Timing Belt, ugh

[Travizzle21]

I have a real bad and worsening ticking noise. Was told that its most likely timing which is bad news bears.As you all know, the early year miatas are infamous for fatal problems caused by incorrect timing belt changes which makes me want to get it done by a shop. Only problem is, i dont have $500 laying around to get it done. My question is, has anyone done this themselves, or should I start saving. I'm pretty good with a wrench, but i dont wanna render my car useless by fookin it up.

 

[Nutari]

I have a real bad and worsening ticking noise. Was told that its most likely timing which is bad news bears.As you all know, the early year miatas are infamous for fatal problems caused by incorrect timing belt changes which makes me want to get it done by a shop. Only problem is, i dont have $500 laying around to get it done. My question is, has anyone done this themselves, or should I start saving. I'm pretty good with a wrench, but i dont wanna render my car useless by fookin it up.

pick up the book Miata Performance Projects by Keith Tanner. Step by step full color instructions on how to do it. $20~ at Amazon books. Best miata book there is.

 

[Travizzle21]

pick up the book Miata Performance Projects by Keith Tanner. Step by step full color instructions on how to do it. $20~ at Amazon books. Best miata book there is.

Awesome, thanks so much $20 plus parts kicks the poop outta $500

 

[R2s99zoom]

I have a real bad and worsening ticking noise. Was told that its most likely timing which is bad news bears.As you all know, the early year miatas are infamous for fatal problems caused by incorrect timing belt changes which makes me want to get it done by a shop. Only problem is, i dont have $500 laying around to get it done. My question is, has anyone done this themselves, or should I start saving. I'm pretty good with a wrench, but i dont wanna render my car useless by fookin it up.

miata motor is a "non-interference" motor. even if you had the cam gears in completely the opposite place than they're meant to be, you cannot kill the motor by having the timing belt in wrong.... if it doesn't start after, the worst thing is just having to tear it down and put the belt and cams and crank in the right place again.

its a pretty easy job, i've done it on 3 different cars now, it just takes time.

biggest bits of advice I can give you, is don't try to "save time" by leaving the radiator in...

also, make sure to loosen (not remove) just loosen the 3 bolts on the waterpump pulley before removing the belts.

its a great time to replace all the radiator hoses, too

 

[Travizzle21]

miata motor is a "non-interference" motor. even if you had the cam gears in completely the opposite place than they're meant to be, you cannot kill the motor by having the timing belt in wrong.... if it doesn't start after, the worst thing is just having to tear it down and put the belt and cams and crank in the right place again.

its a pretty easy job, i've done it on 3 different cars now, it just takes time.

biggest bits of advice I can give you, is don't try to "save time" by leaving the radiator in...

also, make sure to loosen (not remove) just loosen the 3 bolts on the waterpump pulley before removing the belts.

its a great time to replace all the radiator hoses, too

Thanks for the encouragement lol i really needed it. Im due for an oil change so im gonna do that this weekend, hopefully thats all it is, if not, then ill clean the lifters. But i do need to change the timing belt anyway, so ill be picking up my parts over the next couple weeks. But thank you and if i have any questions, y'all will be hearing from me haha

 

[kcbhiw]

Since you are eluding to having an early 1.6L Miata with the SNC, purchase a new main bolt and mind the torque spec, 83.5 ft/lb (+/- 1)...stick to that number. Locktite the threads as well.

While you're in there, you might as well replace the water pump, the idler and tensioner pulleys, and front main seal.

 

[MiaTurbo]

If it's a ticking noise, especially when cold, I'd say it could be lifters.

 

[Travizzle21]

Since you are eluding to having an early 1.6L Miata with the SNC, purchase a new main bolt and mind the torque spec, 83.5 ft/lb (+/- 1)...stick to that number. Locktite the threads as well.

While you're in there, you might as well replace the water pump, the idler and tensioner pulleys, and front main seal.

I hear ya. I planned on doin it. I read about it on miata.net, so when i do it, ill def replace and correctly torque the bolt and replace the water pump. no sense in tearin it down twice lol

If it's a ticking noise, especially when cold, I'd say it could be lifters.

I think it is too, im going to change the oil this weekend, hopefully quiet it down. then when i replace the timing belt ill clean the lifters

Thanks guys for the advice and encouragement(2thumbs)

 

[MiaTurbo]

If it's a ticking noise, especially when cold, I'd say it could be lifters.

I think it is too, im going to change the oil this weekend, hopefully quiet it down. then when i replace the timing belt ill clean the lifters

Thanks guys for the advice and encouragement(2thumbs)

um, 'cleaning the lifters' will require taking the cams out of the head. Not something i'd recomend for someone who isn't comfortible easily doing a timing belt.

 

[aMaff]

If it's a ticking noise, especially when cold, I'd say it could be lifters.

yeah, it's likely not the timing / the belt. Sometimes something as simple as an oil change can cure it. There are a few engine flush 'techniques' out there but I don't know how much faith I really put in those.

 

[MiaTurbo]

yeah, it's likely not the timing / the belt. Sometimes something as simple as an oil change can cure it. There are a few engine flush 'techniques' out there but I don't know how much faith I really put in those.

I use to put auto transmission fluid to help with the noise in my Poncho V8. But it's really not fixing the problem, just hiding it. now i just hid the problem on Kluge by taking out the exhaust. i can't hear the lifters anymore! (crazy)

 

[Travizzle21]

um, 'cleaning the lifters' will require taking the cams out of the head. Not something i'd recomend for someone who isn't comfortible easily doing a timing belt.

noted

 

[smittyp3]

Hey does anyone know if a 2002 protege 2.0 is interference?

 

[aMaff]

No

 

[kcbhiw]

Hey does anyone know if a 2002 protege 2.0 is interference?

This is the Miata forum.

There was never a Protege (or Miata for that matter) with an interference engine.