I have a year 2000 1.8 MX5 which I have owned from 2005 and had serviced every year since then according to the Mazda schedule by main dealer EMG in Cambridge. Where can I find a copy of this schedule? It is a low mileage UK car. I have been told by EMG that the timing chains should be changed this service. When I asked if this was listed as a part of this service in the schedule I was told that it is not. Any advice, clarification, useful info would help and be very appreciated! I would have expected something like that to be listed as part of the maintenance program. I know that the work is expensive and that a failure of this part would be even more expensive. (I did not realise / think that a year 2000 MX5 Mk 2 has timing chains?) I do know that chains need regular changing as they stretch in older cars - Triumph Stags for example.
Wow… and from a main dealer too
Take a look in downloads section of the forum - Service Schedule
NB Facelift 9000mile/12month
NB VIN code, serial number 200001 to 300001 (VIN serial number is the last six digits of your chassis number. VIN code is either the 4th & 5th letters of your chassis number for UK cars or 1st & 2nd letters for Japanese Imports.)
Also worth a PM to Robert Marsh, the clubs technical guru.
Timing chains came in with the NC in 2005. Earlier cars definitely have timing belts, which do require regular replacement. I can’t believe a main dealer described them as timing chains. Timing chains have come a long way since the days of the Triumph Stag (Often known as the Triumph Snag and timing chains were just one of its weak spots). I’m not aware of any modern cars which have timing chain replacement as a service item, but I’m sure there may be examples that may benefit. I’m sure someone will advise me.
JS
It’s just someone on the reception desk who doesn’t know their belts from their chains.
PM Robbie as 1954 suggests, not only is he the “clubs technical guru” he is quite likely to be the guy who has serviced your car as he works at EMG Cambridge.
I see you are in the owners club so I hope you tell EMG that when the car is serviced as they give big discounts to members.
Robbie has been servicing my car for most of its life, nobody knows more about MX5’s than him.
Cam belts should be changed every 54,000 miles and no time limit is set.
Gra
For info Robbie no longer works at EMG.
What!!!
And I was just about to book my car in for servicing. Where’s he gone.
Thanks, Martin.
Gra
well the bad news is he’s not working in a garage anymore, but the good news is he is now working a trainer for Mazda making all the other techs as good as him…