Project I have got the bug!... Moogs Motahs

[yes oui si]

+4mph cornering speed right there. 

[The Moog]

Wandered along to U Pull It today, to pop that cherry. 

Before I left I removed the rear door on Polo to check how easy it was - literally two bolts and it popped off. 

There were two black polos in, but on both the rear doors seemed to have the catches knackered on them as they wouldn't open.  So as not to waste I journey I decided to get something to fill the hole 

I came back to find another warmish ford parked next to me 

Back home and popped it on. 

It will do for now. I am likely to spend Tuesday swapping over the internals and fitting a new lock. 

At least the dash now doesn't have any undue lights on it! 

[The Moog]

Fettle the ST after autotesting. 

After removing the grass and mud from underneath, I set about sorting out the scraping heath shields. Surprisingly snacking them on a field had hastened the departure.

From eBay you can get repair washers kits for not much.  I highly recommend them 

I used a small socket to hammer the star washer on and now have a silent underneath. 

Next up is power steering pump and also refitting front lip. 

I may also have to source some extra wheels with race wheels as I don't think these Avon's are holding up to drifting. 

[Tenmil Socket]

When the heat shields went on my Focus I simply bent down and ripped them out but I understand that you’d probably want to keep yours. 
I've got a set of 16” Cosworth style alloys on my Focus that I’d sell if you’re interested and ever passing my way?
 

[The Moog]

1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

When the heat shields went on my Focus I simply bent down and ripped them out but I understand that you’d probably want to keep yours. 
I've got a set of 16” Cosworth style alloys on my Focus that I’d sell if you’re interested and ever passing my way?
 

I think technically it is an MOT fail with no heat shield.  Also we rag the bolloxs off it with no air flow. 

Very much would be interested - got any pics and price? 

 

[beko1987]

I've got a loose exhaust heatshield on my car which cause a mild knock (VERY far down the to give a shit about list though) but those repair things are just what I need to buy when/if the time comes, thanks!

[The Moog]

3 minutes ago, beko1987 said:

I've got a loose exhaust heatshield on my car which cause a mild knock (VERY far down the to give a shit about list though) but those repair things are just what I need to buy when/if the time comes, thanks!

Here's the badger - literally took 20 mins to fit. 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315664087299?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yr9jpp_-tqw&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=WTt5QNjFTlm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[abir246]

11 hours ago, beko1987 said:

I've got a loose exhaust heatshield on my car which cause a mild knock (VERY far down the to give a shit about list though) but those repair things are just what I need to buy when/if the time comes, thanks!

My old Astra J had loose exhaust shields from memory, used to shake like a right prick and do rumble sounds during idle, think we just bent it to the point it didn't move and that outlasted the car 👌

[The Moog]

As is the rule of AS.  Cars =n+1

So when this popped up locally I had to have a bid. A Scabby mx5 Na 1.6.  running engine but tin worm to max. 

The selling point is that it has a running engine, came with hardtop and also a pair of new front and rear wings. 

Won for £750, plus £30 for delivery it duly arrived Saturday. 

 

[The Moog]

Car ran, but had a misfire or vac leak. 

The plan was to either a) get this one back on the road or b) nick bits for my one for her it running (in non turbo form if needed). 

 

Initially it didn't look too bad.  A hoover and de spiderweb was first up 

Hardtop off to reveal the brown roof.  Was in very good condition except the rear window zip is bust. 

Nevermind the hard top is going on my other one.  Needed to swap the Frankenstein bolts over first. 

Took the green one out for a run on private roads, brakes sucked.  So tried an emergency stop - pedal sank to the floor as something burst. 

I don't really have time or inclination to fix it.  So will keep hardtop and wings, then once I have got mine running will scrap it. 

[UltraWomble]

On 26/04/2025 at 20:38, The Moog said:

 

 

There were two black polos in, but on both the rear doors seemed to have the catches knackered on them as they wouldn't open.  So as not to waste I journey I decided to get something to fill the hole 

TADTS

The easiest "repair" is once you have the deadlock unlocked to disconnect the loom to the door - the door will lock and unlock manually with no warning lights and the deadlock will not engage again, ever.

[gm]

14 hours ago, The Moog said:

£30 for delivery

was that him and his mates pushing it round the corner ? 

[The Moog]

St170 decided to sulk and start misfiring. 

When I first got it, I put on a cheap £15 coil pack from eBay to cue that misfire.  Creaking the wallet I plumped for a proper ford oe coil and set of NGK plus.  

The coil was swapped easily enough 

The new one is an updated design. 

I think the plugs were due to change 

Next couple of things on list are PAS pump and also timing belt. 

[The Moog]

Day one of project get a working mx5

I tried swapping over cas and ignition coils to the red mx5 - but still no start.  I spoke to a remote tuner and it would need a wide band O2 sensor. Checking with the guys who converted it, they don't fit one - using their own sensors for set up the system. 

Also the exhaust they have fitted doesn't have a sensor bung. 

Plan B is to remove the turboey bits, get it back to running a NA setup with the intent to returbo in future. 

Today was the day. 

First up was get off the turbo 

Little bit fiddly. 

This was concerning - you can see the plug to the waste gate actuator, the end literally fell off 

Not sure it causes a no start but doesn't help. Stripped and the good bits in a box to go in the shed

 

Next step is to get the front down pipe off and exhaust manifold. 

Then it is remove the engine wiring harness from the green one and fit it into red one. Going to be a bit of a fiddly job and will need to label everything. 

[The Moog]

Continuing the dismantling - taking all the good bits off the green one 

The rad is scrap but thats no issue. 

I need to swap back the TPS (just going to do the whole TB whilst at it). Removing the cam cover as when I get a chance I will clean and paint it. 

I had hoped to remove the exhaust manifold, but it is rusty boy - so a shiny 421 was ordered yesterday and arrived today. 

Tried to be good and label all the electrical connectors incase I need them. 

Parts that came off were bagged and tagged. 

I stripped off the inlet manifold as practice because I need to blank off the oil line feed on the turbo mx5. Easiest way to do that seems to whip off the manifold and get full access. 

Placed an order for gaskets for inlet manifold, air idle control etc. 

Next steps are to remove inlet manifold on red one. Blank off oil feed - then refit it all with gaskets. Then fit injectors from green one and ensure the left hand side is all buttoned up.  

After that is is to seal oil drain from turbo, swap out ECU, fit headers, swap over O2 sensor and extend the wire, fluids then try for a start. 

[The Moog]

More stuff is happening 

Took off the inlet manifold, removed the oil feed to turbo.  I was hoping to stick an oil temp gauge in, but decided to just go with stock for now. 

New gaskets for throttle body, inlet manifold and Idle control. Swapped in the injectors from green mx5 so they are back to standard. 

Refitted all of the inlet side loosely to check I have got all the hoses.  Had to cap off the feed to boost gauge, but I think it is air tight. 

Last few things to  do are

refit intake ( I think I may have to source some hoses for that)

remove O2 sensor from green car and fit to new headers

Modify the connector so it will work with red harness

Fit headers with new gaskets

Swap in ECU

Fit battery

Check oil 

Then try a start. 

 

 

 

[The Moog]

Mot for shite170 is due on Friday.  I have been tolerating a engine light which was the imrc fault since I got the car. 

I bit the bullet and bought a refurbed unit from eBay. 

I could have potentially got the old one off and tried to fix it. Instead I took path of least resistance. 

I am glad I did ... What a bugger of a job. 

Before I start 

Dismantling half the engine bay 

Finally wangled it out

One of the mounting screws shear so putting the bracket on the new one I utilised a universal plastic bolt 

Shoved it all back together

Now my only problem is what is this and where does it go? I definitely didn't unscrew anything so think it was loose before.  

In positive news, I should have done this month's ago! Absolutely changed the car. 

Once MOT is done, I need to fit new PAs pump and then potentially cambelt change. 

[The Moog]

The Shite170 is sitting in the naughty corner after failing it's MOT.  I am awaiting a couple of front arms and some new tyres. 

Back to mx5. Next up was off with the turbo exhaust and on with the new header 

It looks really punny!  I am awaiting a couple of silicone blanking plugs before trying to it's first na start in a while!

 

[The Moog]

Final bit for today was whipping out the ECU from the green meanie. This is to be transplanted into the Red one. 

The green one is rusty everywhere, so definitely not a saver.  In comparison @Fat_Pirate must have don't a great job looking after it,  as the red one looks only a bit surface rusty underneath. 

Fingers crossed we can get it back up and running this weekend.  I will need to sort out an exhaust from cat back, as the 3 inch one hangs far to low for any autotesting. 

[Fat_Pirate]

Great to see this is still alive!  Here it is on the day I got it (14/1/2007), before I started ruining it... 

[NorthernMonkey]

I suppose I’d better pull my finger out and chuck the keys to this at my tame tester…

[The Moog]

Time to fire up the 3d printer.  I have been waiting for silicon blanking g plugs, but for now I have printed some in TPU. 

Measured then modelled in Tinkercad.  TPU filament and took a total of 20 minutes to print both 

In theory I need to plug in ECU, add some oil and try a first start tomorrow.  I can't do it tonight due to no exhaust ... 

Wish me luck!

 

 

[Snipes]

On 05/05/2025 at 14:00, The Moog said:

Fettle the ST after autotesting. 

After removing the grass and mud from underneath, I set about sorting out the scraping heath shields. Surprisingly snacking them on a field had hastened the departure.

From eBay you can get repair washers kits for not much.  I highly recommend them 

I used a small socket to hammer the star washer on and now have a silent underneath. 

Next up is power steering pump and also refitting front lip. 

I may also have to source some extra wheels with race wheels as I don't think these Avon's are holding up to drifting. 

My heat shield rattles but only when I shut the boot or slam a door. It annoys me every time I go in the boot but then I immediately forget about it lol.

[The Moog]

Using the nice weather to address the failure on St170. 

First up is my new toy.  £130 from eBay delivered. 

Stuck suspension bolts are no hassle.  It has got a quick disconnect to swap coils. 

Old one out in about 30 mins

New and shiny

Need to do a boot clip then swap over the power steering pump ready for MOT on Sunday. 

[DavidB]

What is that thing, and induction coil? Does it heat up the bolts?

[robt100]

On 27/07/2025 at 13:54, DavidB said:

What is that thing, and induction coil? Does it heat up the bolts?

Yup, I beleive its an induction heater. Bit less risky and more accurate than blowtorching about under there.

[The Moog]

On 27/07/2025 at 13:54, DavidB said:

What is that thing, and induction coil? Does it heat up the bolts?

Yes an induction heater.  Means you can free off bolts with no naked flames. It heats only the bolts - @NorthernMonkey neighbour had one and it was amazing.  But they seem to have dropped in value 

[The Moog]

After work today I decided to have another stab at mx5 diagnostic. I suck at following step by step instructions - so I decided to try something new. I fired up chatgpt and got it to create a work plan for me. 

It's really useful (assume the UK information is correct).  Gave me loads of instructions and I could ask stupid questions to check understanding. 

State of play is that there is definitely something up with coil pack - when I took it off one of the coils was roasting and the other cold. Ordered a new set Nd also new HT leads to rule them out. 

 

 

 

[Wibble]

45 minutes ago, The Moog said:

Yes an induction heater.  Means you can free off bolts with no naked flames. It heats only the bolts - @NorthernMonkey neighbour had one and it was amazing.  But they seem to have dropped in value 

That’s an amazing price. Last time I looked they were nearly a grand.

[The Moog]

New car in .. a cheeky eBay purchase which required a trip to Galashiels. 

Faults are noisy exhaust and airbag light on. MOT till November but at £500 didn't think it was too bad. 

Someone has upgraded the interior 

The steering wheel cover got hooked straight into the Asda bin.

Squizz underneath 

Seamless exhaust repair

Suffered a slight bear attack