I may have rejoined the ZZBC

[atomicEGT]

Last Saturday I was on my way to work in the Miata, and had just gotten on the highway when I smelled something like candy. Didn't think much of it, since I had the windows down and the OPG and temp were both normal (besides, the coolant I use usually smells like maple syrup). Kept driving for another 10 minutes or so at 75 and happened to look at the temp gauge- ****in thing was pegged. Pull off, call for a ride, leave the car for the tow truck, etc. No coolant smoke from the exhaust, no milkshake on the oil cap/dipstick, coolant all over the firewall/transmission/subframe. No coolant left in the radiator or overflow bottle whatsoever.

Today is the first chance that I have to work on it. Warm the car up for the compression test (let it run for a few minutes, no coolant because I don't want it all over my driveway), it runs like crap. Normal vibration, TONS of valvetrain noise. This may be due to not having been run in over a week. Do the compression test- 178, 180, 145, 160. All but one of the plugs are white. I've got some more things to check out, but it's not looking good.

On the other hand, I did just pick up a 99 head to go with the AE111 IRTBs in my garage... :D

Pics of destruction will come when I tear it apart (don't hold your breath)

[Lex]

Damn, heater core hose? Sorry to hear

[atomicEGT]

That's one of the other things I have to check, considering that little bastard runs right behind the head and could certainly cause the coolant being everywhere. The compression test is what worries me, though. The manual gives a max difference of 28psi between high and low...

[therieldeal]

rut row

[Lex]

Did you check compression before? My original EGT motor had worse compression and it wasnt due to overheating.

[atomicEGT]

I haven't done a compression test since I put the cams in, I don't remember exact numbers but they were all within a 10 psi spread.

[FE3-323]

look up coolant re-routing for the miata. it's seemingly an issue of sorts with them. id guess rather your headgasket crapped out.

[atomicEGT]

I know all about the coolant reroute, that was actually part of this winter's plans.

[atomicEGT]

As suspected, it was the heater hose to the back of the head. Came off the car in two pieces. Replaced both heater hoses and two of the radiator hoses, filled it with coolant, and proceeded to beat the piss out of the car for the next 45 minutes. Temp never went past the cold side of normal, and the car runs strong for having wack-ass compression numbers.

The guilty party:

[progt91]

looks like someone had a little luck on their side. let me know how it feels because i dfinitly never have good luck.

[silverton]

did you recheck the compression?

[atomicEGT]

Not yet. They may be back to normal, maybe not... I don't exactly care. Trying to figure out what I want to do with this car, so for now I'll just drive it.