The Most Common Problems w/ the Mazda Miata

[@AlexPerrucci]

What other problems have you run into on the Miata? Drop them below!

[@flound3rpuss362]

My alternator tensioner disappearing on a drive

[@DanielsTrashPit]

Liftertick on my NB. Would be nice if you could do a Video on nbs to

[@robinforrest7680]

When you change your heater core hoses, change the grommets going through the firewall. It took me three years until I discovered, thanks to Miata Man, that they were the reason for a very annoying vibration I had between 2500 and 3000 rpm. They’re dirt cheap too. The noise was so bad driving with the hard top on in winter was a pain. No more noise so this winter I’m running with my hard top for the first time since I got the car.

[@Strike666]

3rd year of ownership. After a while where I was unemployed and couldn't maintain the car up to my liking. If been tackling some issues that were long bothering and it's funny how their are all in the list. In the past months I've managed to replace all bushings on the front and a bad wheel bearing and a bad ball joint. The ride it's perfect now. I had the head shield rattle a couple years ago but it suddenly stopped. I dunno if the muffler guy gave it a hand when I needed to weld a small tear on the exhaust. Replaced at home both clutch cilinders and the clutch feels just right. And now I need to tackle the common cas and valve gasket leaks. Replace the shifter seals and boot as the boot leather is also ripped and brittle. As long as a wiring problem that is blowing my tail fuse that powers daylights, dashboard background lights and the left night taillight. (Weird combination of components in one circuit). Also replaced both alternator belts early on. And had at one point the tick. But an oil change with a little additive made it way better. Had some waterlines getting ripped. Got new ones and new termosthat and flushed the water circuit never had heating problems again. I also have a rip in my driver's seat seam as mentioned in the video lool and a rip on the back plastic window by the seams and leaks on the softop seals on the door windows. I'm also not very experienced with cars but I'm an adept of DIY and I have tons of fun following tutorials and fix those issues my self in my spare time... So far never had a replacement part cost me triple digits. So there's that going in my favor. My right headlights also vibrates, gotta see if I have still some bushing clearance for adjusting. My latches are also ajusted to max and are a little light but hold fine. Seems like I'm having the true Miata experience so far

[@LarryHopper]

Well done. I have experienced most of these issues with my 1997 Miata, which is very reliable, but the valve cover gasket never lasts long. Keep up the good work, Alex.

[@AlexPerrucci]

Thank you!

[@SpiritOfHalloween31]

I'm in the market for an NA Miata so this was very informative, thank you!

[@AlexPerrucci]

Glad it could help!

[@Notadrianmonroy]

Did the NB1 inherit this too? My 99 10AE Miata seems to have multiple issues and I don’t abuse/neglect it.

[@pete5534]

Wow. Succinct video - nice work! Maybe add coolant flush to the fluid change regimen? Miata + 4Runner = good taste.

[@sumsum7747]

So I've got a wet spot right near the base of the seat but none closer to the peddles, can't tell if it's coolant.

[@couchpotato1374]

Thanks for the amazing tips Alex :) . So I have a problem on my Miata. Last time I took her for a drive everything went well for around 20mins but then on the way home the car wouldnt drive by itself, i had to give it gas to not stall; this was only happening when the car was in gear. So I did some tests: When clutched in fully and selecting a gear, the rpms drop to the point it almost stalls even though im still fully clutched in; in neutral the idle is fine though- I do not know how to proceed further. If anybody has had a similar problem or might still know a solution please help me out! Edit: It is a 92 with the stock 1.6l engine; nothing done to it expect an exhaust system.

[@robinforrest7680]

I was getting this in my 1.8. The revs would drop right down to 2-300 and it would sometimes stall at traffic lights or while slowing for a roundabout. I tried lots of things but what eventually did the trick was cleaning out the throttle body and butterfly valve with carb cleaner and then resetting the idle adjusting screw with a wire bridge on the ten and ground contacts on the diagnostic socket to about 900rpm. New HT leads and spark plugs probably helped too.

[@pedrocantsleep]

helpful video as always alex!

[@SuperHockeyman44]

Alex! What would fix a crunchy second gear shift? And fourth. Is it a shifter rebuild? Trans fluid?

[@AlexPerrucci]

I’d try trans fluid first. Then maybe shifter rebuild. If that doesn’t do it then it’s probably worn synchros/gear in the trans.

[@abbeyg.45]

Hi Alex, I have a 92 NA with 125k. Suspension is tight but tie rod end boots are torn. Would you replace just the boots or the whole tie rod end. Amazon has Mevotech tie rod ends for about $17 each, what are your thoughts ? Thanks have been enjoying your videos.

[@MountTinMan]

Hi Alex! Thank you for this super helpful video! Any tips for bleeding the clutch master cylinder? My slave went out (the master had been replaced recently by a previous owner) and now I can not get the master to bleed correctly. It will seem fine for a couple of minutes and then goes out completely for a while and then come back, etc… Thanks in advance for any advice! (1994 NA)

[@massiemedia3794]

Buy a c-clamp to put over the slave cylinder push rod.. it’s a cheat code

[@Jayy80_]

I have a issue with the stock throttle body the elbows are rotted out and the previous owner had siliconed them so I’ve gone to replace the coolant and breather hoses and it’s gone completely is there any cheep way to fix it like tap new elbows onto it as I can’t find a throttle body for a 1994 eunos roadster 1.8 auto 🥲

[@chubby-taco1084]

Where do u buy oem seals and oem things

[@AlexPerrucci]

Moss Miata mostly!

[@matiasramonot5321]

it’s so funny you have a 4runner and a miata cuz i have the same set up

[@AlexPerrucci]

Haha that’s awesome!

[@wavyboy1919]

best set up

[@gimmefuel7268]

Alex are these more geared toward the 1.6 VS the 1.8? Thanks man.

[@AlexPerrucci]

Both!

[@seinarukishi9228]

Very few differences.

[@outlawden5ity676]

LIFTER TICK, I need answers 😞

[@roelandzw1846]

Putting back the cas is a pain in the ass😤

[@AlexPerrucci]

True! I found If you loosen the two 12mm bolts right where it goes in it makes it easier.

[@roelandzw1846]

@@AlexPerrucci i removed the back cap from the sensor. Then i could rotate the spinner with my finger. Fastening the cap with a very tiny Philips ratchet.

[@robinforrest7680]

You look cold!

[@AlexPerrucci]

It was super windy!

[@robinforrest7680]

@@AlexPerrucci i feel for you, here in the Rhône valley we get the Mistral and « la Bize », I nearly froze my ***** off this weekend changing out the rotors on my VW T4 and my sons Renault 21.Brrrrr 🥶