Ko0oyyNA

Let me start by saying I've been lurking around the forums for a bit and I like the vibes here. A lot of useful information and what seems to be some cool people.

My name is Koy and like the title says I'm from Virginia. (Chesapeake to be more precise) I'm 22 years old and build scaffold for a living.

I'm looking to turbo my NA for weekend use. I'm aiming towards around 250hp.

Seeing as I'm new to miatas and turbos, I'm hoping to get some helpful advice from the community

Here's a quick peak at what she looks like

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Welcome to the site Ko0oyyNA, thanks for joining up!

Ko0oyyNA

I got a quick update on how things are going with the car. I've replaced the alternator and battery. I've also had to replace 2 v-belts.

A friend of mine says some of the 1.6 engines made have like a faulty crank pulley. That after a while they begin to wobble and that's most likely the reason my belt keeps snapping. Anyone else hear if this? If so, is it just as simple as tightening a bolt or replacing the pulley?

Also having troubles with the car cutting off. It's only when the car is in neutral. I've read through and through the forums, over and over. I don't think it's jumped timing. I pretty sure its not a fuel problem. I replaced the fuel filter a few days ago and no change. I'm almost sertain its a vacuum leak, I just can't seem to find where its coming from. I was thinking of buying a hose kit and just replacing all the vacuum hoses. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd really appreciate some help.

Ko0oyyNA

Alright so I pulled the intake and looked over the pulleys. None of them wiggle by hand. I put the intake back on and let the car run for about 20 seconds. I can't physically see any movement in any of the pulleys.

So I made the iniative to just put the new belt on and see what happens. After a trip to auto zone for the correct size belt (I bought one yesterday but the guy got the codes mixed up and gave me one that was too short) I put everything together and started her again

She started fine and idled fine. While looking at the belts I pulled the throttle cable a few times and started to see smoke. It smells like burnt rubber. I could see dark colored fragments spitting up into the air (assuming it's rubber) after I shut off the engine I felt the front belt and it was fine. Then the back belt and it was scorching hot.

I don't see anywhere that it could be rubbing. The belt is sitting perfectly fine on all three pulleys. Could this be a bad belt? Or is it normal for a brand new belt, and will go away once "broken in"?

Ko0oyyNA

Alright, so don't hate on me but I found the problem. The bolt that holds the alternator to the adjustment bracket strip the threads in the alternator. I used a 1/4" x 2 1/2" bolt to replace the shorter original one and a lock washer with a bolt to hold it secure. Also I tightened the throttle cable to just barely normal idle. Just resting my foot on the accelerator pulls alittle on the throttle.

Took her for a test drive and everything seems just fine. I like how responsive the throttle is now and she hasn't cut off yet. Although the Rpms do drop down to the second mark below 1 (about 450 I'm assuming) but when I release the brake it goes back up. Possible vacuum leak in the breaks? I'll continue to tinker on my own, hopefully a kind hearted person with shoot me some advice

Ko0oyyNA

Alrighty every one. I haven't had any issues with the pulley, so I believe one problem is solved. I drove around yesterday and she was still cutting off at stop lights. I spent a couple of hours on the forum as well as miata.net. and so far this is what I got.

Needs new plugs and wires
Timing?
Vacuum leak?

I connected the TEN and GRND and adjusted the idle air control valve 1/4 turn ccw. I took her for a drive and it seemed to help. Now I'm noticing a whistling noise, almost as if a turbo is spooling.

There seems to be nothing but problem after problem with this thing.. I really need some advice

Rickracer

Sounds like probably a vacuum leak, put a separate piece of vacuum hose to your ear and move it around near the hoses on the motor, when you get near a vacuum leak, you'll know....

Ko0oyyNA

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I just replaced spark plugs and wires. She's running fine now, doesn't drop rpm coming to a stop and isn't cutting off anymore. I do still here the whistle though. I think I'm just going to replace all the vacuum hoses and hopefully it'll resolve the issue. I'll keep the forum updated though