Oh no. Gene's at it again.

2003 Mazda Miata, Classic Red, base model - JM1NB353X30301643

February 18, 2012

1. 106,500 miles
2. Cleaned and oiled K&N air filter. Wasn’t too dirty.
3. Lubed the window rails. They’re opening up more quickly now.
4. Not seeing any oil leaks on motor.

February 18, 2012

1. 105,200 miles
2. Fixed the droopy eyeballs. Worked like a charm.
3. Doesn’t seem to be leaking oil anymore. Will still keep an eye on it.
4. Hearing some clunking, wondering if it could be a bad wheel bearing or two.
5. Put thin coat of vaseline on the convertible top gaskets. Let’s see if that helps stop the leaking. It did clean the weatherstripping and soften it up a bit.

February 3, 2012

1. 104,942 miles
2. Oil change at Auto Works: 5W30 Mobile-1
3. New valve cover gasket. They cleaned the motor well.
4. They cleaned the bottom of the motor area and underguard. Will keep an eye out for oil leak down there. They put dye in the oil to make it easier to spot.
5. Drove the car in heavy rain this weekend and the top leaked pretty badly on passenger side. Leaked on driver’s side, too. Gotta look into that.

January 2, 2012

1. 104,088 miles
2. Motor was about a quart low on oil. Topped it off.
3. Seems there might be something leaking on front lower part of engine. There’s some fluid on the suspension, a/c, and splash guard parts. Will keep an eye on it.

July 31, 2011

1. 100,900 miles
2. Washed, clay barred, and waxed car. Looking real good. Paint was not too rough and it didn’t take much effort to get the bar over it.
3. Removed the Shark Attack II antenna and put the stock one back on. The black jobbie would not stay on tight, and I did not like it moving around. There was no water on the trunk compartment, however.
4. Passenger-side fog lamp is still working after the magical twist.

July 13, 2011

1. 100,617 miles
2. Tires rotated, balanced verified. All are wearing evenly.

June 24, 2011

1. Hit 100,000 miles!
2. Used duct tape to cover the holes in the plenum on the inside of the hood.

June 5, 2011

1. 99,445 miles
2. Changed oil, put in fresh Mobil-1 5W30. Got oil filter out from above the motor. It was only slightly difficult.
3. Engine is not burning oil. Nice.
4. Cleaned out front fenders. Removed a ball-point pen, some sand paper, and about two cups of dirt, leaves, and detritus. Wasn’t too hard to do.
5. Adjusted passenger-side fog lamp and twisted it a bit. Maybe it won’t go out again.

April 16, 2011

1. 98,100 miles
2. Installed replacement outside mirror from Parts Group. Had it painted by Maaco for $30. Paint matches well, but it’s not smooth. They clearly did not care too much about  the paint finish.
3. Replaced broken cigarette lighter.
4. Put screws, nuts, and washers on console compartment tension spring assemblies. Working very well.

April 2, 2011

1. 97,750 miles
2. Installed K&N air filter I got from Parts Group for $10, after a good cleaning and oiling. It made the motor really grumbly, which I kinda like. But the motor definitely seems to be breathing better, especially when I open the throttle a good bit. Money well spent.

March 22, 2011

1. In a fit of unmitigated genius, I backed the car out of the garage too close to the house frame and destroyed the side-view mirror. Brilliant! I’ve got a replacement on order from Parts Group.

March 8, 2011

1. 97,075 miles
2. Installed the Shark Attack II antenna. I had to use a big washer to get it to install tightly, and I still don’t think it’s tight enough. I’m not sure if it’s water-tight or not. It looks good, however, and FM reception is good.
3. I did not splice the signal amplifier wire — I just electrical-taped it to the power coupling. Worked a charm.

February 27, 2011

1. Replaced console piece with new one that the ghetto car stereo store got for me. Inner console cover is still damaged, as is cigarette lighter. The spring on the middle cup holder fell off again, too.
2. Will get new lighter and then remove console again to put screws on the cup holder springs. The console piece cannot be replaced because it’s part of the entire dash assembly. Thanks a lot, ghetto car audio install shop.
3. Shark Attack II antenna is on its way.

February 25, 2011

1. 96,656 miles.
2. All work done by AutoWorks. They were very good about the alignment. Bob Boudreaux is a racer and understood what I wanted.
3. Fuel pump replaced.
4. Front and rear disc pads replaced with new ceramics. Rotors resurfaced. The Napa pads I had installed on the front were incorrect (got a full refund from Napa. Winning!). The braking is much, much better, and the fade is gone. I bedded the new pads and they’re settling in quite nicely.
5. Outer tie rod ends replaced with new parts from Rosenthal.
6. Sport Bilsteins and sport springs from Parts Group installed. I held on to the original springs.
7. Lanny alignment with ballast.
8. Hot damn!
9. NVH has hardly increased, but road feel is greatly improved. It’s like driving an X-Acto knife. No more pitch or yaw, the car is faster, turns faster, and sticks like a mofo. The negative camber on the rear wheels has a tremendously positive effect.
10. Ride height seems about the same.

February 12 and 13, 2011

1. Drove to Blanco with Camille on Saturday. Drove to Dripping Springs by myself on Sunday. There was plenty of hoonage on Sunday. I got 300 miles to the tank for the weekend. Not bad at all.
2. I tried to replace the fuel filter but gave up. It has those funny plastic clamps and I did not have the removal tool.

February 9, 2011

1. Brake fluid replaced. Brakes are less squishy and feel better. Have been bedding in the pads and that has helped, too.
2. Clutch fluid replaced. Clutch pedal feels firmer and more responsive.
3. Coolant system power flush with system operating, flush engine block, radiator, and heater core. Replenish antifreeze and coolant.
4. All work done by AutoWorks.
5. The hood alignment problem was corrected. AutoWorks had installed the strut tower in reverse. They realized this and corrected it. The hood is now flush when closed. Yay!

February 8, 2011

1. 95,958 miles
2. Got refund from Moss Miata for those grills.
3. Replaced the PCV valve. The grommet looked OK, but have a replacement on hand. The air hose, and others under the hood, seem a bit brittle and their clamps are loose.
4. Removed the power lead from the antenna. Testing whether it’s worth keeping it down, replacing it, or installing a manual switch.
5. Sport springs and Bilsteins have arrived from the Parts Group. The boots and bump stops from Fat Cat should be here in a day or two.

January 24, 2011

1. Washed car. Cleaned top with RaggTop — gave it a good scrubbing. Applied RaggTop protectorant and the top looks much better. It’s more black, less faded, and just plain looks better.

January 23, 2011

1. Tried to install Moss Miata grill. After an hour, I gave up on trying to remove the baby teeth bolts. Fuck those things. I’m sending the grill(s) back. Might try to find a grill with teeth cutouts.
2. Sprayed some lithium grease down the window tracks. Aww yeah, those things go up and down lickety-split now.

January 22, 2011

1. JVC KW-XR610 head unit installed by San Antonio Sounds and Wheels for $50. Purchased refurbished from Audio Savings for $140. Didn’t have a scratch on it.
2. The install guy messed up the console; he’s gonna replace it. The antenna goes up as soon as the car is turned on, whether the head unit is on or not. I’m gonna have him install a switch for the antenna.

January 16, 2011

1. Installed Raceland wind blocker.
2. Pros: good decrease in cabin noise and wind turbulence.
3. Cons: it’s dark, blocks a lot of light, and its top takes up a lot of the rear viewing field.

January 13, 2011

1. 95,250 miles
2. Installed Voodoo shift knob. Glossy black, heavy, has a nice feel, but hold the temperature very well. Shifting is smoother and requires less effort.
3. Installed new rubber pedal pads.
4. Cleaned out the quarter window channel with alcohol and lubed it with Syl-Glide. There’s been a little improvement.

January 8, 2011

1. 95,123 miles
2. Bought a new jack and stands, put car up, and replaced transmission and differential fluid.
3. Differential bolts were easy to remove.
4. Transmission fill bolt was a pain in the ass. Used a 9/16″ open wrench to get it off, that took forever maneuvering around the frame brace and exhaust pipe. Bought an adjustable wrench and that made putting it back on much easier.
5. Transmission drain bolt required an extension for the 24mm socket, to clear the frame brace.
6. Used a 1-gallon pump, put both quarts of Motorcraft into an empty gallon jug and filled it up that way. The Motorcraft fluid looks like honey.
7. 1qt Mobile-1 differential fluid and 2qts Motorcraft full-synthetic manual transmission fluid.
8. Already it’s easier to shift into gears, especially into reverse and second. This is good stuff.

January 1, 2011

1. Replaced shift boots and shifter bushing. Both boots were cracked. Turret was empty; filled it with Mobile-1.
2. HUGE improvement!

December 30, 2010

1. Hit 95,000 miles

December 28, 2010

1. 93,850 miles
2. Two new keys from Ingram Park Mazda: cost $200 and took three hours
3. New wiper blades
4. Replaced folding licence plate mount. So far, so good.

December 18, 2010

1. 93,500 miles
2. Changed oil: Mobile-1 5W50, new K&N fuel filter (with 1″ removal bolt)
3. Sprayed penetrant oil on differential bolts. Could not get to tranny bolts due to air in hydraulic jack.
4. Fiddled with fog light fittings; was loose on passenger side. Bulb still good.

December 9, 2010

1. Trip to NOLA
2. 93,242 miles at start, 94,520 miles at end: 1,278 miles.
3. Did the trip in 9:45
4. Got around 30 mpg on highway. Kept it below 85 mpg due to frequent cops.

December 7, 2010

1. 93,254 miles
2. Auto Works, $787
   1. New timing belt, water pump, tensioner pully, serpentine belts
   2. New crank shaft seal and valve cover seal
   3. Rear window tint removed
   4. Brakes inspected and found to be OK
   5. Bosch universal oxygen sensor installed; CEL gone
3. Installed dashboard fuse cover, trunk cardboard and mat from Parts Source

December 4, 2010

1. Napa Adaptive One brake pads installed in front. Tried to do rears but the pads I got were wrong.
2. Car braking much better now, brake fade is gone.
3. Installed folding license plate mount from GoMiata.

December 2, 2010

1. 93,011 miles
2. Removed visors and put in screws and fillers from GoMiata. Real nice.
3. Replaced spark plug wires and boots. Lag in second gear is now gone.
4. I ended up with two extra spark plug wires and a set of spark plugs to be used later.
5. Put anti-seize on plugs, dielectric grease on connections, and DeOxit on electrical connections.

December 1, 2010

1. 92,988 miles
2. New tires: Dunlop DZ101 205/45R-16
3. $461 with lifetime warranty on tires
4. Get rotation at 97,000 miles

November 29, 2010

1. Replaced both low beams with Sylvania Xtavision 9006 bulbs, $25.

November 27, 2010

1. Replaced spark plugs with NGK V-Powers. Was a little tough getting them out; I think they were the originals. Engine is accelerating more smoothly now.

November 24, 2010

1. 92,814 miles
2. Tightened throttle cable. Took a lot of slack out of it.
3. Removed all tint except for rear window — it’s cracking. Used steam gun to pull it off, and fingernail polish remover to get glue off.
4. Replaced trunk license plate lights: Eiko 104 bulbs. The enclosures did not crack, but were loose after installation. Used silicon glue to stick them on.
5. Replaced passenger side fog light with Hella H1 bulb. Jacked up front end, turned wheels to right, and it wasn’t so hard to get to.
6. Removed seats and vacuumed entire car. There was a lot of dog hair and cherry stems in it.
7. Cleaned and detailed interior.

November 23, 2010

1. Picked up car from seller.

November 19, 2010

1. Inspected by Auto Works. Found the following:
   1. Brake fade. Needs brake job, pads in front bad. Replace fluids.
   2. Heated oxygen sensor low bank 1 sensor 2 bad. $345
   3. New cam and crank seals, timing belt and water pump. $775
   4. All tires should be replaced.
   5. Needs two serpentine belts replaced: $155 (PS/AC belt, alternator belt, about $40 total) useful thread here.
   6. Total: $1275
   7. Torn tie rod boot

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STILL TO DO:

 

1. fog lamp cover kit
2. LED interior light replacement; directions here
3. replace power steering fluid
4. flush/clean engine:
   1. maybe clean injectors with Neutra Purging Fluid
   2. clean injectors and/or SeaFoam the motor
   3. clean EGR, MAF, throttle body

GENERAL STUFF

• free or very inexpensive mods? – MX-5 Miata Forum
• My “just bought an NB” to-do list – MX-5 Miata Forum
• Miata Technical Service Bulletin
• 1999 Miata MX-5
• Voodoo shift knob: Voodoo Shift Knob | MiataZone.com
• Knobmeister knob: Knobmeister.com – Gearshift Knobs
• Oil filter search
• good oil filter replacement tips here
• Optima Red Top battery
• remove tint: How to remove the purple D.I.Y. window tint – MX-5 Miata Forum
• Clutch switch override: Flyin’ Miata : Engine/Drivetrain : Transmission : Clutch switch override, 1990-2005
• Reverse glow gauges: Mazda 99-05 00 01 02 03 04 Miata Reverse El Glow Gauges – eBay (item 370448959245 end time Nov-22-10 09:16:48 PST)
• Sylvania Silverstars H1 for headlights
• good book: Flyin’ Miata : Miscellaneous : Books by Keith Tanner : Miata Performance Projects
• Oris windblocker: Oris Windstop
• License plate bracket: Disappearing plate bracket – NB cars

MAINTENANCE

• My Maintenance Plan – MX-5 Miata Forum
• Replace shift boots: Shifter boot replacement instructions and HIDDEN SCREW UNDER WINDOW BUTTONS: Center Console on 2003 – The Hidden 5th Screw! – MX-5 Miata Forum
• Change fuel filter: NB Miata Fuel Filter Replacement
• Coil pack replacement: Coil pack replacement
• Finish Line / Rosenthal Mazda Parts & Accessories :: Miata / MX-5 :: Engine :: Electrical :: Ignition Coil Boot
• Finish Line / Rosenthal Mazda Parts & Accessories :: Miata / MX-5 :: Maintenance :: 1999-2005 :: Spark Plug Wires 2001-2005
• Amazon.com: Bosch 09812 Premium Spark Plug Wire Set: Automotive
• Lubricate door windows: LUBRICATING MIATA DOOR WINDOWS
• Plugs and wires: OEM-spec NGK blue wires, NGK BKR5ES-11 or BKR5EGP’s: Correct spark plug? – MX-5 Miata Forum
• tighten throttle cable: there are two nuts holding the throttle cable on the bracket. loosen both of them and adjust it. don’t over tighten it
• improve hood gasket: MX-5 Miata Forum – View Single Post – Projects Under $100
• MX-5 Miata Forum – View Single Post – Projects Under $100
• shift boots: Finish Line / Rosenthal Mazda Parts & Accessories :: Miata / MX-5 :: Drive Train :: Shift Boot Large Upper
• Fancy timing belt: BELT, TIMING, Performance, Gates, BLUE. Gates Performance Timing Belts (90-05) for 2003 Mazda Miata MX5

FLUIDS

• Turret oil:(3 fluid ounces of differential oil)
• Transmission: 2 qts Redline MT-90
• Differential: Redline 75W-90 GL-5 or Mobile 1 75W-90
• Synthetic power steering fluid: 2 qts Mobile 1 Synthetic ATF or Redline
• Change transmission fluids: GL-4 for tranny, Gl-5 for rear/diff. Motorcraft for tranny. Redline 75W-90 for diff. Hakuna’s Miata Oils Pictorial (mirror)
• Motor oil and filter: 4 quarts, 10W-30, synthetic; 17mm
• 23mm and 24mm sockets

TIRES

• Dunlop Direzza DZ101
• General Exclaim UHP
• Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tires – Reviews, ratings and specs in the San Antonio – West Area – Discount Tire/America’s Tire
• stock tires are 205/45R16
• Wheels and tires: 6ULs with RS2s, TEINs, RB 1.25″ front sway, HD doorbars
• VWVortex.com – Best looking wheels on a miata?