Mazda MX5 Mk3 service Pt1

[@Sir-Prizse]

I've only just turned 30, but I'm already in a mid-life crisis and yes... I want a proper cheap sports car! The NC1 has always been my favorite of the 4th generations, because as a kid I thought it was a Jaguar. The design reminds me so much of a 2006 Jaguar XKR Convertible. The first car I ever bought was a 1999 MX-5 NB 1.6, which I gave to my mother for her 60th birthday and now I'm looking for my own little MX-5, I wouldn't have a problem getting the 1.8 with "only" 125 hp and open diff either. And in my opinion, a proper service is the most important thing of all for a car like this.

[@wieser98]

go for it, its an awesome car

[@brianpiersol9412]

I would replace the coolant expansion tank with an aftermarket aluminum type as the NC is the only gen MX5 that has a pressurized expansion tank. The plastic breaks down in time and it is fatal if it fails! If you do only one mod on an NC MX5, this is it!

[@NigelEaland]

Interesting this is new to me. Thanks for the comment. Is this seen mainly on the American Miata perhaps because of extreme heat they are running in?

[@dannyvan5792]

verry good video , manny thanks grts from belgium

[@snoopynumber2]

Nice video

[@robflyer4438]

Thanks for the video man. I got me one of these and it’s a fun car.

[@yunusturan1220]

Hayırlı olsun. Tekerine taş değmesin.

[@TypeRMetalHead]

Informative vid Nige :)

[@ghuldorgrey]

Amazing video man!

[@search5722]

when a bloke gets to an age.... turns out my age was 19 for a 1.8 nc 😂

[@frednetherlands887]

Great!

[@nevillescottsimpson2070]

I want to see a close up of the interesting spark plug!

[@NigelEaland]

I should have dropped in a close shot. The electrode is like a spike sitting on a cone. Not like the standard plugs. Look up TR5A1-13 images. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DMFGUGM/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_TXH2MHPXB1CXX0ZWDX52

[@NigelEaland]

Just realised who you are. The old devil.

[@schwinnbiking]

you dont need to remove any plastic covers to drain oil, there is a service port hole in the plastic

[@joeroganjosh9333]

At 61 this is EXACTLY what I need for my 2006 mx5 NC manual hardtop crisis - I thought about two wheels and thought…….nah, too old for that $%^&

[@NigelEaland]

No regrets and I have both 😆

[@arricammarques1955]

@@NigelEaland Inspired by the Lotus Elan & perfected by Mazda.

[@SuperWilde123]

Great video, just serviced mine. Do you replace the drain plug washer? Also do you fill the oil filter with some new oil before fitting it?

[@NigelEaland]

The correct answer would be yes replace the washer and yes fill the filter with oil if you can to minimise the time for oil to recirculate. That said I don’t do either every time. When I buy a filter it often comes with a washer so I would replace the old with the new. The washer is not a crush washer so can be reused provided there are no leaks. Often on cars filters are fitted horizontally rather than vertically so it’s not always possible to pre fill them before fitting. The engine is well lubricated and the oil pressure will come up within a second or two of a start.

[@sd8596]

Using a zip lock bag before you unscrew the old oil filter reduces the mess....

[@NigelEaland]

Good idea. I’ll try that next time.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

pour your oil from the top , not the bottom- it stops glugs and is a heck of a lot quicker

[@cameronbarry9534]

Do you have to line up the bottom of the air box at all? I’ve lined up the top and clipped in the clips but I am not 100% sure that there will any a gap at the bottom. It looks like it is slightly ajar, looking at your video I’m not sure if yours is the same?

[@NigelEaland]

I had to go and have a look at mine. There are a couple of plastic lugs at the bottom that slot in and then clip the top. Looking at mine even when in and clipped it seems to leaves a small gap at the bottom.

[@cameronbarry9534]

@@NigelEaland thanks for the information! Glad it isn’t just mine that has a small gap at the bottom.

[@rodfrancis9160]

Do some mx5's have a timing chain as well ? Not sure which I have on my 56 plate.

[@NigelEaland]

The 2005-2015 have timing chains that should last the life of the car. Thanks for watching.

[@joeroganjosh9333]

The ‘timing chain’ is the ‘cam chain’ ,right? I’ve been paying for car maintenance all my life and now I’m going to what I can myself. 2006 manual hardtop.

[@NigelEaland]

@@joeroganjosh9333 yes overhead cam with timing chain.

[@amullally]

You don't have to remove the cross bar underneath to change the oil

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

I bet the PVC is a bugger to replace.

[@kjss4345]

Why anyone would do their own oil change is beyond logic😂

[@Fo-shizzle-my-nizzle]

Have you gone down t he rabbit hole of removing and replacing the egr valve yet?

[@NigelEaland]

I’m afraid not. Reading my manual it suggests it’s difficult to access behind the cylinder head. There are videos on KZbin that may help. Good luck.

[@Fo-shizzle-my-nizzle]

@@NigelEaland No there's none for the mk3.

[@paulnarramore6828]

I've just today bought a 2001 MX-5. I've noticed that various engine oils are recommended for the car, so which would you recommend?

[@NigelEaland]

I used Mobil Super Synthetic 5W-30. www.mx5parts.co.uk/engine-fully-synthetic-ltrs-mk3-35-p-1587.html

[@kasraa4840]

Goodmorning, sorry what number of wrench did you use to open the spark plug?

[@NigelEaland]

You need to buy a socket set with a special plug socket.

[@kasraa4840]

@@NigelEaland would you please share the link so I'll able to buy one. Thanks a million

[@NigelEaland]

@@kasraa4840 as I said in the video you need a 10mm spark plug socket, long 1/2” extension bar and a 1/2” ratchet. Draper Expert 34479 10 mm 1/2-Inch Square Drive Hi-Torq Spark Plug Socket amzn.eu/d/5EWmZur

[@kasraa4840]

@@NigelEaland thank you a million

[@jasondavies6310]

Changing your oil every 6-months is it absolutely necessary not like the Mazda as a complex engine certain cars require oil changes soon for a Mazda MX5 isn't one of them

[@CosmicSeeker69]

there more bull talked about oil than most things. When I was in the Porsche club one area coordinator had working in the industry all of his life. His advice: Buy what's cheap bc each oil is made to a specification so in effect it's all the same (like sugar is sugar - salt is salt .. I also knew one woman who ran her diesel camper for 7 years before a change, three years later and still going strong