Rod Grainger's Book

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Don Benton - 26 Aug 2005 16:32 GMT

Would someone please explain the following statement in Rod Grainger's
"Miata 1.6 Liter Enthusiasts Shop Manual" located on page 2:3 and
concerning timing belt replacement, under "Notes (see text
references)":

"Caution! Do not skip this operation. Camshaft drivebelt failure can
result in engine damage...."

I've had quite a few problems with this manual (i.e., lack of
alphabetical index, inability to find some basic maintenance items).
I'd ask this question of the group previously, twice, in fact, and the
group remained silent on the issue. To date, I STILL have not been
able to find any reference to shifter boot replacement. I've even
admitted it could be staring me in the face and the problem is mine.
When I asked the group to point out where this is, again, silence from
the group. The above statement, however, seems to contradict
everything I've heard about the Miata engine being a
"non-interference" engine.

Regardless of any other complaints I might have, this seems like bad
information from what I've heard thus far. Incidentally, the book I
use (the one with all the greasy fingerprints on the pages) is Keith
Tanner's Project Book. True, not as comprehensive as Grainger's
manual, but FAR more useful in my situation.

Any comments from the group, or just more silence?

DonB
'91 white

Reply to this Message

Lanny Chambers - 26 Aug 2005 18:43 GMT

> The above statement, however, seems to contradict
> everything I've heard about the Miata engine being a
> "non-interference" engine.

Yes, it's incorrect. Every Miata before 2006 came with a
non-interference engine. The miata.net Garage is a good resource for
operations not covered in Keith's book, or for alternative methods.

---
Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Reply to this Message

Leon van Dommelen - 27 Aug 2005 01:54 GMT

>Would someone please explain the following statement in Rod Grainger's
>"Miata 1.6 Liter Enthusiasts Shop Manual" located on page 2:3 and
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>I've had quite a few problems with this manual (i.e., lack of
>alphabetical index,

It is a *real* problem. I have the official Mazda Workshop Manual,
the 1.6l and 1.8l Enthusiasts Manual, and the Haynes, and none
has an index. To be precise, the Haynes does has something
called an "Index", but it is completely useless (chances to
find something in it that is not in the table of contents are
0.01%.) I understand those books are put together by people
who like to tinker with cars, not write books, but you would wish
that their publishers drew a line somewhere. (Or at least
sell the book in pdf form, and as real text, not scans!)

> inability to find some basic maintenance items).

They all leave out stuff. Unfortunately, it is often the *same*
stuff they leave out. :(

Having the official Mazda Manual has the advantage that Mazda has
no option but at least show the assembly/disassembly procedure
of *every* item. (Actually, that is not quite right too, they
don't either.)

>I'd ask this question of the group previously, twice, in fact, and the
>group remained silent on the issue.

I have been reading the group regularly for many years and I don't
remember them. But then, often I figure somebody else will answer.
If they don't, I won't see the message a second time to remind me.

> To date, I STILL have not been
>able to find any reference to shifter boot replacement. I've even
>admitted it could be staring me in the face and the problem is mine.

I believe it is on miata.net. Otherwise, the procedure has been posted
here in minute detail many times (advanced group search on deja.com,
go back to about 1997; they have not been posted for a long time,
probably because they are on miata.net.)

>When I asked the group to point out where this is, again, silence from
>the group. The above statement, however, seems to contradict
>everything I've heard about the Miata engine being a
>"non-interference" engine.

There was some confusion about that in the early days. Even the then
official Mazda publication Miata Magazine got on record saying that the
engine was an interference design. Had to correct it the next issue.

I have been told however that engine damage can *still* occur due to
something called "valve float." Whether that is bull or not, I cannot
say. However, I can say that damage can still occur due to the SUV
behind you or the 18 wheeler you are trying to cross the road in front of.

>Regardless of any other complaints I might have, this seems like bad
>information from what I've heard thus far. Incidentally, the book I
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Any comments from the group, or just more silence?

Endless discussions, not silence is our middle name. Assuming the
subject is new and not hashed out many times before.

>DonB
>'91 white

The very best color. :)

Leon

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

Reply to this Message

XS11E - 27 Aug 2005 02:07 GMT

Don Benton <wdbharmony@hardynet.com> wrote in:

> To date, I STILL have not been able to find any reference to shifter
> boot replacement.

http://www.miata.net/garage/shiftboot.html

Reply to this Message

Chris D'Agnolo - 28 Aug 2005 23:19 GMT

I think sometimes it's bad / unfortunate timeing when you get no response
from this crazy group. Most of the time response is quite good but
occasionally things (posts) slip through the cracks. It's by far the most
focused group of the 7 or 8 I've had occasion to use.

There are also discussion forums on miata.net you know.

Chris
92BB&T

> Don Benton <wdbharmony@hardynet.com> wrote in:
>
>> To date, I STILL have not been able to find any reference to shifter
>> boot replacement.
>
> http://www.miata.net/garage/shiftboot.html

Reply to this Message

pws - 28 Aug 2005 23:31 GMT

> I think sometimes it's bad / unfortunate timeing when you get no response
> from this crazy group. Most of the time response is quite good but
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Chris
> 92BB&T

Agreed,
in over 5 years, I have only had one serious miata question that nobody
made any attempt to answer, which was how much weight does ABS add to a
miata. I have had to ask a question more than once a few times, but I
have always gotten an answer and there is usually at least one helpful
reply.

Of course, by now nearly every question has been asked and answered and
is in either the miata.net and/or r.a.m.m. archives, and 99.99% of
anything you need to know that is miata-related is on miata.net, but it
is still nice to ask and receive responses from current people,
otherwise what would we be doing here other than discussing new models
as they come out?

Pat

Reply to this Message

Don Benton - 29 Aug 2005 02:22 GMT

Wow....thanks, guys!!! Really, I'd been frustrated the first time I
tried to use Grainger's manual. Most of the frustration resulted in
having read posts that this manual was *the* ref to have, then finding
it very nearly useless for my purposes. It does seem quite
comprehensive, and I surely believe in having all the info I can get.
I just wanted to see if others were having the same kind of problems I
was in trying to use it.

Though not as comprehensive, as I stated in my post, Tanner's manual
is the one with the greasy fingerprints on the pages. He seems to
cover most of the basic info a new Miata owner would need, and it's
truly easy to use. The shifter boot replacement was right there in
the front of the book and my problem was immediately solved.

Just for grins and giggles, though, I thought I'd see if anyone else
could find such a basic procedure in Rod Grainger's manual. I
actually believe it's just not there.

DonB
'91 white

>> I think sometimes it's bad / unfortunate timeing when you get no response
>> from this crazy group. Most of the time response is quite good but
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
>Pat

Reply to this Message