Thread: Timattalon's MX5 woes

Originally Posted by timattalon

It had a new cambelt, tensioers etc about 39000 km agn when it 200,000 and it was not like it then. I suspect I have done something wrong on reassembly for it to have occurred over such a short time. I looked at the loktite / JB weld options but I have access to a much lower km motor and a few other things that need addressing too so I figure I would do the whole engine swap and go from there. Afterwards, I may do the original motor up as a spare or sell it to recoup some of my costs. I can get the crank done at mates rates through my Bro in laws business and I intend running this old thing for a fair while yet....

Chances are you didn’t do crank bolt up to correct torque or torqued up to setting with dry threads, that’s common cause for this happening. See it reasonably regularly on engines where timing belt replaced by diy, no offence intended but just my observation over the years.