Mazda Mx5 Miata Timing Belt Install | EASY Step By Step Guide!

Complete Step by Step Guide to Installing your Cam Gears, Pulleys, and Timing Belt on a Mazda Mx5 Miata. Install and Time your engine in less than 10 minutes!
Engine is a BP 1.8L out of a 1997 NA Miata
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[@rs2hoon257]

Nice and informative. Just one more thing to point out, if you count the number of teeth on the belt at TDC from the top intake cam mark to the top exhaust cam mark it should be 19 teeth. Great video guys.

[@scrusius2849]

Has that got to do with tension ?

[@rs2hoon257]

It has to do with cam gear orientation, if both cam gears are positioned properly, you will notice that there are 19 teeth (on the belt) that start at the top intake mark to the top exhaust mark on the gears. Tension does also play a role as if it’s slack, you will count more teeth. The belt should be nice and taut. Normally takes a few attempts but it’s pretty straight forward on a Miata. Hope that helps answer your question.

[@scrusius2849]

@@gingernuts8973 heh?

[@adamburris113]

I'm building a Miata motor right now, thank you so much for your information. It just made my life so much easier.

[@12alexiscool]

Saved my ass

[@tonimartinovic5552]

4:44 Wrong, you should start with the exhaust side because the roller is fixed there, much easier to get it right the first time that way.

[@Nebbia_affaraccimiei]

agree, no idea where he took that idea!

[@slybunda]

@@Nebbia_affaraccimiei even with engine out of the car they struggling.

[@Jay1987__]

Agree. The most backwards way of timing an engine lol. Keep the fixed side tight, get the belt slack near the tensioner and tighten up. The way their doing it wouldn't work with modern vag engines with variable cams. Deviation would be all over the place

[@GR44N]

4:23 "under the valve train, the cam is under tension so the cams want to move" That actually answered so many of my questions, thank you :)

[@TheSlipAngle]

:)

[@SpareTimeGearHeads]

Good video! I do mine slightly different, I usually leave the spring tensioner unhooked until the timing belt is on. Once the timing belt is on I take needle nose plyers and hook the tensioner spring, then do one rotation getting the timing belt slack taught, then tighten the tensioner, then double check with a Straight Edge on checking the alignment marks on top across the IN & EX timing gears. Usually it's really apparent if your off a tooth with the straight edge. You guys still have a good method. I would suggest Gates Racing T179RB kevlar reinforced timing belt. I wish you guys did a full engine build. Ryan the pandemic will be over by the time you drop the engine in, pick up the build pace buddy! Be safe gents, keep up the great content!

[@bobbyrios2k223]

Good job!! I hated doing timing belts. I did it in my old integra twice because I've had it so long, but it's such a pain in the ass when it's in the car

[@adri1leusha]

nobody's got 4k screens, 1080p is the GOAT

[@TheSlipAngle]

lol

[@brucewiser9270]

Good video guys! A nice example of parallax error and how viewing something at an angle can give you a false reading. Keep up the good work!

[@holidaydavontia]

I found out my Miata jumped timing mechanic shop said it jumped two teeth it won’t start at all. They want to charge me 1200 for the job. Thanks for the video I hope I can manage to fix my car myself 😅

[@cre8tivegarage157]

Do you advise we take the motor out or we can do it inside the car ?

[@DriveItRyan]

Someone's gotta keep that Jonathan guy under control!! 🤣

[@one234569and10]

"You don't think its good to do it in reverse?" shouldnt you know that if you guys make these pro videos - which I love btw.

[@treeskier802]

How often should the timing belt and water pump be replaced in the NC Miata?

[@alubchicken]

That was really helpful.

[@bigercat]

Thank you!! All the other videos sucked

[@colinfoote8683]

got to 5.20 .... how many more times is the guy on the intake side going to let the belt slip a tooth. ill now continue.

[@Powerhauz]

Hey Mr "ParkItRyan". 1080p the way for me, bud. 4k, like 3d tv, is over rated and overpriced for what it is. In car terms, 4k is like a WRX STI. Good video as always, guys. Don't even have a miata(yet) but I'm watching.

[@squidelleotious6362]

This engine is in the Wrench mechanic game on steam, I was wondering if you know of any apps or sites where I could download or print out a engine manual for this engine,,

[@edwingonzalezjr4203]

Cool vid guys. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@bigercat]

Can you guys also do a video on the valve cover install?

[@GR44N]

Here is my how to remove the valve cover on the Mazdaspeed Miata, I hope it helps you in your installation: www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php/topic,25905.0.html

[@ghostpunkkilla]

Some of us are forced to watch in 360P cause of data caps.

[@joeturner8922]

Pretty wild question but why are you lining up the E with the timing mark on the intake side?

[@TheSlipAngle]

The E gets lined up with the marks on the intake side but the I is verticle. The same goes for the Exhaust side, E is vertical but the I gets lined up with the mark. I thought that this was a little strange as well.

[@jccchapman7604]

that's not the way you set belt tension

[@p.munster9209]

This is just one way of doing it!

[@lancemiller6039]

il have a 91 1.6 / only have 2 slots on cam gears, which on do i use?

[@myshots101]

I don't know what year your car is but my 91 states 27-38 ft lbs for the tensioner.. I just finish resetting mine yesterday. I gave it 30ft lbs. It's nice and tight. How many teeth does your belt have? These marks are shit compared to my mr2. Miata has too many confusing marks that just don't line up right. Also you go counter clockwise when you install the belt. I hope you replaced those two rubber hose plugs. The back one and the larger one between the oil filter and the alternator.

[@nelsonlu5878]

Quick question, why is advan rg2 your favourite wheels?

[@Mawson6492]

FOURRR KAAAYYY

[@davidmccaughan2710]

Looks great full screen on my retina MBP, no need for more than that. More pore detail is not needed or welcomed.

[@st0phmeist3r]

bro that guys watch is blinging out

[@lakai958]

I need to do this, because my Miata's previous owner did the whole timing belt service right before I got the car a few months ago. But neglected to do the cam seals. So it's now on me to do it 😅 I ordered a cam ninja from FM, and I'm going to paint mark everything and use a buncha zip ties to lock everything in place lol.

[@ibrahimzawiya1148]

Thanks you so much 👌👍

[@TheSlipAngle]

Welcome 😊

[@nikolaishriver7922]

I cant find any info anywhere on which way the tensioner spring should face, or if it makes a difference. I have it over the tensioner, and under the pin, but does it matter which hook is on the pin and which hook is on the tensioner? It seems like its at a terribly awkward angle no matter what I do with it, and I don't trust it to hang onto that little pin

[@TheSlipAngle]

It doesn't matter. I usually do the opening facing downward

[@nikolaishriver7922]

@@TheSlipAngle I appreciate it, it looked the same either way to me, but that gives me peace of mind

[@carlosvaladez2186]

Thank you

[@Thiborfirenz]

So from the looks of this I should probably take my nc to the mx5 specialist to have the timing belt changed rather than the local garage.

[@TheSlipAngle]

This procedure is for the NA/NB Miata engines. The NC uses a timing chain so the intervals if any are going to be way longer than any belt.

[@Thiborfirenz]

@@TheSlipAngle thank you very much for letting me know that. Gotta be honest, as an old opel manta guy I prefer timing chains over belts. Yes chains are a bigger and more expensive job to do but you never have to worry that a chain will just snap, delam or jump off the wheels.

[@zoobarb]

Stop WHINING! Decent video. My belt whines now though. The tensioner is too tight I believe (that's the interwebs consensus). I've yet to find a video that explains how tight the belt should be. Also, if it's spring loaded why does it have to be locked in place or better yet, what's the point of the spring at all? ('91 203,000 miles VIN post short nose)

[@PotionShop]

there is a tool u can use to measure tightness of the timing belt, its mentioned in my 1991 tech manuel, but can't figure out what the tool is called. edit: my whines also, changed the belt twice different brands still whines

[@byrysh]

Get the slack on the tensioner side and the spring will pull plenty tight

[@kenjimoto215]

Yea. You're not suppose to push on the tensioner and lock it. The spring helps you to give the right amount of tension so just tighten the bolt.

[@ItzGiooo]

So do I line up the bitch cut out or the letter itself?

[@ItzGiooo]

Notch *

[@sayyeddavis8199]

Where should the pistons be positioned when doing this??

[@TheSlipAngle]

Cylinder 1 at TDC noted by the mark on the crank gear.

[@sayyeddavis8199]

@@TheSlipAngle Got it. Thank you 😊

[@cutl00senc]

Take a long straw and put it in the spark plug hole after setting the crank to TDC. If the straw falls down the hole, turn the crank another 360 degrees and the straw should be much higher. This is TDC on #1 cylinder. Another 360 degrees is TDC on #4 cylinder.

[@Worthyhighlights]

Love how the dude talking keeps calling his friend "buddy" as in to belittle him. Okay hot shot.

[@TheSlipAngle]

hmm

[@overmarsdaria3222]

Sorry guys couldn't follow you too many advert on the way, just gave it up!!

[@TheSlipAngle]

Just an FYI KZbin will insert ads regardless of whether or not you are monetized at their own discretion.

[@juic714]

What if there’s no slack And it’s tight, even without the tensioner

[@TheSlipAngle]

Belt size incorrect

[@Toby-x96]

When Is Mike gonna make another appearance?

[@maverick12916]

When dude called a ratchet a socket he lost all cred.

[@TheSlipAngle]

Makes sense

[@JulianValentini]

No coolant reroute?

[@DriveItRyan]

Julian Valentini pondering it. I’m torn.

[@micThurrr]

@@DriveItRyan The motor is out so yes do it now!!!

[@sea_turtle_adventures]

Get the Ninja tool from Fly'n Miata... Locks the cams in place perfectly. No guess work and no playing with slack belts.. blah blah blah.

[@vidademikey9790]

That constant focus hunting is terrible. Lol

[@atotalpro]

I can't remember, what is Ryans goal with this car?

[@DriveItRyan]

Nick Hoffmann I can’t remember either

[@neilobusk]

My now passed away dad..always said...learn to cut your own hair.. :) fast forward the future... and yeah loving the install vid :) N x

[@DriveItRyan]

neil2015999 Neil you don’t wanna see what this head of hair looks like right now. It’s out of control 🦁

[@josesalinas6710]

That’s so incorrect you give your tension side the slack always

[@jeffruebens8355]

A guy at work took his Miata to a dealer for a new timing belt. They messed up the timing and likely raced it during the test drive, burning a valve. And Mazda wonders why their good cars do not sell better, along with the rotary engine problems.

[@vidademikey9790]

1 mazda dealer mechanic does not determine the behavior/skill of every single mazda mechanic in the country. Lol

[@Firebert79TA]

time-wasting stops at 0:59

[@jrg116]

First!

[@jurgenslongo8526]

Seid ihr Anfänger? So wird der Zahnriemen, definitiv, nicht montiert. Er muss immer von der gegenüberliegenden Seite, der Spannrolle aufgelegt werden. Und warum, verwendet ihr kein "Absteck Werkzeug'? Es kostet 7 Euro und macht das Auflegen problemlos möglich. Bevor ihr solche Videos hochladet, solltet ihr euch schlau machen, wie es gemacht wird.