1997 MAZDA MX-5 Factory Repair Manual

ENGINE
Removal (Miata)
1. Release residual pressure from fuel system. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING .
Disconnect negative battery cable from trunk-mounted battery. Reference mark and remove hood. Raise
vehicle and remove engine undercover. See Fig. 2
. Drain engine, transmission and cooling system fluids.
2. Remove transmission. For automatic transmission removal procedure, see REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION article in TRANSMISSION SERVICING. For manual transmission removal
procedure, see appropriate article in CLUTCHES. NOTE: On Miata with audio anti-theft system, radio will not operate if power to radio is
cut. Obtain code from customer to reactivate radio. To reactivate radio after
reconnecting power supply, turn ignition switch to ACC position. Press and
hold FF and REW buttons until CODE is displayed. Again press and hold FF and
REW buttons until bars (----) are displayed. Use preset button No. 1 to enter first
number. Use preset buttons No. 2 to enter second number, 3 for third number,
etc. Press FF and REW buttons for about 1.5 seconds until a beep is heard.
After 5 seconds, flashing CODE will disappear and radio will operate.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 2: Removing & Installing Drive Train Components (Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
3. Remove all cooling system hoses and A/T oil cooler hoses at radiator (if equipped). Remove radiator and
cooling fans as an assembly. Remove all drive belts. DO NOT disconnect power steering hoses or A/C
compressor hoses. Unbolt power steering pump and A/C compressor from engine, and wire aside.
4. Remove air cleaner assembly. See Fig. 3
. Remove throttle cable. Note locations and disconnect all
necessary electrical connectors, ground wires, vacuum hoses, fuel hoses, coolant hoses and control cables
for engine removal. Plug all fuel hoses to prevent leakage. Remove engine mount nuts and remove
en
gine.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 3: Removing Engine Components (Miata)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Installation
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. After installing engine mount nuts, mount PPF to transmission and
tighten long bolts by hand. Ensure bolt sleeve and PPF/differential mounting spacer are installed to
NOTE: Proper installation of Power Plant Frame (PPF) is critical for aligning drive shaft
and eliminating harmonic vibrations.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 5 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

differential housing block.
2. Tighten PPF/differential mounting spacer bolts to 28-38 ft. lbs. (38-52 N.m). See Fig. 4
. Install PPF to
differential. Hand-tighten long bolts. Ensure PPF-to-differential large shank reamer bolt and spacer are
properly installed.
3. When PPF is properly aligned between transmission and differential, tighten all long mounting bolts to
specification. Install rear transmission-to-PPF bracket and tighten to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS . To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Before installing M/T shift
lever, add gear oil to transmission through shifter hole. Fill all fluids to correct level. Prime fuel system
before attempting to start engine. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING. Bleed cooling system.
See COOLING SYSTEM BLEEDING.
Fig. 4: Locating PPF
-To-Differential Reamer Bolt, Sleeve & Spacer
NOTE: Reamer bolt is the front long bolt attaching PPF to differential. This bolt
aligns PPF with drive train.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 6 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Removal & Installation (Protege)
1. Release residual pressure from fuel system. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING .
Disconnect negative battery cable. Reference mark and remove hood. Raise vehicle. Remove engine
undercover and side covers. See Fig. 5
. Drain engine, transaxle and cooling system fluids. Remove front
wheels.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 7 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 5: Removing Engine Components (Protege)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Lower vehicle. Remove air cleaner assembly. Remove battery/carrier assembly. Remove throttle cable
and air intake duct across radiator (if equipped).
3. Remove all drive belts. DO NOT disconnect power steering hoses or A/C compressor hoses. Unbolt
power steering pump and A/C compressor from engine, and wire aside.
4. Note locations and disconnect all necessary electrical connectors, ground wires, vacuum hoses, fuel
hoses, coolant hoses and control cables for engine removal.
5. Plug all fuel hoses to avoid leakage. Attach engine support bar or engine hoist to secure engine. Raise
vehicle. Disconnect exhaust manifold down pipe and exhaust brackets from engine. On A/T models,
remove shift control cable.
6. On M/T models, remove shift control linkage and extension bar. Remove clutch release cylinder and fluid
line bracket from transaxle housing, leaving fluid line connected to cylinder. Secure cylinder away from
transaxle.
7. On all models, remove transmission wiring harness connectors and speedometer cable. Remove axle shaft
nuts from hubs. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arms. Separate lower ball joints and steering
tie-rod ends from steering knuckles.
8. Pry axle shafts out of transaxle. Remove and discard circlip from axle shafts. For further information on
axle shafts, see appropriate article in DRIVE AXLES.
9. Remove transaxle mount nuts from crossmember and loosen crossmember bolts. See Fig. 6
. Lower
vehicle and attach engine hoist for engine removal. Remove engine front mount and transaxle top mount
from inner fender panels. Remove transaxle crossmember. Remove engine and transaxle assembly from
top of vehicle.
10. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specifications. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS . Fill all fluids to correct level. Prime fuel system before attempting to start engine.
See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING
. Bleed cooling system. See COOLING SYSTEM
BLEEDING.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 8 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 6: Removing Engine Mounts (Protege)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
INTAKE MANIFOLD
Removal
1. Release residual pressure from fuel system. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING .
Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain cooling system. Remove air cleaner assembly and ducting. See
Fig. 3
or Fig. 5 . Mark and disconnect coolant hoses, vacuum hoses and electrical connectors from intake
manifolds.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 9 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

2. Disconnect throttle cable. Remove fuel lines from fuel rail and pressure regulator. Remove throttle body
intake duct housing and throttle body. Remove by-pass air control valve and solenoid valves. Remove
upper intake manifold (if equipped).
3. Remove intake manifold support bracket from underneath manifold. Disconnect injector harness
connectors, and remove injectors/fuel rail assembly. Remove intake manifold and gasket.
Installation
1. Ensure all gasket surfaces are clean and flat. Using NEW gasket, install intake manifold to cylinder head.
Tighten manifold bolts/nuts evenly to specification, starting from center bolt and alternating outward. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Install support bracket underneath intake manifold.
2. Install gasket and upper intake manifold (if equipped). Tighten bolts/nuts evenly to specification,
alternating from top to bottom. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
3. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Ensure throttle cable has .04-.12" (1-3 mm) free
play. Ensure injectors twist freely and are not cocked in insulator "O" rings. Refill engine with coolant.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD
Removal & Installation
1. Remove air cleaner intake duct from top of radiator/fan assembly (if equipped). Disconnect oxygen
sensor. Remove heat shields. Disconnect down pipe from exhaust manifold. Remove exhaust manifold.
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure all mating surfaces are clean and flat. Install NEW exhaust
manifold gasket to cylinder head. Tighten manifold bolts evenly to specification, starting from center bolt
and alternating outward. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
CYLINDER HEAD
Removal
1. Release residual pressure from fuel system. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING . Drain
engine coolant. Note locations and disconnect all necessary electrical connectors, ground wires, vacuum
hoses, fuel hoses, coolant hoses and control cables for cylinder head removal. Plug all fuel hoses to avoid
leakage.
2. Remove spark plug wires from spark plugs. Remove all drive belts. Remove water pump pulley. Remove
timing belt. See TIMING BELT
. Remove camshaft/rocker cover.
3. Remove front exhaust pipe. Remove intake manifold support bracket. Loosen all cylinder head bolts
evenly, in 3 steps, in reverse of tightening sequence. See Fig. 7
. Remove bolts and cylinder head
assembly.
Inspection
Carefully clean carbon and gasket material from all mating surfaces. Clean threads of cylinder head bolts. Use a
tap to clean threads in engine block. Check cylinder head for warpage. Resurface or replace head if it is not
within specification. Check valve train components. Replace or resurface components if they are not within

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 10 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.