MX5 Miata Tech Forum

Hello, I would like to put out my situation to this Miata community and ask for your advice and experience. I have a 2000 Miata SE, 6MT, Torsen LSD, color mahogany mica, tan leather, chrome factory wheels. I bought the car about six years ago with 40,000 miles on It was well taken care of. It now has 64k miles. My son was driving it a month ago and heard a pop(which in retrospect was the plastic part of the radiator breaking in a big way) The temperature gauge peaked… he noticed that pulled over then noticed the gauge came down, so he thought it was okay and drive 3 miles home. We then opened the hood and saw two chunks of the greenish plastic gone( too bad I hadn’t read this forum to know that is a big warning sign to replace your radiator).
I’ve then a ordered a new Mishimoto all aluminum radiator. I also borrowed a friend compression tester and got 100 psi on the front two cylinders. I read here to not do anymore cylinders once you see you’re in that shape. I had it flatbedded to the local Mazda dealer. They called me today and I went over and talked to them. They’re showing me one option of $8500 and another one for $13,500. I was shocked to say the least. I had read on this forum, a detailed entry explaining that a Miata has an iron block, aluminum head and steel head bolts all with differing coefficients of expansion. I was hoping I might just need the head machined, a new head gasket, and new head gasket bolts and maybe I would have it driveable again.

So I went over and talked to the service manager and the 35 year Miata expert mechanic. They told me that Mazda no more longer makes new heads for this engine. Also, if I wanted to take a chance with a used engine , it would have to be a California engine., because even though this car started of in Virginia, it was a CA specification engine. The mechanic told me if I tried to put a non-CA engine into it the car that the CA spec computer would shut everything down and it would not run.

Question #1 to all of you experts.- is all of this California spec engine and computer being unique and not being able to swap non-California spec engines into my car accurate and true information?

Question #2- can I find a non-CA engine and a non-CA computer and put those both in my car and have it run correctly( I am in Texas)

I then got thinking about the whole situation and what I have been told by the mechanic and service rep. I drove out to the back of the dealer and noticed my car was in a holding lot but in a different place than when AAA had dropped it off. I then went back home and got my extra key
and opened up the hood in it. Nothing has been touched on the engine. The conclusions I have been told was based on what the mechanic thought …..not from taking the engine apart. He did not tell me he had done a compression test either. He may have…I didn’t ask

So back to when I was talking to the mechanic and service manager, I told them I had the Mishimoto radiator and with me and was going to drop it off to them before I learned about the $8500/$13500 repair options. I asked them would they consider taking it apart, machining the head if it was warped, and I would take all responsibility for their work. I wouldn’t hold them accountable if there were problems. They didn’t answer that question but the mechanic did ask me to leave the radiator with him. He said he would put it in do some other evaluation.

I have had a good feeling about this dealership as I have been buying parts from them for over five years and the Parts Manager has formed a ‘Mazda enthusiast club’ where he discounts parts very well. I am now having some questions about the dealer.

I paid $7000 for this car almost 6 years ago and it’s provided a lot of fun. There’s no way I’m going to put into it the money I’ve described into it above. I could sell it for a couple thousand and go on bring a trailer and find a nice one with reasonable miles for $10-14K…as I kind of watch them.

What are all of your thoughts on my situation here I would appreciate your input and knowledge. I am open. Any recommendations that you all feel I should do now. Thank you!

PS I put this message out and another be out of forum as well… Because I am trying to learn as quickly as I can

Question #3: Is Treasure Coast Mazda, the only place that you can buy a rebuilt head? Are they a good company? Also could you point me to any other sources for New or rebuilt heads because I’m not seeing a lot as I do searches. Thx

Sorry I can’t help with the engine issues, but I’ve done business with Treasure Coast in the past. They are a reputable “used Miata parts” company. I’m not certain, but I think what they are going tot sell you is a used head. They may machine heads but I don’t think so.

Thanks for your reply. I am planning to have a friend help me on this. He has a lot of engine rebuild experience. I will keep all of you posted on this. Probably will be several weeks out