[Shop-talk] mazda miata issue

[Steven Trovato]

The problem is that the pulley can move slightly, which bashes back 
and forth on the key.  This gradually damages the slot in the 
crankshaft.  Check miata.net for more information.  Here's one article:

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

My 1990 Miata has around 150K on it, with no crank problems so 
far.  As for the timing belt being one tooth off, in my experience 
this makes a car run worse than you are describing.  As for the EGR 
valve, it is my understanding that early Miatas (with the 1.6 engine) 
do not have one.

The people on this list are, of course, all brilliant :-) but for 
Miata specific info I would look to miata.net and the miata mailing 
list, including the extensive archives:

http://list.realbig.com/pipermail/miata/

-Steve Trovato
strovato at optonline.net

At 05:19 PM 6/1/2009, scott.hall at comcast.net wrote:
>so this bolt does what? it trashes the crank? I thought we'd r&r the 
>plug wires, o2 sensor and erg valve first, then worry about more 
>expensive things.