Car died

[sammm]

any idea what time they open? I dont want to call and rattle him out of bed. :)

Don't know, but here's the cell number off the TDR website - two14-28zero-6one72

[AlanP1964]

Don't know, but here's the cell number off the TDR website - two14-28zero-6one72

He's not in yet and not answering the cell. I have someone that does mobile repairs and wound up calling him. He's okay, not fantastic but has always been dependable really. I hate to be impatient about it, but they are freakish about towing cars up around this area. I just want the thing fixed or towed somewhere safe basically.

[AlanP1964]

Looks like, behind door number 3........... timing belt broke. Odd since it was changed shortly before I bought the car. The guy I bought it from is a buddy's neighbor and no reason for him to have been dishonest. Guess I'll chalk it up to my luck.

[sammm]

Replace with an OEM belt this time.

I'd bet $$$ the old one is not.

[AlanP1964]

Yep, going that direction. Definitely not $$ I wanted to spend right now, but oh well.

[AlanP1964]

They got it torn down, timing belt is broke for sure. Apparently water pump is the culprit. I'm guessing the nim-rod that did the change to the belt 5k ago didnt do the water pump at the same time.

[AlanP1964]

Don't know, but here's the cell number off the TDR website - two14-28zero-6one72

One more question to pester you with. Any suggestion on advancing the timing? I've seen talk of 12 up to 18 but at higher you need premium gas.

[sammm]

You should be able to bump it to 14 and still run regular.

[CraiginTX]

Sorry to hear about the T-belt. My '96 seems to ping a bit on regular when it's 100 deg. outside with the timing at +14. I leave it there anyway and run 89. Hope you're back in business soon

[AlanP1964]

Got it back yesterday afternoon late. So far so good, albeit it lighter in the wallet.

[Radio-Active]

Congradulations.

It's about a 6-8 hour job if you do it yourself. That and about $200-300 in parts with hoses, waterpump, and timing parts. Assuming the radiator does'nt break when you take off the hoses.

[AlanP1964]

Congradulations.

It's about a 6-8 hour job if you do it yourself. That and about $200-300 in parts with hoses, waterpump, and timing parts. Assuming the radiator does'nt break when you take off the hoses.

I dont mind DIY stuff at all. But, on a Dallas side street, in front of someone else's house, in semi-cold weather..I dont mind paying to have it done. It was worth it.

[Mr. Miatie]

Who did the work and what did you pay? Labor/parts...

[patf]

one thing on advancing the timing, i was running about 14 and had to retard it back to stock to get it to pass emissions.. ymmv

[AlanP1964]

Who did the work and what did you pay? Labor/parts...

A little over 5 bills. I dont have the invoice in front of me so I can t say what parts and labor was but that was the total. I know I could have done it cheaper myself, but I didnt have the time to do it, would have been my first rodeo with a TB change on a Miata and also the guy does mobile work so he came to car and did it there. I didnt have to pay to tow it somewhere. The guy I used was Chris Holland. He's pretty young but this is the second time I have had to use him and he is dependable and seems honest. I have no complaints with his work at all and would use him again.

[AlanP1964]

one thing on advancing the timing, i was running about 14 and had to retard it back to stock to get it to pass emissions.. ymmv

I had him advance it to just 12.