- My model of MX-5 is: __2002 Phoenix
- I’m based near: __Nottingham
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __What to do?
Owned the car for just over a year, low mileage but has an oil weep and couldn’t get through MOT until engine steam cleaned to find fault. Garage managed to put it through MOT as the leek was not now apparent. Garage asked me to drive it for a week or two which i have done and the oil leak is now apparent and they have said it is the Head Gasket and that they cannot help as it will need skimming. Somebody else (who has been working on MX5’s for years )says he thinks this is unlikely. Don’t know what to do as i want to use car for a big drive in summer. Have tried getting in touch with an MX5 specialist in Leics but not having any luck at all. Does anybody ever use main dealers??
Good advice in my opinion re skimming the head.
They will also check the whole head to make sure everything is good.
For instance valves/ guides/seats etc etc.
Depending on who takes it off and strips it down etc etc can cost say £60- £250.
The more valves the higher the cost, (normally).
Could be likely or unlikely, but you won’t know until it’s checked.
It has to come off anyway.
But you will then know for sure it’s good.
I would have it done at a recommended workshop.
Just an opinion. 
A main dealer would send it off anyway, so don’t bother and save your money.
Try taking the car to MX5 Restorations in Ilkeston.
I would get a ‘second opinion’ before investing any money.
Can you put a picture of where the oil leak is coming from on here so we can have a better chance of giving sound advice?
Thanks for help everyone. Difficult to take photo as can’t get under car and there is a tray under the engine i think. That’s what current garage took off so that i could get the steam clean. I can photo oil on the paper to show quantity.
Seems odd to have to see the bottom of the engine to diagnose a head gasket leak. Yes the oil will end up on the underside of the engine but the source of the leak should be visible from under the bonnet near the top of the engine I’d have thought. As Mad_Malc suggests, I’d also get a second opinion. Is it a 1.6? These engines can develop an oil leak from the rear corner of the head gasket where there is a rubber gasket as part of the head gasket but if it’s a 1.8, then I’d agree the an oil leak from the cylinder head gasket is rare.