Today we purchased a low mileage(26000) 20011 2.0l mk3.5 roadster from a local’ish dealer. The car is in very good condition with hardly any signs of wear and tear inside or out. But on the drive home (35 miles along a motorway) I started to check the heating and AC were properly working. When I put the car on recycled air (but without AC on) after about a minute on two the windows started to mist up in the cabin.
My first thought was the cabin must have damp in it somewhere…and thus a potential leak. But when I got home I left the car running on the drive with recycled air on and no AC (exactly as before), but without me in it. This time the cabin windows remained clear, although admittedly the engine was only idling, but the fans were still on full like before.
The only other thing I can think of that may have affected things, is I did use the windscreen washer jet on the way home. Plus I was obviously going around 70 mph on the motorway. So maybe there’s something with airflow into the cabin affecting things. But in a way, it shouldn’t, since the steaming up only occurs when I have recycled air turned on, thus nothing from the outside.
Incidentally, when I got home I popped the hood and had a good look around the bulkhead of the engine compartment for any leaks from the washer, ie pipe come undone. I couldn’t see any. But it was a dusk, so I couldn’t properly see through the grilled area at the top of the bulkhead a foot or so I front of the windscreen but underneath the bonnet. Tomorrow I’ll hose down the outside of the car and see if there are any obvious leaks through the roof or window seals.
The other thing I noticed on the way home was when I pushed the car to about 80mph or above, there was a slight vibration on the steering, but only above 80. Obviously this could be tracking or wheel balance issues or even warped tyres/wheel. I’ll get it into a tyre shop on Monday for them to check out.
But if anyone has thoughts on either issues, I’d appreciate them.
You are recycling the air in the cabin so it will steam up. I never use that setting, just have it set on air coming in from outside the car, so don’t press the recycle button.
Yes maybe you have a wheel balance issue, could have lost a weight off a front wheel.
I think every car I’ve had would mist up on a cold day on recirc with no AC, even with just one up. Sounds normal.
The vibration could be any of a number of things. It’s not unusual for a tyre to go out of round and if it’s been standing one or more tyres could be temporarily out of shape. Do the tyres all match?
I agree with Mick AP, I only use recycling for short periods at lights when a skokey smelly exhaust is upfront. I typically ensure fresh air flows through all the time (whatever the vehicle).
If wobbly wheels is speed specific it will be balancing for whatever reason I recon.
Thanks folks. To be honest I was mostly worried about it steaming up, because it doesn’t steam up anything like that in my normal car/Primera with recycled on. So I assumed there must be some damp/ingress issue. But obviously the cabin is a lot bigger in my Primera, so that’s probably why.
The vibration I’ll have looked into on Monday. It wasn’t excessive, but none the less, it does need investigating.
Top things to look out for as a new owner and possibly not related to the steaming up.
Search on here windscreen or scuttle grommets, how to seal them. Even if they don’t leak get some sealant around them.
You have hood drains even on the PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) make sure they are clear.
If you are going down the checking wheels/tyres make sure they are all matching (tyres) and at least a decent known brand. Dealers have an habit of putting mismatched tyres on for cheapness. Also check those tyre pressures, especially if you’ve just bought the car or had work done, tyres fitted or service. Some over inflate the tyres, they should be at 29psi.
Oil, check you are at the max level on the engine dipstick and keep it there. Check when the engine is cold, left overnight gives a good read on the stick.
By 10 years old you are probably due a coolant change, get the gear oil and diff oil changed too if you haven’t got proof they’ve been done.
Oh and re tyres/wheels if you think you have an handling issue get the alignment checked, a proper MX-5 specialist is best for this operation.
Thanks Mick, that’s a very comprehensive list and I appreciate your time in posting it. I’ll definitely go through them one by one and get them seen to.
Yes, unfortunately the MK3 does seem to suffer quite badly underneath, although yours is relatively young so a good time for some preventative action.
Check out the MX5restorer videos for some MK3 horror stories underneath.
Thanks, I will. We live near to Farnborough on the Hampshire/Surrey border. Can anyone advise if there is a good place to get it undersealed reasonably close?
The tyres are all Frun-One and pretty much look brand new. I quick Net search shows Frun-One are a Chinese budget brand. So maybe that’s where my vibration at 80mph+ comes in.
Guessing that’s fresh undersealing, actually around those bolts it’s looking pretty clean. It’s a low mileage car so if garaged when not in use I’d expect it to be pretty rust free. Just keep an eye on it, anything just sprayed over to hide rust the rust will show itself again pretty quickly, especially in winter. Check around the lower part of the rear wing where it meets the sill. It’s partially cover by the lower portion of the arch liner. Around that lower retaining screw in the arch liner is where the rusting action starts, just under the rear end there too, the sill. (see pic)
Apart from that just make sure anywhere else under the car isn’t rusty, get it sorted, they aren’t known for being well protected in parts.
The tyres, no comment, never heard of them, I have my own preference on make I’d fit. Thankfully the car I’ve recently bought had them fitted.
Thanks Mick, that’s useful to know and I’ve taken some pictures of the rear arch area from above and underneath. This first picture possibly makes it it look like there’s a chunk of ‘something’ missing on the edge (but only on passenger side). But would I be right in thinking that’s sealant? Certainly the metal edge that can be seen behind the missing area is rock solid to prodding.
Pretty much every aspect of the car looks amazing for 10 years use. All the seats, carpets and boot liners have no marks or even signs of wear. All the dash is pretty much pristine. As you can see the engine compartment is pretty clean as well.
I’m hoping everything is as it seems, since we are hoping to keep this car for the next decade and perhaps beyond…if the government hasn’t banned them by then;-)
I’ve tried countless times now to upload more photos, but the moment it says it’s uploaded it just bounces me back to the main forum index and when I come back it says still processing. The problem then is it never stops processing. I must’ve tried about 20 times now, so I think I’ll have to give up unless anyone’s got any ideas how to get them uploaded?
