What was the verdict?
Time to put the Miata back on the lift. Would a fresh gas tank cure our ills?
To access the tank, we removed the rear subframe and PPF as a single unit. Yes, it's not a one-person job.
Installation is reverse of disassembly.
Big question as put the car back on the ground: Did we fix our problem?
With a lift and air tools, this turned into a 2-hour job. With jack stands and hand tools, to be honest it would have been a bit of a pain in the rear.
We tried all of the basics, but our Sunburst Yellow 1992 Mazda Miata kept running poorly—as if it were starting for fuel. Hey, maybe it was starving for fuel.
The car had sat for years before we found it, and what we drained out the gas tank could only loosely be described as gasoline. We’d label it closer to varnish.
Finally, it was time to attack the problem at the source and install a fresh fuel tank. Flyin’ Miata does more than attach warp drives to Miatas, as they also offer a salvage service. They had a tank in stock, and shipped it our way.
Replacing a Miata’s gas tank is a bit involved thanks to the “stuff” that’s in the way: power plant frame, drive shaft and rear suspension subframe. With a lift, transmission jack, air tools and four pair of hands, this turned into a 2-hour job. With jack stands and hand tools, to be honest it would have been a bit of a pain in the rear.
Once access had been reached, the tank itself is held in with four bolts. Then installation is the reverse of disassembly.
So, would that fix our problem?
| Get the answer to life, the universe and everything automotive 8 times a year. Subscribe to Grassroots Motorsports now. |
What was the verdict?
We tried all of the basics, but our Sunburst Yellow 1992 Mazda Miata kept running poorly—as if it were starting for fuel. Hey, maybe it was starving for fuel.
The car had sat for years before we found it, and what we drained out the gas tank could only loosely be described as gasoline. We’d label it closer to varnish.
Finally, it was time to attack the problem at the source and install a fresh fuel tank. Flyin’ Miata does more than attach warp drives to Miatas, as they also offer a salvage service. They had a tank in stock, and shipped it our way.
Replacing a Miata’s gas tank is a bit involved thanks to the “stuff” that’s in the way: power plant frame, drive shaft and rear suspension subframe. With a lift, transmission jack, air tools and four pair of hands, this turned into a 2-hour job. With jack stands and hand tools, to be honest it would have been a bit of a pain in the rear.
Once access had been reached, the tank itself is held in with four bolts. Then installation is the reverse of disassembly.
So, would that fix our problem?
| Get the answer to life, the universe and everything automotive 8 times a year. Subscribe to Grassroots Motorsports now. |
You guys are so mean...
You tease(s). Did it work??
Displaying 1-4 of 4 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
