Ok members, I need help on this one because I’m at a loss for words. I’m having the dreaded hesistation on my 1999 Miata. I’m running out of ideas and options. The car will fall on its *** in reverse,on initial take off and you have to use I revs (2500-2700 RPM) to get it initally in motion. Car runs good when in motion and very response at higher RPM’s (haven’t driven it hard this weekend since installing the cam). I’ve read different post and looked at what others did and followed suit! This is what all I have done and replaced in the past month:

· New Fuel Filter
· New Fuel Pump
· New Fuel Pressure Regulator
· New Fuel Pressure Dampner
· New Fuel Injectors
· New Crank Position Sensor
· New Cam Position Sensor
· New MAF sensor
· New Plugs and Wires
· New Slave Cylinder
· New Master Booster
· New Alternator
· New Battery
· New IAT sensor
· New TPS Sensor (Replaced this weekend)
· New EGR Port Valve
· New Mazdaspeed BP05A cam
· Retimed the car (All notches matched up perfectly)

Timing seemed very off when I broke it down this weekend so I started from the beginning and made sure everything was lined up. Timing belt seemed in ok condition so I didn’t replace it. I have a 300 cel high cat that I’m waiting to come in. Other than that, I don’t know what else it would be or what else I need to do. I also have a BP05A ECU as well but that won’t pass my emissions with that one I don’t believe and really wasn’t trying to pull the ECU on that account. Does anyone have a clue what it can be? Timing Belt stretched? I’m at a loss and pretty damn frustrated. Any suggestions help or comments appreciated. Thanks

 

Sounds like a timing issue to me. It is hard to diagnose something like this without being there though. Is the BP05A a common cam swap? Is the car stock otherwise?

 

Yeah it's a common swap. I did it when redoing the timing this weekend. The car had the same problem prior to the cam swap. Maybe I'm timing it wrong. I liked up all the keys, put everything back together, tripped the diagnostic to lock it in at the Rpm's to check the timing, used my Flaming River light. Now here is where I may have been looking at it wrong. On your timing belt cover , you have an indicator that says "10" and one that says "T". When hitting the light, mine is lined up with the "T". Is that correct or is it suppose to line up to the the "10"?

 

T means top dead center. Which is not what you should have. You should be at the 10 mark.

After jumping the diagnostics box, make sure you are idling at 850rpms. If not, adjust the idle screw so you are.

Then check to see where you are at. You should be at the 10.

Since you have a 99, this isn't something you can change. Which leads me to believe something is a bit off mechanically.

 

I have an adjustable timing wheel so I can adjust that. I'm check it again tonight.

 

Also would your cam sensor bump your timing on the 99's? I'm asking because I don't know, that was replaced as I purchased the car

 

Take a picture of your timing belt and marks lined up to satisfy my curiosity.

On the '96 crank damper there are two notches that line up with the T and 10 on the cover. With your aftermarket damper is should be lined up with the 10 when jumpered as FRT said.

Wasn't there a difference in the base timing of the BP05 cam from the '96 cam? I think there were a couple of degrees difference in where the locating pin was situated.

 

I will take a pic this evening. I took the valve cover and upper timing cover off late yesterday. Lined everything up and it all lines up. The 99 has the same two notches on the crank pulley. I'll take off the lover cover to verify that mark as well. The timing belt even with tensioner seem
To have alittle slack in it. I'll put the new one on. I'm also going to remove the exhaust cam gear. I have a strong feeling that whomever had the timing belt changed previously may have taken the gears off and put them back off in the wrong pin slot if that made any sense. I'll take it off for my curiosity as well. Thanks for the help guys

 

Some mentioned I should also reset my ECU, does that sound right?

 

5 degrees difference I believe. I remember some post from Emilio about it when he dynoed it to see the difference.

Uhm... sure you can if you want. Just disconnect the battery. Doubt that would really help anything but it is so easy it might just be worth doing for fun.