My theory is not that the sensor itself is suspect by itself, but rather by its placement. On 99-00 cars, the sensor is on the front of the valve cover on the other side of the intake cam sprocket, whereas on 01+ cars, it sits atop the rear of the valve cover (very hot) where it probes into engine oil (even hotter) at all times. Not an ideal arrangement. If Mazda didn't have to fit the VVT actuator to the front of the intake cam sprocket on 01+ cars, they probably would have left it in the original position.
In short, if your sensor is on the front of your valve cover, I wouldn't worry about it--there are plenty of other sensors that'd likely break down first. -Bryan --- On Sun, 6/22/08, Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [Miata] 2002 Bucking - 100mi Update To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], "'Miata Power List'" <[email protected]>, "'Miata Mailing List'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 9:20 PM Yea it does, I thought that was the point. That the sensor on the cam was the problem. Larry White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5 LowCountry Miata http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net Masters Miata RAGS 074 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bryan Wyatt Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:13 PM To: 'Miata Power List'; 'Miata Mailing List' Subject: RE: [Miata] 2002 Bucking - 100mi Update Being that the MSM basically has a 99 engine, does it also have the Cam Sensor on the front of the valve cover like all 99-00 cars? If so, I wouldn't worry about it--I'll happily take that spare ;-) -Bryan --- On Sun, 6/22/08, Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [Miata] 2002 Bucking - 100mi Update To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], "'Miata Power List'" <[email protected]>, "'Miata Mailing List'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 9:09 PM Interesting, good to know. My MSM has one so I might keep a spare around. Larry White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5 LowCountry Miata http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net Masters Miata RAGS 074 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bryan Wyatt Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 8:54 PM To: 'Miata Power List'; 'Miata Mailing List' Subject: RE: [Miata] 2002 Bucking - 100mi Update Yes. I should have clarified that I had replaced the Cam Position Sensor. For 01+ owners, this seems to be an almost common necessity, as the plastic sensor is constantly exposed to hot engine oil. -Bryan --- On Sun, 6/22/08, Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [Miata] 2002 Bucking - 100mi Update To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], "'Miata Power List'" <[email protected]>, "'Miata Mailing List'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 8:52 PM Is this the sensor on the intake cam?? Larry White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5 LowCountry Miata http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net Masters Miata RAGS 074 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bryan Wyatt Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 8:19 PM To: Miata Power List; Miata Mailing List Subject: [Miata] 2002 Bucking - 100mi Update As the post title says, I've driven about 100mi on the new sensor without bucking. I've done everything but drive it HARD (in every case, bucking happened during normal driving anyway) including running the AC. There are some things that the AC does that are still scaring me, but at least the car doesn't seem to be bucking :-) On the other hand, I changed the fuel filter today. After washing my hands about 5 times and showering twice, I still smell like gasoline! Of course, I did have some running down my hands and arms and it'd just sprayed in my face (accompanied by a surprised exclamation of dubious origin). Seriously...I'm glad I'm only going to ever have to do this a couple of times ever... -Bryan
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