 pm

Only one fan and it's working fine.

Obviously I need to do a bit more problem solving. The overheating and loss of oil at the same time has me quite worried. Maybe it's just a coincidence.

Angreal
I have stars, you haven't. Deal with it
I have stars, you haven't.  Deal with it
Posts: 1621
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:13 pm
Location: At the pub

Post by Angreal » Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:58 pm

Simonmx5 wrote:Only one fan and it's working fine.

Obviously I need to do a bit more problem solving. The overheating and loss of oil at the same time has me quite worried. Maybe it's just a coincidence.
Yeah stop losing oil and make sure that the needle doesn't go above halfway :P

BRM
I count 5-s in my sleep
I count 5-s in my sleep
Posts: 379
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:01 pm
Location: North shore

Post by BRM » Wed Nov 13, 2013 5:18 pm

Degrease every thing you can, go for a drive
See where it's leaking from.

If crank seal, expect a solid half day and may aswell change cambelt and water pump while you're in there
(crank / cam seals normally come in cambelt kit)

Overheating..
Check stupid cap hose at the back of the block and hoses around thermostat..

things and stuff.

Good luck have fun.

Simonmx5
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2013 9:18 pm

Post by Simonmx5 » Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:33 am

Well it seems ok now. It was low on coolant last night when I checked it. Got it up to temperature and took it for a decent drive, no overheating... :? Oil level was down just a touch but it doesn't look like oil and coolant have mixed. The front crank seal is leaking, I wonder if the overheating made it leak a bit more.
The top rad hose is now looking a bit tired so I'm going to change that and chuck a new thermostat in it.

Post Reply

Return to “MX5 Power & Power Mods”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 24 guests