hello all im new here and i was just browsing around and decided to ask what all i would need to check for on a 90 mx-6? and also how hard would it be to change a timing belt and water pump on a 94 mx-6? i know that's two different cars i mentioned, but i have the option of getting either so im wondering about the difficulty and price. also how much would the timing belt and water pump cost? thanks a lot for the info.


i also just read that someone said to just use the juice on the 4cyl motors until you can get the japanese motors, is this true and safe for the motor?

 

On the purchase side get a book on things review for a used car purchase. Most books will give a check list. Edmonds.com may also have a check list. Get a second opinion from someone you trust, but can look at the car in detail. You'll overlook too many items just because that's the car you want to buy. I always take a potential vehicle to an auto mechanic & drop $25 to $50 to go over it. Check the Engine fluids for gunk, brakes, ball joints, tie rod ends, tires, steering pull, check under the drivers side carpet if you can get it loose. Inspect the Rack & Pinion for fluid leaks around the seals. You may want to consider a 30 day subscription to CarFax so you can check any of the VIN’s your looking at. The last MX-6 I bought had TWO accidents that the owner "neglected" to mention. I used the info from CarFax to knock $600 off the asking price. Look for paint overspray on areas there shouldn't be (radiator, struts, engine covers, inner wheel wells, trim, door molding, etc.) or for unpainted parts that should be painted (hinges, etc). Make the offer contingent on an acceptable inspection, so that if you find something wrong you have an out or you can get a portion or all of the repair deducted from the price.

Regarding the timing belt and water pump replacement, plan on a weekend. Unless the sellers can show you they changed the timing belt and the mileage, plan to do it soon with either car.

The level of difficulty goes up if it's a V6. You WILL NEED a book to be sure you get the CAM TIMING marks aligned. 4 cams on top plus the crank timing. They all must be in mechanical sync or you get to take ALL back apart. The Haynes book is OK (at best) and you can get one at AutoZone, etc for about $20. If you're going to plan on doing all your service and keep the car, get a Manufacture's Service Manual from a Mazda Dealer. They run around $100 - $140. You can sell it on eBay if you unload the car. To change the timing belt you have to remove and replace a lot of covers, belts, and tensioners in sequence. The Service Manual covers the order, which helps. You also have to support the motor since you need to remove the motor mount on the passenger side to remove the timing belt. Plan a lot of time and patience, because it is very tedious and there is not much space to work. Be sure to align the timing gear marks per the Manual before you loosen the time belt. It will help make sure you get correct marks and keep in “time” with the crank. On the V6 the valve covers have to be removed to get the belt off the cam gears. Plan on a new set valve cover gaskets. Here are prices from AutoZone: Timing Belt $53, Valve cover Gasket set $80, Water Pump $57.

If you have a lot of lifter (HLA) ticking due to age, this is the time to change them. Plan 3 to 4 more hours when you change the HLA's when you change the timing belt. AutoZone has HLA's at $18 for a box of 4. You’ll need 6 boxes. Don’t let the other prices scare you. AutoZone will order the Melling Part of 1 at $17.99, but it is actually a box of 4, so tell them you just want to order 6 parts and you’ll get your 24 HLA’s. (the other parts stores sell the HLA’s for $20 each). Before you start be sure to wash the engine well to get any loose grit off the valve covers, etc, so it doesn’t drop into the heads.