Hey guys,
I found this Q and A in our local rag. Typical of dealers trying to gouge the
uninformed. Guess where I’ll *never* take my car? Damn, that’s a bad
experience at all *three* local Mazda dealers.
David
’90 White
———–
> Question: I have a 1990 Mazda Miata which I drive only in summer. As a result it now has only 70,000 kilometres. The service chart calls for a timing belt replacement at 96,000 km or five years. I am well past the time, but well short of the mileage. Since this is a fairly expensive service, I would like to know if the belt age is sufficient to warrant the procedure, or if I should wait for the mileage to add up.
> Answer: John Pichette, service manager at Carling Motors, replies:
You’re in a Catch 22 situation. As you know, the timing belt is made of rubber
and is subject to wear and stretching over time. You have not reached the
recommended mileage parameters, but you cannot discount the fact that the time
limit has been surpassed. Should the timing belt break, the ensuing damage to
the engine valvetrain will make the cost of only replacing the timing belt
look small in comparison. My recommendation is to replace the timing belt now
as preventive maintenance.
Hate to disagree, but I think the dealer’s answer wasn’t so terrible.
It’s not mileage that destroys rubber parts, it is indeed time in the
car. Rubbers embrittle from exposure to oxygen and especially ozone.
Yes, they do it worse when the engine is hot, but time alone does still
lead to breakdown of the rubber. A signficant fraction of the aging of
rubber parts in a car happens when the engine isn’t running.
And, according to some of the rather knowledgeable folks here, despite
the fact that the Miata engine is strictly speaking non-interference,
valve float can still cause valve damage if the timing belt breaks at
high rpm. Several people have repeated the mantra that "it’s
non-interference, so you don’t have to worry", but given that not one of
them has ever mentioned actually having a timing belt break at speed, I
wouldn’t take it as gospel. Especially considering the cost
differential between a timing belt replacement and valve replacement.
Eric Lucas
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
David Clarke wrote:
> Hey guys,
> I found this Q and A in our local rag. Typical of dealers trying to gouge the
> uninformed. Guess where I’ll *never* take my car? Damn, that’s a bad
> experience at all *three* local Mazda dealers.
> David
> ’90 White
> ———–
> > Question: I have a 1990 Mazda Miata which I drive only in summer. As a result it now has only 70,000 kilometres. The service chart calls for a timing belt replacement at 96,000 km or five years. I am well past the time, but well short of the mileage. Since this is a fairly expensive service, I would like to know if the belt age is sufficient to warrant the procedure, or if I should wait for the mileage to add up.
> > Answer: John Pichette, service manager at Carling Motors, replies:
> You’re in a Catch 22 situation. As you know, the timing belt is made of rubber
> and is subject to wear and stretching over time. You have not reached the
> recommended mileage parameters, but you cannot discount the fact that the time
> limit has been surpassed. Should the timing belt break, the ensuing damage to
> the engine valvetrain will make the cost of only replacing the timing belt
> look small in comparison. My recommendation is to replace the timing belt now
> as preventive maintenance.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
>> Question: I have a 1990 Mazda Miata which I drive only in summer. As a result it now has only 70,000 kilometres. The service chart calls for a timing belt replacement at 96,000 km or five years. I am well past the time, but well short of the mileage. Since this is a fairly expensive service, I would like to know if the belt age is sufficient to warrant the procedure, or if I should wait for the mileage to add up.
>> Answer: John Pichette, service manager at Carling Motors, replies:
>You’re in a Catch 22 situation. As you know, the timing belt is made of rubber
>and is subject to wear and stretching over time. You have not reached the
>recommended mileage parameters, but you cannot discount the fact that the time
>limit has been surpassed. Should the timing belt break, the ensuing damage to
>the engine valvetrain will make the cost of only replacing the timing belt
>look small in comparison. My recommendation is to replace the timing belt now
>as preventive maintenance.
Minor point, the Miata runs a non-interference engine. What does that
mean? A timing belt means a nifty run on the back of a flat bed, a new
belt and the car will fire right up and drive away. The only damage
likely to occur would be that of the belt itself hitting when it
selfdestructs. Unless you are running it up to 9,000rpm the valvetrain
should suffer no problems if the belt breaks.. however, 9,000rpm is
likely going to cause a few problems to a stock motor <grin>.
For peace of mind I’d likely change the belt. An 8 year old belt that
is allowed to ‘rot’ over the winter (cold begetts brittle when it
comes to most rubbers & plastics) it could dramatically affect the
useful life of the belt. In this case, better safe than sorry.
Always remember you’re unique, just like everyone else…
http://www.mindspring.com/~vdragon
Remove *nolamers* to e-mail.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
Eric Lucas <ealu…@ix.netcom.com> writes:
>And, according to some of the rather knowledgeable folks here, despite
>the fact that the Miata engine is strictly speaking non-interference,
>valve float can still cause valve damage if the timing belt breaks at
>high rpm. Several people have repeated the mantra that "it’s
>non-interference, so you don’t have to worry", but given that not one
>of them has ever mentioned actually having a timing belt break at
>speed, I wouldn’t take it as gospel.
Actually, there was such a post, from a mechanic who reported to
have seen it several times. Though personally, I would not want
to deal with the stuff going on in the belt chamber itself. All
those plastic covers getting ripped to shreds, and I suppose the
belt could break the water pump outlet – that wouldn’t be fun…
Or get caught in the bottom and screw up the pulley – which might
screw up the crank… The possibilities get too expensive too
quickly to hold off doing the belt change…
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
On Tue, 07 Apr 1998 23:47:06 GMT, nolamersvdra…@mindspring.com
(Rexven) wrote:
Should the timing belt break, the ensuing damage to
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>>the engine valvetrain will make the cost of only replacing the timing belt
>>look small in comparison. My recommendation is to replace the timing belt now
>>as preventive maintenance.
>Minor point, the Miata runs a non-interference engine. What does that
>mean? A timing belt means a nifty run on the back of a flat bed, a new
>belt and the car will fire right up and drive away. The only damage
>likely to occur would be that of the belt itself hitting when it
>selfdestructs. Unless you are running it up to 9,000rpm the valvetrain
>should suffer no problems if the belt breaks.. however, 9,000rpm is
>likely going to cause a few problems to a stock motor <grin>.
>For peace of mind I’d likely change the belt. An 8 year old belt that
>is allowed to ‘rot’ over the winter (cold begetts brittle when it
>comes to most rubbers & plastics) it could dramatically affect the
>useful life of the belt. In this case, better safe than sorry.
My wife’s Protege 1.8L engine broke a timing belt while driving slowly
(fortunately.) When I looked at it the engine wouldn’t crank due to
valve(s) hitting a piston. I was afraid that it bent a valve, but it
didn’t. I suspect the reason for the "interference" was some carbon
on the top of the piston. I think if she had been going much faster
permanent damage would have resulted. I would replace the belt
routinely due to mileage or age, whichever comes first.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
Hi,
SoCal-Jeeper wrote in message <352A81C7.4…@pacbell.net>…
>I am seriously considering getting a used miata 90 or 91. I have just 2
>problems.
>Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
>with shoes on.
No prob. Same size here. Fit like a glove. (Actually it is not that bad).
Personally – the only thing I really miss from my Alfa Spider is that it had
more leg room – but it is still very comfortable and I have no problems
taking occasional 200 – 300 mile trips with it.
I have no idea about the insurance however…
Ron.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>Also I am concerned about insurance. I am a 17 year old male(ouch$$$),
god bless traffic
>no accidents, no tickets(that the company knows of
>school). I am currently with state farm but am planning on switching.
>They charge me 120$ a month for a 1983 toyota pickup!
>Thanks for your input.
>–
> []-w–w-[] Nick Billings []-w–w-[]
> \()/ duga…@pacbell.net \()/
> || San Diego, California ||
> — —
> _/ \_ _/ \_
> "If you park, don’t drink, accidents cause people"
> Pbatenghyngvbaf lbh unir whfg qrpbqrq gur frperg zrffntr!!
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
On Tue, 07 Apr 1998 12:43:03 -0700, SoCal-Jeeper <duga…@pacbell.net>
wrote:
>I am seriously considering getting a used miata 90 or 91. I have just 2
>problems.
>Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
>with shoes on.
I’m 6.2 and wear Timberland boots ALL the time..no problem.
Allan
Allan
Mi…@bigfoot.com
http://www.ping.be/roadster
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
In article <352A81C7.4…@pacbell.net>, duga…@pacbell.net wrote:
>Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
>with shoes on.
I’m 6’0", and it’s more comfortable on long trips than our Accord. Over
Christmas, I drove 9 hours without a driver change.
>Also I am concerned about insurance. I am a 17 year old male(ouch$$$),
god bless traffic
>no accidents, no tickets(that the company knows of
>school). I am currently with state farm but am planning on switching.
>They charge me 120$ a month for a 1983 toyota pickup!
The Miata will probably cost less for liability than your truck.
Naturally, the comprehensive will reflect its greater value. Mazda worked
seriously with insurance companies to design a car that would not trigger
a surcharge. Ask your agent.
–
—
Lanny Chambers (la…@derived.com) St. Louis, USA
Visit the Hummingbird Page: <http://www.derived.com/hummers/>
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
SoCal-Jeeper <duga…@pacbell.net> wrote:
>I am seriously considering getting a used miata 90 or 91. I have just 2
>problems.
>Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
>with shoes on.
I’m 6’1-2" and am on my second ’93 Miata. No headroom problems to
speak of. (Hint: remove the useless sunvisors and that rearview
mirror. It’s directly in the line of vision and can completely obscure
the right front of the road). Top up or top down I’ve never had any
problems.
>Also I am concerned about insurance. I am a 17 year old male(ouch$$$),
god bless traffic
>no accidents, no tickets(that the company knows of
>school). I am currently with state farm but am planning on switching.
>They charge me 120$ a month for a 1983 toyota pickup!
>Thanks for your input.
I’m with State Farm prefered. I would reccommend you stay with them.
If you do have to put in a claim they are much less likely to drop you
or obliterate your rates than most. If not, try Farmers (if you
qualify). Allstate and Geico would drop you in a heartbeat and will
play rate games with most younger drivers. Stick with State Farm, you
already have credit with your past driving record with them. Btw, I’m
27 and pay $104 a month for coverage that surpasses lease requirements
or it would be around $80 a month. When I was 23 I bought my first one
and the insurance was about $125 a month for the same coverage.
Thankfully they do NOT rate the car as a sports car!! (it was about
2/3rds that of my ’88 MR2SC at the time. Yep, a 5 year older car that
was still much more expensive to insure).
Good luck with the purchase!
Always remember you’re unique, just like everyone else…
http://www.mindspring.com/~vdragon
Remove *nolamers* to e-mail.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
In article <352A81C7.4…@pacbell.net>, duga…@pacbell.net wrote:
> Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
> with shoes on.
I’m 6’2". No problem.
–
Bob R. Kenyon, Beautiful Downtown San Jose, CA
<http://www.rahul.net/rrk/>
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
SoCal-Jeeper wrote in message <352A81C7.4…@pacbell.net>…
>I am seriously considering getting a used miata 90 or 91. I have just 2
>problems.
>Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
>with shoes on.
**************************
Guy today told me his 6’4" bro in law loves his miata. Also see the FAQ at
http://www.miata.net
>Also I am concerned about insurance. I am a 17 year old male(ouch$$$),
god bless traffic
>no accidents, no tickets(that the company knows of
>school). I am currently with state farm but am planning on switching.
>They charge me 120$ a month for a 1983 toyota pickup!
>Thanks for your input.
*****************************
Can only give you my sympathy on this!
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
>>Also I am concerned about insurance. I am a 17 year old male(ouch$$$),
god bless traffic
>>no accidents, no tickets(that the company knows of
>>school). I am currently with state farm but am planning on switching.
>>They charge me 120$ a month for a 1983 toyota pickup!
I’m about to get a Miata (if I can ever find one in my area). I’m 19 and have
1 wreck on my record. I’m with State Farm now and I was quoted $140 month for
comprehensive. Also, I was told by my agent that the Miata IS rated as a sports
car.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
SoCal-Jeeper wrote:
> I am seriously considering getting a used miata 90 or 91. I have just 2
> problems.
> Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
> with shoes on.
You’re not too tall. It just means more of your skull will get crushed
when you roll over. (just joking guys…c’mon, LAUGH DAMNIT!)
-James ’92 "Handicap Blue"
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Pretty dark joke, but OK…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>SoCal-Jeeper wrote:
>> I am seriously considering getting a used miata 90 or 91. I have just 2
>> problems.
>> Will I be able to fit. I am around 6 feet tall, probably a little more
>> with shoes on.
>You’re not too tall. It just means more of your skull will get crushed
>when you roll over. (just joking guys…c’mon, LAUGH DAMNIT!)
>-James ’92 "Handicap Blue"
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Size isn’t important (hardy-har)
it’s twu….i’m 6 ft too.
On the insurance:
I had full coverage on a 1995 Cutlass Supreme.
When I traded it for a 92 Miata last week, my rates stayed about the same.
Rates would have dropped $7 a month if the Miata had dual airbags, as the
Cutlass did.
If you want slow depreciation and a fun car, go for it. My first research
has been Motor Oil, findings favoring:
Castol GTX and Mobil 1, 10W-30. If anyone ….. feel free to discuss.
I’m now in search of a used hardtop…….(anyone?)
p.s. you can call your insurance agent and ask for the rates on Miata for
yourself. Dual airbags make a difference, and I believe that began in the
1993 model, tho the 1992 Special Edition (mine) has a driver side airbag.
I paid 12,000 for mine. Shop around.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
> -James ’92 "Handicap Blue"
Handicap Blue?
–
’92 Classic Red – "Phoenix"
Team Everglades Miata Club
Team r.a.m.m.m.
Team Miata World (1-800-832-3292)
Team You paid how much for yours?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
http://members.tripod.com/~JasonZero
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
In article <6gjlme$eb…@newsd-141.iap.bryant.webtv.net>,
jaso…@webtv.net (Jason 00) wrote:
>> -James ’92 "Handicap Blue"
>Handicap Blue?
I like it! (Smurf^H^H^H^H^H Mariner Blue is close to the color of
handicapped parking space stripes. But the signs are a bit darker.)
–
—
Lanny Chambers (la…@derived.com) St. Louis, USA
Visit the Hummingbird Page: <http://www.derived.com/hummers/>
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Lanny Chambers wrote:
> I like it!
I like it too… pretty funny. I’m just worried about bothering certain
folks. Oh my gosh… I’m being politically correct! Yikes!
Jason
–
’92 Classic Red – "Phoenix"
Team Everglades Miata Club
Team r.a.m.m.m.
Team Miata World (1-800-832-3292)
Team You paid how much for yours?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
http://members.tripod.com/~JasonZero
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
jaso…@webtv.net (Jason 00) wrote:
>I like it too… pretty funny. I’m just worried about bothering certain
>folks. Oh my gosh… I’m being politically correct! Yikes!
Anyone else getting truly sick of the overzealous nature of the
Politically Correct crowd? It’s got it’s time and place to be sure
but sheesh guys..
Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.
http://www.mindspring.com/~vdragon
Remove *nolamers* to e-mail.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Lanny Chambers wrote:
> In article <6gjlme$eb…@newsd-141.iap.bryant.webtv.net>,
> jaso…@webtv.net (Jason 00) wrote:
> >> -James ’92 "Handicap Blue"
> >Handicap Blue?
> I like it! (Smurf^H^H^H^H^H Mariner Blue is close to the color of
> handicapped parking space stripes. But the signs are a bit darker.)
You’re exactly right. Everytime I park near a handicap sign I look at
it and think "Hmm… must have been leftover paint after painting my
car"
No problem though. I love the color of my car – and nobody ever thinks
about the close handicap color- miata color association.
-James
Comment by admin — March 14, 2010 @ 11:02 am