KNOCK KNOCK

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
11/21/2018 at 10:02 • Filed to: None

My Miata had developed a “noise” a few days ago. Finally got around to opening the hood and giving it a listen. It is running normal so I was perplexed about what it could be. After comparing this sound to others on YouTube and generally where it’s coming from, I am pretty confident it is a rod knock! On this car, that is a death noise. 210k miles, questionable rust history, and no space to do an engine swap at home. Looks like this Miata has given up the ghost and has gone terminal. I have to take it apart a bit to confirm where the issue lies but for my path forward, I’m gonna have to start shopping for another Miata unfortunately.

Or if Oppo can suggest something other than a Miata that I can use a track car for super cheap, then I’m all ears! Although I’m highly preferenced to keep 15 inch 4x100 wheels and reuse my roll bar. But I’m up for other stuff if it’s cheap enough. Thinking sub $3k and cheap to maintain.

Adventure Miata, you’ve done your job. Now you will soon be parted out I guess! Guess I have a long time with my registration though before I need to do anything about it. No idea how logistically to handle it seeing as I have no storage or work space. But I'll figure something out eventually.

DISCUSSION (14)

Aremmes > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 10:21

Not considering a long block swap? Planet Miata has them listed for $1k , you might be able to find one for less.

If you plan on parting it out anyway , though, I’d like the exhaust manifold and midpipe.

Chuckles > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 10:33

With winter arriving in PA, I'm back to thinking about selling my Miata. For the right price, I might deliver it to you.

Tekamul > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 10:34

If it’s running ‘normal’, it may not be full blown rod knock, but just a dying bearing. Real rod knocking is usually from spinning the bearing, and much more severe, and runs like crap.

But, if you have no space to do the work, I guess it’s a moot point. I would try to flip it as a whole unit, save yourself the storage headaches and CL a-holes.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 11:10

I think you should keep driving it with the rod knock and take bets how much longer it will last before it dies completely.

Makes it more interesting.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Tekamul
11/21/2018 at 11:19

The problem is that Miatas as a whole are worth next to nothing. And that is a clean-ish one that runs okay. Much less one that has a severe enough issue to require motor rebuild and has faced rust issues and has no paint currently. As a wholesale, it would maybe fetch $1k. Whereas the LSD, 6spd trans, and roll bar alone can fetch $1k as parts, not to mention really disassembling everything else and selling more stuff.

But yeah I agree, the rod has not gone full blown yet, but its definitely a very bad sign.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Aremmes
11/21/2018 at 11:25

While I could do an engine swap, the car itself is in general not worth it. I have always said that I would just drive this car until the motor died. Especially since it had shown no signs of dying anyways. The lack of paint, subframe rust issues, and overall mileage, makes it more financially sensible to just get another car. I dont know where I would even conduct a part out though since I dont have space to do anything with it.

As a side note, I do have an additional exhaust manifold and midpipe if you are interested anyways. Cobalt header and fed legal roadstersport midpipe, both with good O2 sensors and no codes. I have them listed locally for $150 OBO each and a few people have expressed interest but havent come by yet.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/21/2018 at 11:28

I mean that pretty much is the plan but I am only gonna use the car in case of emergency right now realistically. Start the shopping process and save up some money explicitly for this purpose. It is running pretty okay but its only going to get worse if I keep driving it. Would be fun to just go drive it until a rod goes through the side of the engine and the subsequent oil flow lights on fire and becomes a nice viking funeral lol.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Chuckles
11/21/2018 at 11:30

Haha well there are plenty of cheap miatas down here in Socal that are so surprisingly clean for the money. You should drive it here though for funsies. Miatas make great road trip vehicles! I am glad I got to enjoy a cross country trek in mine.

Chuckles > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 11:31

I would love to, although it becomes less of an ideal vehicle for a long trip when you have a passenger.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Aremmes
11/21/2018 at 11:34

That list is a pretty good source for how to price a partout of literally everything on the car. 6Spd trans is listed for $750?? Damn would a partout be lucrative then haha.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 11:37

And when that happens, it will make for another good Oppo post!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 12:32

I would verify it’s not an exhaust leak at the manifold before writing it off, the sound is very similar.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
11/21/2018 at 12:43

I’d be very surprised if that were the case. But yeah it’s on the list of things to disassemble and look at closely. I had replaced the header a few months ago and it was a used OEM part that I had put on there. But it didnt look like it had any concerning stress fractures. Certainly a good idea to pull it off and look at it though.

MM54 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
11/21/2018 at 18:53

I hit “play” on the video and almost immediately said “oh” (in a bad way). That does not sound good.

Since you don’t particularly plan to rebuild it, may be worth trying some lucas stabilizer or other oil additive to get a little more time out of it. As long as the bearing hasn’t spun you may be okay for a little while (like a very little while) with some good thick additive.