Lip leaks oil!

I haven't heard anything about needing to remove the engine for the header, though you will probably have to take off your supercharger. I like the thermal exhaust with a resonator and will probably buy one soon.

Here's a low mileage (45,000) white 1996 model that is located in Florida, though it does have leather.

oops! I just saw that it is an automatic. Scratch that one.

Pat '96M

Nope, actually it's not, Pat--the description seems to be wrong, as the pictures clearly show that it's a stick.

Anyway, looks pretty decent (perfect rear window!) but something seems funny about those leather seats and they seem to have a lot more wear than 45k miles worth. Is the color of the leather right? My '95 M's leather matches the dash and this car looks kind of funny because it doesn't.

Also, I think Leon would know what to do with those wheels and the crappy tires.

flyin' miata!

dookie

Interesting tip Pat and Guys. I'll watch that car and see what it sells for. It's 3000 miles from me, but the weather is nice on I-10 this time of year.

Let me know how it turns out.

But I really want a pre-OBD-II Miata this time, so that I can put in a Link ECU without feeling guilty. ;) Also, a mint condition white, if I can find one, would be preferred.

The bad news is going to be putting back all the goodies. ;)

Leon

Leon,

Oil from the lower lip could be starting at the valve cover and migrating downward till it comes out there. Or, it may be the front oil seal.

One is easy; one is not so easy.

Best,

Ken

Thanks Ken, but it seems that my relocated oil filter may have been leaking, the oil going all the way over the fender to the nose.

I need to check whether it is over now that I tightened the filter with a wrench.

Leon

Testing the rev limiter in reverse again, eh Leon?

Just threshold braking before the curveys. And I have no doubt that my rapid turns through the twisties caused the thing to rotate loose in the first place. Those filters have quite a lot of rotational inertia, especially when filled with oil.

I should not have mounted the filter with the axis vertical. (Clutch brow.) Especially with all those Florida twisties full of sharp turns!

Leon

Say Leon,

Is that kind of driving done up in the Northern Mountains of Florida ? I hear those are some real killer roads to drive on ! That must be a lot of fun, nothing like the little hills we have up here in Washington state!! :-)

I might just drop in and see you. My (Fighter pilot) son is getting the DFC for the things he did in Iraq last year and we are goong to Valdosta for that.

See ya,

Bruce RED '91

Do. It is not far, and we have better restaurants than Valdosta. And congrats on the DFC. :)

Leon

It is still leaking, and I am starting to wonder whether it is coming from the oil filter area. It seems more like one of the rubber hoses is leaking. In any case, it really drains over the passenger side fender top to the nose (my car port concrete is slanted down.)

Will have a close look with a mirror over the weekend when there is light. Wonder how big a hole it takes. Does rubber crack under heat?

Leon

Thanks Leon, I hope I can get there while "BOZO 1" is still there. :-)

Bruce RED '91

Well the rubber had definitely damage. It did not go quite through there, but maybe some oil got through. If I was just a run-of-the- mill amateur mechanic, I would probably not have known what to do about it. But being a professional amateur mechanic, I realized that damaged rubber hose may be fixed with black silicone adhesive sealant. I may even reinforce the repair further tomorrow using duct tape and/or a hose clamp. Pretty good work, not?

It may also, or instead, have been leaking at the fittings at the end of the hose. Did I mention how black silicone adhesive sealant may be applied liberally to probably seal those fittings too?

You may want to save this post for later reference. Oil leaks might happen to anyone, and you have to be prepared.

Leon