Miata Mailing List: March 1993, Message #30
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   From: (none)
Subject: two problems
   Date: (none)

I've been having two problems with my Miata as of late and I'd thought I'd see  
if anyone else had experienced similar problems before I just take it to the  
dealer and say "fix it".

Car: 1990 model (built May 1989), 63,000 miles

Problem #1:

When I come up to a stoplight and let off the gas and push the clutch in the  
RPMs drop to about 300-400 and then speed back up to about 850. Sometimes it  
studders and almost (but never quite) dies. It doesn't always do this, just  
sometimes. Also when it's cold idle RPM is about 1250 or so. Idle is 850 at all  
other times.


Problem #2:

I installed RedLine MTL transmission oil in my car about 30K ago to try and  
relieve the stiff shifting when cold problem. It worked great and the stiff  
shifting problem went away. Now at 63K miles it's starting to shift even  
stiffer than it was before I put in the RedLine. The 4-5 shift is the worst,  
there are times where if I'm not careful I'll blow the shift. 2-3 is the next  
worst. Strangely enough I've had no problem with the 1-2 shift, the one I use  
most often when I'm autoxing.

BTW: Yes, I know RedLine recommends 75W90, not MTL, but my local RedLine dealer  
(Horton Performance) insists that MTL works better.

Any help or advice on these two problems would be appriciated.

On a good note I did some acceleration tests vs Joe Goeke's '91 (with 16,000  
miles) and we were dead even, so the engine is still working great.

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   ___    __    ___   Alan Dahl                    |
  /_ /    /    /      Analysts International Co.   | adahl@mis.corp.mccaw.com
 /  /   _/_   /___    10655 N.E. 4th St. Suite 804 |
                      Bellevue, WA 98004           |  PH:  (206) 828-1336
                                                   | FAX:  (206) 828-1300