acceleration issue under 2000 rpm

Asked by sdb Aug 21, 2013 at 08:48 PM about the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Roadster

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 1990 mazda miata will not accelerate sumtimes under 2000 rpm, it is like it is under a
heavy load. When this happens you can push the clutch in and the throttle seems to
come back to normal, release the clutch and the problem may or may not return. You can
slip the clutch to get going and most of the time the problem goes away. I have
elliminated the cat and there was no change, so it's not a back pressure issue, some
suggested the mass air flow is having problems. Oh new ngk plugs, wires, pcv, air filter,
fuel filter, fluids were all changed and a new clutch kit was installed.

7 Answers

46,155

My 1990 miata had the same issues, I too thought mine was the mas air flow flapper. It ended up being I had the dreaded short nose crank failure. I got lucky I was able to get it repaired without tearing apart the motor. The 90 was really the only year this was a problem for the Miata since Mazda installed a long nose crank for 91 and up Miatas. Heres a link on what to looks for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzMkywE2NXE

4 people found this helpful.
46,155

Heres another link with more info: http://www.miata.net/garage/hsue/crank/loctite_1.htm

2 people found this helpful.

wow Mr. Kane, I had no idea...a simple design not considering the harmonics would actually make the bolt come loose and the keyway jostle around until breakage~~whew, am sure glad I didn't have one of those...what I did have was a BENT crank that I'd have never spotted until after installation...had to sell the truck...it was an Impala 400 engine~....in a 1966 Chevy C10 sold it to a plumber in Marin Co.~....for five hundred dollars~

Michael Kane, You have a rather impressive garage of cars that you've owned. I've had like more than 26...not counting the fifty dollar SALT beaters to get through winter~

46,155

Thanks Roy, I have been slowly adding all the cars Ived owned / driven / want. My wife and I have owned 13 Miatas over the years, I kinda have a soft spot for them. I noticed your classic benz you owned, i had a friend with the same car ( probly why I like Mercedes so much, lol ) I have fond memories.

I have a 1990 miata which does not raise the rpm you change the fuel pump clutch kit and the air filter was replaced by a high flow intake but remains the same

Your Answer:

MX-5 Miata

Looking for a Used MX-5 Miata in your area?

CarGurus has 154 nationwide MX-5 Miata listings starting at $8,496.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Michael Kane
    Reputation
    3,320
  • #2
    Cyril Muckenhirn
    Reputation
    580
  • #3
    Nitro_408
    Reputation
    530
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Mustang
46 Great Deals out of 1,664 listings starting at $5,977
Used Chevrolet Corvette
26 Great Deals out of 699 listings starting at $10,989
Used Honda Civic
188 Great Deals out of 4,003 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota Supra
52 listings starting at $55,995
Used Chevrolet Camaro
15 Great Deals out of 468 listings starting at $11,749
Used Mazda RX-7
1 listing

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.