Hi all,Ā
I am a new member and a relatively new owner of MX5 California. Iāve been very lucky so far, the car which is made in 2000 has served me since December without any problems, but it has recently developed a gearbox problem. I have searched the forum and have only found posts about recent models.
Does anyone have advice about replacing the gearbox for an old model.Ā
Ā
What is the problem and how do you know that the whole box needs replacing ?
Maybe it is possible to repair it.
If you are sure that the gearbox is faulty and needs replacing, the only issue is labour to replace.
MX5 gearboxes, MK1 & MK2 5 speed can be bought in very good condition for Ā£25-75. Unfortunately not that easy to fit and will cost a lot in labour as well as the potential for clutch replacement.
The MK1/MK2 5 speed gearbox is a very reliable unit that tends to last the lifetime of the car, so make sure that clutch or clutch slave cylinder not your issue - immeasurably easier to remedy.Ā Ā Ā Ā
Thanks rhino66 and PKB222, I took it to the local car mechanic and he said itās gearbox and that the reconditioned Ā gearbox will cost around Ā£700 plus labour Ā£400-500.
I am trying to find out if I can do it for less. I have already spent Ā£300 on the new water pump a few weeks after I bought it, but I have also asked to replace cam belt just in case. I am not savvy, I wish I knew more about the cars.
I just really like my MX5, and donāt want to let it go. The mechanic said I can drive for a long time with the gearbox making these noises, but Iād rather sort it out then eave it till it completely gets knackered. Ā
Just get a used box. These boxes are so robust, that used ones are worth little more than scrap weight, because of lack of demand.
eg. https://www.autolinkmx5.com/gearbox-5-speed-manual-mazda-mx-5-mk1-18-used-4877-p.asp
Seriously?
Your mechanic is having you over, Ā£50 is for a āgenuine oemā water pump which he wonāt have sourced, you can almost guarantee heās picked up the phone to Eurocarparts and paid a lot less, and then Ā£250!!! to fit it, thatās a good pay day.
As rhino has said a decent gearbox Ā£25-Ā£100 then obviously labour ???.
Can you elaborate a bit more on the symptoms your gearbox has, and let people know whereabouts in the country you live because some of us know good mechanics that wonāt fleece you.
Sorry to say but you are a shady back street garages money pit.
These are local mechanics, not some dodgy ones. they were recommended by friends. But I live in Twickenham, which probably means that everything is more expensive than up north or in the west. I realise that labour costs a lot, I donāt expect someone to work for free, but Ā£1100 to sort gearbox issue seemed steep to me.Ā
I am not denying - I am an easy prey for someone who knows that I know nothing about cars. This is why I am here. Thank God someone thought to start the club.Ā
SAZ9961, thanks for your advice, but I do not know if I can get 1.8. Plus, how do I know that this one will not be as bad as mine?
Safetymatch, my car makes noises, especially when I am changing gears, and in the overrun (I think thatās what the mechanic said). I wish I could describe the noise, as a woman, I can tell you it feels like my car has tonsillitis.Ā
why canāt I reply to individual posts?Ā
Because the seller is extremely trustworthy, and stands by what he sells. He can arrange fitting for you through a couple of MX5 specialists in Hampshire (he recently relocated his business from the Winchester area). Heāll know exactly what car, the gearbox is from, and how many miles on it.
My 1996 S-Special 2 has 160k miles on it, was tracked, gear box is silky smooth and silent.
You can use any 5-Speed Mk1 or Mk2 box on yours. You will also need to budget for a new clutch.
Ā£100 for the box, Ā£150 for a clutch kit, Ā£200 (tops) labour.
I would also add that when it comes to reconditioned parts, that industry is full of thieves.
If you donāt want to spend too much money, you can aldd some Moly-G to the gear oil and that would quieten the gearbox down. Years back, a member had a Mk1 with a noisy differential. Mazda diagnosed a noisy differential. The owner had a choice of a new Ā£900 diff, or spend Ā£50 on Moly-G (azdaās recommendation).
On the other hand, your problem might just be a chattering clutch release bearing.
I would get a second opinion. Might be a bit of a drive (Winchester), but Skuzzle has a good reputation and right side of London. If he agrees that the car needs a new box, he can also source it for you.
Click on āQuoteā to respond to an individual post.
Hi Kristy
London prices are more expensive than elsewhere in the country but you have been quoted an engine replacement price for the gearbox replacement. Please shop around but I would expect to pay around Ā£300 labour maximum. Given the cheap reliability of the used gearbox for these cars, I would probably pay a little extra and buy from Autolink for peace of mind.
Cam belt and waterpump should always be replaced at the same time. Quite a lot of work involved to do either job so pointless doing the one job without also doing the other. There used to be a theory that a waterpump should last 2 x cambelt lefetimes but from my personal experience 120000 miles is too much to expect from a waterpump that will add Ā£50 - 70, including fitting to the overall cambelt/waterpump change we have all had to deal with at one time or another.Ā Ā Ā
Ā
Thanks a lot SAZ9961!
I am confused about Winchester, you said he relocated.
Anyway, I donāt mind driving to Winchester - its just finding the time as I work during the week.
I was told about the oil by a friend who used to build Rolls Royce, Austin 7 etc, now sadly he has very bad Parkinsons. But he did not mention the make (Moly-G). I will think about it. But I would feel much better if a decent mechanic gave me a second opinion. So will follow your advice and will contact skuzzle.
Thanks!
Local and Dodgy are not mutually exclusive. Neither is Recommended. This garage has not even told you to add another Ā£150 to the bill, because you are also going to need a clutch kit when fitting a replacement gearbox.
I have signed up to some car part website last night and got multiple offers from Netherlands (not sure why) offering me a second hand gearbox for ā¬300-350. I was relieved to see it was half the price in Europe from what the local mechanic quoted, but I now can see that I have been foolish. I am grateful to the colleague who suggested I join the club, she has two MX5 (one is not enough for her
Thank you for your advice.
Autolinkuk (Andy Stott) used to be based near Winchester. He has moved his business (mailorder parts) to Scotland. Skuzzle knows him, and will probably deal with his direct. Autolinkuk will also do a discount for OC members; check the club section for the discount code.
āMoly-Gā is almost a generic brand, just an additive to add into the oil. Might work, might not.
You should also contact the West London MX5OC, to see if they will recommend a place closer at hand. I know they used to meet up in Richmond.
Kristy - press āQUOTEā (button top right of the post you want to reply to) which brings up that post and leaves you room to answer below it. However, you are addressing each person in your replies, so thatās also doing the right thing.
Is your car a 1.6 litre? - You seem unsure that you can use a 1.8 L gearbox? Not that I know the answer, but Ā£1100 is far too much to pay for a replacement. You can get a good second hand engine for that. Nearest fair and honest garage I know in you neck of the woods is down at Chatham, which may mean difficulties for you, only other garage Iām aware of is Dandy Cars, but I know nothing about them at all. Sorry about that.
I can see that. Both references came from local people who are in their 60s, so have used the mechanics over many years. But it does not stop the mechanics making profit I guess from someone naive. I have only found out about the clutch by reading some other pots in this forum, before I posted this. I guess I just have to go to see the guy you recommended.