Car sounds like a tractor

peter · Post by **peter** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:13 pm

Great weather in Auckland for top-down driving!
Except the car sounds like a tractor when I accelerate, a day after I filled
up at BP Waterview...
I've checked the sparkplug leads etc, any suggestions?
It's intermittent at times, but mostly occurs under load - speeding up
etc...

Cheers!

Peter
DRGN1

MadMaz · Post by **MadMaz** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:54 pm

That sounds like a bad case of engine knocking owing to the ignition timing
being too advanced for the octane rating of the fuel you're using.

Are you using 91? I wouldn't run 91 in an MX5 because the octane rating for
that grade is very inconsistent these days. 95 or pref 98 is the way to go.
It's either that or possibly contaminants present in the fuel, such as
water.

Though the following is the unlikely cause of the problem, check that your
engine oil level isn't low - a rep friend of mine was wondering why his
Mitsi was knocking in the bottom ends a couple of years ago and it turned
out the oil level didn't even reach the bottom of the dip stick.
Fortunately, 2 litres of oil later, all was O.K. Very lucky.

Cheers
Mark

MadMaz · Post by **MadMaz** » Mon May 01, 2006 6:54 pm

That sounds like a bad case of engine knocking owing to the ignition timing
being too advanced for the octane rating of the fuel you're using.

Are you using 91? I wouldn't run 91 in an MX5 because the octane rating for
that grade is very inconsistent these days. 95 or pref 98 is the way to go.
It's either that or possibly contaminants present in the fuel, such as
water.

Though the following is the unlikely cause of the problem, check that your
engine oil level isn't low - a rep friend of mine was wondering why his
Mitsi was knocking in the bottom ends a couple of years ago and it turned
out the oil level didn't even reach the bottom of the dip stick.
Fortunately, 2 litres of oil later, all was O.K. Very lucky.

Cheers
Mark

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Mon May 01, 2006 7:59 pm

Check Oil Levels first!

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

If you can find it, try some soapy water on the exhaust joins and DON'T BURN
YOURSELF!

- Dave.

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Mon May 01, 2006 7:59 pm

Check Oil Levels first!

Sounds like an exhaust leak to me.

If you can find it, try some soapy water on the exhaust joins and DON'T BURN
YOURSELF!

- Dave.

peter · Post by **peter** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:21 pm

thanks Mark and David - I normally run Mobil 98 but ended up with BP 95 on a
very wet day...

It's not the exhaust unfortunately...

Peter
DRGN1

KSCRIM · Post by **KSCRIM** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:48 pm

I got a tankful of 91 once, the station tanks had been refilled with the
wrong grade!!! That was in a car that needed 96 or better, a Hillman Imp.
Didn't run at all well. I run 91 in my 98NB6C with no problems. If your
ignition is "bumped" to 14 degrees or more, then it won't be happy on a
lower grade fuel.

Kevin

[...]

KSCRIM · Post by **KSCRIM** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:48 pm

I got a tankful of 91 once, the station tanks had been refilled with the
wrong grade!!! That was in a car that needed 96 or better, a Hillman Imp.
Didn't run at all well. I run 91 in my 98NB6C with no problems. If your
ignition is "bumped" to 14 degrees or more, then it won't be happy on a
lower grade fuel.

Kevin

[...]

bert wouda · Post by **bert wouda** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:58 pm

My NB '99 1.6 runs as a Swiss watch on 91, and very economical .

BW

**********

bert wouda · Post by **bert wouda** » Mon May 01, 2006 8:58 pm

My NB '99 1.6 runs as a Swiss watch on 91, and very economical .

BW

**********

Keith Smith · Post by **Keith Smith** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:04 pm

My NA 92 runs happily on 91 also... and I agree with Chris.
Apologies to all comers on the list for my involvement previous. Keith
On 01/05/2006, at 8:58 PM, bert wouda wrote:

[...]

From chris.tankard@aderant.com Fri Apr 27 17:57:57 2007
Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subject: Re: Petrol grade
Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 21:07:41 +1200
Thread-Topic: Petrol grade
Thread-Index: AcZs/iyzg36ikOATQYW/SanPixJPQwAAIWDa
From: "Chris Tankard" <chris.tankard@aderant.com>
To: <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <igOSmC.A.ASH.bGZMGB@L733>

I would stick at 14 degs. Regardless you will feel a difference running with 98 (and not just a lightening of the pocketbook.)

C

(Sent from my BlackBerry)

From jifjif@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 17:57:58 2007
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Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 21:09:23 +1200
From: ~Jeff~ <jifjif@gmail.com>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: Car sounds like a tractor
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it *does* sound kinda like spark plug leads...

On 01/05/06, peter <peter@dragon.net.nz> wrote:
[...]

Keith Smith · Post by **Keith Smith** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:04 pm

My NA 92 runs happily on 91 also... and I agree with Chris.
Apologies to all comers on the list for my involvement previous. Keith
On 01/05/2006, at 8:58 PM, bert wouda wrote:

[...]

From chris.tankard@aderant.com Fri Apr 27 17:57:57 2007
Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subject: Re: Petrol grade
Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 21:07:41 +1200
Thread-Topic: Petrol grade
Thread-Index: AcZs/iyzg36ikOATQYW/SanPixJPQwAAIWDa
From: "Chris Tankard" <chris.tankard@aderant.com>
To: <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <igOSmC.A.ASH.bGZMGB@L733>

I would stick at 14 degs. Regardless you will feel a difference running with 98 (and not just a lightening of the pocketbook.)

C

(Sent from my BlackBerry)

From jifjif@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 17:57:58 2007
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Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 21:09:23 +1200
From: ~Jeff~ <jifjif@gmail.com>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: Car sounds like a tractor
In-Reply-To: <006a01c66ce6$4d9fe440$0301010a@Dragon>
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it *does* sound kinda like spark plug leads...

On 01/05/06, peter <peter@dragon.net.nz> wrote:
[...]

jolyon39 · Post by **jolyon39** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:15 pm

Hi Peter,

Have you rung BP Waterview and asked if they have had a problem? The new
petrol may be coincidental but it is worth asking.

To me a "tractor" sound would be water in the distributor or around the plug
leads. It is unlikely that you have driven though a puddle 30cm's dep so
this leaves bad leads like the suggestion below.

Cheers

Jolyon

From chris.tankard@aderant.com Fri Apr 27 17:57:59 2007
Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subject: Re: I need a second hand Diff
Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 21:17:11 +1200
Thread-Topic: I need a second hand Diff
Thread-Index: AcZs5oQHf0+eaYotRvqbdy/nc3niBwAFl/mQAADIln4=
From: "Chris Tankard" <chris.tankard@aderant.com>
To: <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <A9CsZ.A.ESH.bGZMGB@L733>

Sorry to hear about the diff. Unfortuantly the 1.6 diffs are notoriously weak and can be easily ruined with spirited driving.

I would recommend looking on miata.net there is a ton of info including detailed step by step guides.

C

(Sent from my BlackBerry)

jolyon39 · Post by **jolyon39** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:15 pm

Hi Peter,

Have you rung BP Waterview and asked if they have had a problem? The new
petrol may be coincidental but it is worth asking.

To me a "tractor" sound would be water in the distributor or around the plug
leads. It is unlikely that you have driven though a puddle 30cm's dep so
this leaves bad leads like the suggestion below.

Cheers

Jolyon

From chris.tankard@aderant.com Fri Apr 27 17:57:59 2007
Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Subject: Re: I need a second hand Diff
Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 21:17:11 +1200
Thread-Topic: I need a second hand Diff
Thread-Index: AcZs5oQHf0+eaYotRvqbdy/nc3niBwAFl/mQAADIln4=
From: "Chris Tankard" <chris.tankard@aderant.com>
To: <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <A9CsZ.A.ESH.bGZMGB@L733>

Sorry to hear about the diff. Unfortuantly the 1.6 diffs are notoriously weak and can be easily ruined with spirited driving.

I would recommend looking on miata.net there is a ton of info including detailed step by step guides.

C

(Sent from my BlackBerry)

David Moughtin · Post by **David Moughtin** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:19 pm

I have a spare set you can borrow for testing if you like.

David Moughtin

David Moughtin · Post by **David Moughtin** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:19 pm

I have a spare set you can borrow for testing if you like.

David Moughtin

peter · Post by **peter** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:15 pm

rang BP Waterview, no problems reported (as in no other customers have
mentioned it, no tanks have been drained...)

will replace the filter at the next opportunity - don't think it's been done
since I bought the car in 97.

Peter
DRGN1

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:35 pm

Any chance of clarification to the "tractor" sound?

Did the engine rattle?

Was the exhaust note different?

Was it a consistent sound at high revs or did it cut in and out?

Did it come in EVERY time you give it more juice or only sometimes.

- Dave.

Okibi · Post by **Okibi** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:35 pm

Any chance of clarification to the "tractor" sound?

Did the engine rattle?

Was the exhaust note different?

Was it a consistent sound at high revs or did it cut in and out?

Did it come in EVERY time you give it more juice or only sometimes.

- Dave.

Matt & Sarah Avery · Post by **Matt & Sarah Avery** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:51 pm

Are you sure its not an exhaust leak from the extractors. I had some
stainless Mazdaspeed extractors and the welds failed. It started out
sounding like a tractor, and always occurred under load but not while
cruising. On the way to get it repaired the weld totally failed giving
me an total exhaust system of less than half a metre long which was so
loud it drowned out several trucks at the traffic lights.

Matt & Sarah Avery · Post by **Matt & Sarah Avery** » Mon May 01, 2006 10:51 pm

Are you sure its not an exhaust leak from the extractors. I had some
stainless Mazdaspeed extractors and the welds failed. It started out
sounding like a tractor, and always occurred under load but not while
cruising. On the way to get it repaired the weld totally failed giving
me an total exhaust system of less than half a metre long which was so
loud it drowned out several trucks at the traffic lights.

peter · Post by **peter** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:46 pm

not anymore - replaced the high tension leads and spark plugs, found a hole
in one of the leads which caused arcing.

Replaced the fuel filter as well...

* Anyone wanting to restore their car to original? I have an original 1989
B61P fuel filter for sale, only done 189,000 kms... at say 10kms to the
litre means it's filtered 18,900 litres!

Peter

DRGN1 rides again!

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