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1991 Mazda Miata engine problem


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sarahtrinh
New User

Oct 6, 2012, 8:45 AM

Post #1 of 6 (3011 views)
1991 Mazda Miata engine problem Sign In

I don't know if it is an engine issue or not, it was working fine a few days ago, but was getting hot so the next morning I filled up the (low/empty) radiator, and added a little oil because it was needed. Then when I tried driving it getting it to accelerate was slow and difficult for the car. the car is making strange noises and shaking way more than it was the night before. It is acting very strange and I'm scared to even drive it to a shop to get it diagnosed. I had it diagnosed about a month ago when it needed a new radiator, and I insisted that there had to be something wrong with my engine but everyone (two shops and relatives) said it was fine and I was just crazy. I don't know what to do, I have work Monday..


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 6, 2012, 9:17 AM

Post #2 of 6 (2995 views)
Re: 1991 Mazda Miata engine problem Sign In

Did you have another radiator installed?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 6, 2012, 9:20 AM)


sarahtrinh
New User

Oct 6, 2012, 9:25 AM

Post #3 of 6 (2987 views)
Re: 1991 Mazda Miata engine problem Sign In

Alright, i'l make sure to do that. Thanks! Do you have any suggestions about what i should do in regards to the excess vibration of my engine? If its any help to the diagnosis, it has started making a consistent put-put-put sound when the accelerator is pressed, which is completely new.

Edit: Yes a new radiator was installed recently by my brother, however he made sure to run the engine with it installed and checked the connections to the radiator, so we have ruled out that the coolant is leaking from the radiator side.


(This post was edited by sarahtrinh on Oct 6, 2012, 9:26 AM)


Discretesignals
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Oct 6, 2012, 9:35 AM

Post #4 of 6 (2973 views)
Re: 1991 Mazda Miata engine problem Sign In

That is a tough call. You may still have a coolant leak or the engine could be burning it if your still adding coolant. Suggest you have the coolant system pressure tested to see if you can visually see any other leaks.


You could have a misfiring cylinder(s). You would have to determine what is causing the misfires after you figure out which cylinder(s) is skipping. To figure out which cylinder is skipping, you have to disable one cylinder at a time while the engine is running by either disabling that cylinder's spark or fuel. The cylinder(s) that don't make a change in the running of the engine is the one that is missing.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


sarahtrinh
New User

Oct 6, 2012, 10:13 AM

Post #5 of 6 (2967 views)
Re: 1991 Mazda Miata engine problem Sign In

While adding oil to my engine i accidentally spilled some of the oil onto the top of the engine. I tried to clean some of the oil off with water. Since the spark plugs go in from the top of the engine, could the misfires be the result of a short in one of the spark plugs as a result of being exposed to the water?


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 6, 2012, 10:20 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2965 views)
Re: 1991 Mazda Miata engine problem Sign In

Definitely. Remove the spark plug boots from the head and look down there to see if water got in there. If water gets in there, it can cause the spark to jump to ground in the spark plug well instead of going through the gap in the spark plug.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 6, 2012, 10:20 AM)






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