Overheating NA mx5

mikey · Post by **mikey** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:14 pm

Hi all,

On my way home tonight in rain and heavy traffic and i noticed the temp
gauge creeping up, the "charge" light came on and the steering got a little
heavier.

Stopped the car, checked it all over, no leaks, though the coolant level in
the side tank looked a little higher... waited for a while in the rain (why
does it always happen in the rain???) and once everything was feeling
cooler, started her up again and headed for home.

Temperature started creeping up again, charge light remained on, steering
got heavier. Didn't bother going any further, she's sitting on the side of
the road now... tow it home shortly...

The coolant level in the side tank is near the top now...

Give me the good news people!!! I've only had it for 4 weeks, and I love
it...

Cheers!

Ross Campbell · Post by **Ross Campbell** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:30 pm

Did you look in the radiator?.

mikey · Post by **mikey** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:38 pm

Not at the time due to the heat... just got her home now, looked in the
radiator, coolant looks as per usual - though a little lower than normal
obviously.

Do you suggest a new cap and thermostat, system flush etc?

MadMaz · Post by **MadMaz** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:41 pm

Hi There Mike

The common denominator for the "charge" light on and overheating seems to
trace back to accessory drive belts..

Either just worn out, too loose and/or slipping from being splashed with a
bit of water from a puddle. Make new ones are deflecting by only about 1/4"
at full tension.

Cheers
Mark

Bob ANDERSON · Post by **Bob ANDERSON** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:42 pm

What about your drive belts? One drives water pump, power steer pump, & alternator; all changed huh. The 2nd belt drives air cond if I remember correctly. I change these as a matter of course.

Dr Bob

mikey · Post by **mikey** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:48 pm

just went and checked the belt and ahhhh... broken... how the "ahem" did
I miss that...

How embarrassing... hang my head in shame...

Thanks everyone...

Ross Campbell · Post by **Ross Campbell** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:49 pm

Mike;Take out the thermostat and put it in boiling water to check if it
opens.Could well be the problem.Ross.

MadMaz · Post by **MadMaz** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:36 pm

Hey Mike

No sweat Mike - I was caught out too by this same problem years ago which is
why it occurred to me straight away - can happen to any of us! And look
at it this way - new belts don't cost much and you're back out on the road
in a brace of shakes!!

The other common probe re overheating I've discovered through experience is
the thermostat. Just to be safe replace it every two years - costs little
for the unit and the gasket - they have a habit of sticking so they don't
open properly when they get older. And flush the whole cooling system out
every year and refill with distilled water and glycol coolant at the
recommended dilution.

There's mainly two things Jap engines don't like: overheating & dirty oil.
Look after the cooling system and replace the oil & filter regulary and you
won't get too much other trouble from them under 200,000 k's - or more!

Cheers & Happy Motoring
Mark

KSCRIM · Post by **KSCRIM** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:36 pm

Just be aware that by the time the temp gauge starts to climb above normal,
the water temp is already above 225F. So long as the temp didn't climb too
much, you are probably ok. The thermostat replacement is a good idea though.
Keep a close eye on the coolant level for some time to come.
The temp gauge sits at the normal reading from 180F to 225F. This is almost
universal for temp gauges nowadays.
There are mods to make them more linear, I've done mine and can see when the
thermostat opens by a slight drop in temp.
I can assist others with the procedure. (Passing on the knowlege)

Kevin.

[...]

Mikael Bjornstjerna · Post by **Mikael Bjornstjerna** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 11:18 pm

All's well that ends well, Mike!

By the way, the thermostat can create the same problem and to check it
out one doesn't need to replace it, just take it away. It's function is
to shut off the cooling liquid until the engine temperature is ok, then
open the circulation. It's smooth sailing without the thermostat only
it takes longer time for the engine to get warm - and to get you warm
when it's cold weather. So, if the engine works without thermostat for
a couple of days, just install a new one.

Mik

Le 8 mars 06, ` 04:40, geoff cotton a icrit :

[...]

geoff cotton · Post by **geoff cotton** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:34 pm

This might cheer you, mike... Bought a 94 mx off trademe; collected from
auckland; (I'm from Nelson) No worries; seemed a bit gutless though. Went to
golden bay, top down; feelin like chockolate and everyone wants a
lick...Stopped outside a nice pub/cafe...Do you think that sonnofabitch would
start? Well, one coilpack; relay & crank sensor later... Fixing these
electronic things is my job, but still 6 hundred smaceroonies later... But
hey! Its fun! and I'm a confirmed big bike man, (not Harleys, I mean fast
bikes) And until now have loved the motorcycle type of fresh air...Actually I
think I can carry more luggage on the bike..LOL... Hang in there man..I am!
cheers geoff.

geoff cotton · Post by **geoff cotton** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:38 pm

Oh, further to you heating prob; sounds like you have a very loose drive belt.
p/steer; alt; are driven by belts. not sure if cambelt drives water pump;
havent done one ...yet...

geoff cotton · Post by **geoff cotton** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:40 pm

Errrr... disregard previous advice... lol times 2----- Original Message
-----
From: mike
To: MX5List
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: Overheating NA mx5

just went and checked the belt and ahhhh... broken... how the "ahem" did
I miss that...

How embarrassing... hang my head in shame...

Thanks everyone...

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