So, after almost failing our states every-other-year smog test, I decided to bight the bullet and DIY the task. Got a replacement from Moss Motors and got the car up on the drivers side using jack stands AND keeping the floor jack up against the frame, just to be safe. Had earlier sprayed all the bolts with penetrating oil in hopes that this would aid in the loosening process. After removing three out of the four nuts, the last nut would not budge one bit! Talk about frustrating, this seems to happen whenever I attempt a project never done before. I put it all back together and lowered it off of the jacks.
Tomorrow I will make the "drive of shame" to my local muffler shop so they can do this work for me. Sometimes saving some dollars just does't work and a pro. must be used.
I share this tale because I just know that there are many of you enthusiasts who have had similar experiences. The best part of this is that at least I tried to work on my own car, with my own tools, in my own garage and using these old hands that still know what end of a wrench to hold! I am not going to let this minor setback keep me from attempting the next project. When I do get it right, it feels so very good!

 

OK kids, there is a happy ending to my previous posting about attempting to replace my 97 Miata's cat. conv. I did that "drive of shame" to my local muffler shop this A.M. The owner got a good chuckle from tale but assured me he could help me out. After about 40 minutes the deed was done. They replaced two of the four bolts and that was that. I love happy endings, don't you?
Now......do I need to have anything checked or adjusted since the cat. is new? Maybe a dumb question but I will do whatever is required to have my ride run correctly.

 

The catalytic converter will not need any additional calibration or action from you. It is a passive system.

 

OK sixshooter, that was what I thought and now you have confirmed my thoughts. Should I ever do anything to the throttle body, maintenance wise, to insure a better of flow of intake? I have seen video's of people squirting some sort of "magical" stuff that is supposed to clean it up, that is why I mention it. Being from the school of if it ain't broke don't fix it, I wouldn't want to screw up things by "fixing it"!

 

Throttle body cleaner is commonly used to clean the IAC valve. It won't hurt.

 

OK, so what is the "IAV" ?

 

OK, so what is an IAC ?

 

Idle Air Control Valve. It opens and closes with a little electric motor to allow more or less air into the engine to control idle speed. It is located on the throttle body.

If you want a guide to working on your car, get to an auto parts store and pick up a Haynes manual or equivalent repair book for Miatas. It can be a good guide for about $15-20.