Just thought I would post to see if anyone can offer some advice on my car.
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.
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?
Maybe £1000 to £1500?
Hope I can get it fixed but looking increasingly like I will have to scrap the car.
Due to the number of engines that have failed, the cost of an engine if available from a crashed car is say £1,500 to £2,000. Add on transport of car and fitting you are above the value of the car.
Then you need it up in the air to check the corrossion on the vehicle.
Basically the car is worth at best £500 but lets put it this way, would you pay that to take all the risk in rebuilding a car.
Sorry to hear about this Jeff & Dan. Yes there can be an issue of bottom end failure with these engines if the oil’s ever been allowed to run even marginally low, I think the failure can occur quite some time afterwards?
If I was in your situation then a lot would depend on the overall condition of the car - especially the bodywork & particularly underneath. If the car’s in good overall condition then I’d probably have a replacement engine fitted.
As suggested by Drumtochty, Paul Roddison’s a real specialist & I know that he’s aware of this engine issue & has replaced a few for folk on this forum. I know that Sheffield’s quite a way from Reading however Paul also runs a recovery business so might be able to transport the car for you. Sheffield’s not a bad place for an overnight stay & Paul’s located about 3 miles from the city centre so plenty of hotel opportunities not too far away.
Might be worth you giving Paul a ring if only for some sound advice?
Thanks for all your information, and yes a few months ago I did check the oil and it was on minimum, topped up and all seemed ok, but I realise from what I have read that this may have caused the failure.
I will give Paul at Roddison’s a ring and chat it through with him, and also check out some recon engines, but it does look as though this is the end for the car, pity as we have had a great 2 years of ownership, but probably would not get another as I would be too worried about the same issue etc.
Thanks, I will check out the belt just in case, and also post on my local region area as you say.
Just for reference, the exhaust, underside of the car are all in good condition, so if I can I would like to save the car. At the moment it is looking like a scrapper, but worth checking out the references all of you have given.
For those in the UK who have the dreaded engine failure I came across this chap ..........Mazda mx5 Mk3 engine rebuild services. £1,000 City Centre, Sheffield
So who has a mk3 with the dreaded engine knock? Don’t worry we can sort that for you. £1000 plus parts. Get in touch on 07887948726 or 01142314350 Steel city mx5.
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.
