Liam's NA Miata - Finally back on the road!!!

[CodeRedR51]

I'm not to familiar with Miata engines so there

Doesn't really matter if it's a Miata, most engines are set up the same way.

Edit: Also, I disagree with your comment above about throwing a quart of oil in it without checking the level and having too much oil. Just like not having enough, too much can also damage the engine.

 

[Slash]

Doesn't really matter if it's a Miata, most engines are set up the same way.

Edit: Also, I disagree with your comment above about throwing a quart of oil in it without checking the level and having too much oil. Just like not having enough, too much can also damage the engine.

I don't work with Inline 4's all that often

But somehow that didn't even come to mind for whatever reason. Ah well.

Yes I would check the level first before doing it. Agreed.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Sorry guys, couldn't help but laugh at the above replies.

Oil on the spark plugs? Buy a new valve cover gasket.

See the 4 holes in the middle where the plugs go? Gasket there is old & failing.

The red circles on the photo indicate where some liquid gasket should be placed when installing the new one. 👍

Thanks very much! I will add a valve cover gasket to the to buy list.

 

[Thatman]

Yeah, that's where mine was leaking come to think of it.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

So I bought a bunch of stuff for my Miata today. I got seafoam, new valve cover gasket, tranny fluid, spark plugs, and coolant.

I just changed the tranny fluid today since that was the most straight forward thing to do, and that took like 4 hours. Why? Well once I drained the fluid and put new fluid in, I then realized that I had bought DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. After some research I realized that, keeping that in my tranny is not good at all for it, and so I drain all 40 bucks of it out and replaced with what I should have bought in the first place, tranny fluid.

The gearbox is much smoother now with the new fluid in, it feels great!

My local auto parts store will have a Haynes manual for the Miata this Monday, so I will pick it up then. I still have to seafoam the car, change the valve cover gasket, spark plugs, and coolant, but I won't do that until I have my Haynes manual, because I don't want to screw myself over.

Once I have done the rest of those things, I will get a wheel aliment, and get it inspected by a professional mechanic, then fix whatever he sees wrong with the car. Once we get some dry days over here I will cut out the rust and get a body shop to patch it.

So the tune ups are slowly but surely coming together! Thanks for the advice all of you given me so far.

Once all this is done and that car is in optimum working order, I will start modding it!

 

[Slash]

When you seafoam it, it's going to smoke like a SOB. Don't worry, that's supposed to happen.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

When you seafoam it, it's going to smoke like a SOB. Don't worry, that's supposed to happen.

Yup I know that, I just hope I don't piss my neighbors off.

 

[eSZee]

The noise goes away when I press in the clutch, and when it's in neutral. I have look it up too, seems like no one can figure it out haha.

Some say it normal, bad it does not sounds like it, it's bloody annoying.

Throw out bearing it sounds like.
Possibly something under car vibrating at said RPM.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

So I have a couple updates on the car.

This happened

I guess some idiot drunk driver side swiped me last Friday night. I was lucky, because the driver made contact with the door then the fender, the door didn't get pushed in thankfully. I was going to replace this fender eventually, since it already had small dents and rust. I was still choked tho, going to order a new fender asap.

Great thing about white cars, is you can contrast them so easily, so I plastidipped my rear finish panel. It was my first time using PD and was happy with the results!

I used the rest of the dip to refinish my headlight covers, made a big difference. Most people won't notice, but small details like this help with the exterior of the car.

I also got a Haynes manual, and its pretty helpful, going to read it cover to cover.

I also ordered some interior goodies, so I'm waiting for them to come in. Just got paid as well, so a wheel alignment will be done soon. Also going to order a couple other things, I'll let yall know later.

Aaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnd.

I have locked my keys in the trunk of my car, my car is at work just sitting there, waiting to be driven. I opened the trunk to put my stuff in at the end of the day, I put the key in the trunk as well, and usually get them before I close the trunk. But THIS TIME, without thinking, I closed the trunk with the keys inside. I felt my pocket, to feel no keys in it.

So I grabbed a paper clip and stuck it in the lock, and that broke with the other half stuck in side. At this point you would say "Liam, just slim jim the car and open the trunk from the inside." But you see there is a problem, there is no trunk release in this car.

I called a couple locksmiths, and got one quote for $300 dollars, since this happened after 5PM, which is overtime work hours.

I was ready to cut a hole in my trunk.

My dad work for the same company as I, so he picked me up, and took me home.

So I called Mazda and they said that they have a dumby key that will open the trunk, all I have to do is provide them with my registration and drivers license. My reg was in my car, I managed to roll down the window crank with a coat hanger, this opened the window enough for my petite co worker to sick her arm in and unlock the car.

So hopefully tomorrow, I can get the dumby key and get my keys in time for the long weekend.

This happend on Tuesday.

I'm dumb.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Bummer about the drunk person hitting your car. The plastic dip details turned out really nice. Especially around the headlight. As for locking the keys in the car, we have all been there. I always recommend making a spare key as soon as you buy a new car just for this reason. Spare key is usually only about $3.00-$5.00 depending on the car. Even Walmart makes keys.

What is the green "N" hanging off the back of your car?

 

[homeforsummer]

I have locked my keys in the trunk of my car

What is the green "N" hanging off the back of your car?

n00b?

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Just the way our drivers licensing program works for new drivers. We have L's and N's. L is for learner, these are super noob drivers, and these drivers are quite slow and cautious, so the L that is on the back of the car lets road users know. And same idea for the N, usually Ns drive faster, since the majority of them are young guys like me haha. Once I take my road test this summer to get my full license, I won't have to display the N. So right now u just hang it there.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Just the way our drivers licensing program works for new drivers. We have L's and N's. L is for learner, these are super noob drivers, and these drivers are quite slow and cautious, so the L that is on the back of the car lets road users know. And same idea for the N, usually Ns drive faster, since the majority of them are young guys like me haha. Once I take my road test this summer to get my full license, I won't have to display the N. So right now u just hang it there.

That's brilliant and hilarious.

n00b?

I guess you were right.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Pretty much lol.

 

[Ronald6]

As for locking the keys in the car, we have all been there. I always recommend making a spare key as soon as you buy a new car just for this reason. Spare key is usually only about $3.00-$5.00 depending on the car. Even Walmart makes keys.

Great advice. ^^^ This plus an emergency kit.

I would recommend Home Depot, though. Walmart is Evil.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

So I went to my Mazda Dealership today, give them the VIN Number and my drivers license, they got the key code, but, there key machine didn't even recognize the friggin CODE!!! Such utter BS.

I contacted the original owner whom I bought the Miata from, he said to drill a hole in the rear finish panel, to access the lever that connects to the latch, and use pliers to yank on the latch to open the trunk. So hopefully that works!

 

[Harry6784]

Just get a screw driver, jam it in the lock, get a hammer and give it a couple good whacks. Fiddle with it until your trunk pops open then buy a new lock off eBay for $15.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Just get a screw driver, jam it in the lock, get a hammer and give it a couple good whacks. Fiddle with it until your trunk pops open then buy a new lock off eBay for $15.

Well, I am going to try what the original owner told me. The day I locked them in my trunk, I used a paperclip to try and open it, but then one half of the paper clip broke and stuck in the lock. If the lock does not work because of that then I'll get a new lock mechanism.

 

[Crash]

Sorry to hear about your car being hit, but otherwise glad to hear that you are enjoying it. I've driven NA Miatas, and for cheap, open top fun, they are hard to beat.

My reg was in my car, I managed to roll down the window crank with a coat hanger, this opened the window enough for my petite co worker to sick her arm in and unlock the car.

Be careful, especially now that you know how easy it is to steal your car...

Just the way our drivers licensing program works for new drivers. We have L's and N's. L is for learner, these are super noob drivers, and these drivers are quite slow and cautious, so the L that is on the back of the car lets road users know. And same idea for the N, usually Ns drive faster, since the majority of them are young guys like me haha. Once I take my road test this summer to get my full license, I won't have to display the N. So right now u just hang it there.

I thought the N had to be on the car for a couple of years after you get your full license?

I do feel bad for you guys up north. Having to show that you're a noob driver sucks. It really isn't much more than a "Kick Me!" sign.

 

[CodeRedR51]

You could always pull the paneling out from behind the seats and find someone with a long arm to reach into the trunk.

Edit: unless you have a roll bar, in which case I don't think that's possible...

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Forgot to update this. I did get my keys out of my trunk!!

I ended up drilling a hole in the rear panel to access the latch that opens the trunk, I got needle nose pliers and, viola!

 

[Aquarelle]

Go and get a spare or two cut, immediately lmao.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

viola!

 

[Slash]

Forgot to update this. I did get my keys out of my trunk!!

I needed up drilling a hole in the rear panel to access the latch that opens the trunk, I got needle nose pliers and, viola!

And now you have welding, sanding, paint prep and painting to do.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Forgot to update this. I did get my keys out of my trunk!!

I needed up drilling a hole in the rear panel to access the latch that opens the trunk, I got needle nose pliers and, viola!

Did you drill from the inside of the car behind the seat? Or are you saying you actually drilled a hole in the exterior of your trunk next to the key hole? Can you take a pic of the hole?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Did you drill from the inside of the car behind the seat? Or are you saying you actually drilled a hole in the exterior of your trunk next to the key hole? Can you take a pic of the hole?

You don't need to drill behind the seats, just unbolt a panel and there's a couple passages around the fuel tank to the trunk. Drivers side slightly blocked by the fuel neck and a removable metal panel, but passenger side is fairly open if I remember right.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

You don't need to drill behind the seats, just unbolt a panel and there's a couple passages around the fuel tank to the trunk. Drivers side slightly blocked by the fuel neck and a removable metal panel, but passenger side is fairly open if I remember right.

Exactly. That's why I was concerned when he said he drilled into it? Should not have to drill anything to get to the trunk.
So if I got this right he has now drilled a hole into the exterior part of the trunk by the keyhole? This will not only allow water and moisture into the trunk, but allow someone to enter his trunk at any time without a key. Plus now he has to repair the hole like @Slash said. Oh well what is done is done, hopefully it is repaired properly. To do that will involve welding the hole shut that he drilled.

He could have even used one of these magnets to reach in from behind the seat to get to the keys.

 

[LeadFootLiam]

Yes, I drilled a hole in the exterior of my car, but its hidden by the license plate.

 

[Harry6784]

But you still need to seal it since it is still an entry point for moisture and possibly small animals.

And just wait until it starts rusting

 

[Aquarelle]

Did you at least paint the hole? put some tape over it to keep moisture out? =/