Engine bottom end failure 2.0 litre NC

Area Discussion South Central
2
Hello,

I have posted this in the engine section of the forum, but was advised to post in my local region to see if any local companies might be able to help.

I have just had my local Mazda dealer diagnose that the bottom end has gone on my 2007 NC 2.0Litre Sport.

Engine started knocking when up to temperature, gradually got worse, initially thought it might be top end but no, it seems big end problem. Car still drives but not using it now until I either sort it out or sell as spares or repair.

I have heard that the 2007 NC1 engine can have this bottom end problem, which I think they sorted out on the later 3.5 & 3.75. I did let the oil go to the minimum level a couple of months ago so this may have been the start of the problem.

Mazda dealer quoted £7800 to fix and I have had various other garages say maybe 3 to 3.5k to fix. As the car is only worth about £3500 seems I might have to advertise it as spares or repair as it is a good car, maybe ideal for a 2.5 litre engine upgrade. Car has done 95000 miles.

So my question is does anybody know of a specialist in south of England (I am based in Reading, Berkshire) that might be able to fix the engine for a reasonable price? Failing that what do you think I could sell it for?

Hope I can get it fixed but looking increasingly like I will have to scrap the car.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

3

Sorry to hear about your engine.

An option is to buy a second hand engine out of a breaker.

it will be a lot cheaper look on eBay

I hope this helps 

cheers

 

MF

4

Yes, I will keep a look out for a second hand engine, but looks like I will end up selling for spares or repair at the moment.

5

Paul Roddison gave the members of the Peaks and Pennines area a talk on the consequences of running the Mk3 low on oil in April 2017, since then he had had a constant stream of engines to re build, I understand his cost is neared to £2.5k than £7K !! He may be interested in buying the car as a non runner.
https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst99311_Hot-after-Roddison.aspx
http://pp.mx5oc.co.uk/Newsletters/2017_05.pdf

6

Paul also does the 2.5 litre conversion

7

Contacted Paul at Roddison’s, had a good chat with him and yes to be honest it looks like it will cost too much to repair the engine.
Will think it over in the next few days and decide what to do.
Thanks for all your replies.

8

Try C&C Sparkes in Bisley (Surrey). He’s up for most challenges and is very reasonably priced. This might be a challenge too far but he’s usually very helpful.