Just bought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

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BigAL
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Just bought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by BigAL »

Hi all, im new to the club! 21 years old. Living in SE London.

i purchased my Caribean blue 1996 MK2 MR2 on Monday and its everything i have ever wanted its incredible. im in the process of running over a few things to get it up to 100% health.

The issues i have so far is the:

1. Drivers side T-BAR seal is leaking - small drips of water are coming into the car when driving if wet, on the middle part of the seal (brought a car cover today) but want to look into sorting this ASAP.

2. There is a grinding noise coming from the break (i can feel the vibration on my brake peddle) only happens when coming to a stop roughly starts at 8-1 mph.

3. engine light is coming on every now and again during 4-5k revs

4> is there anything else primarily that commonly goes wrong with a MK2 - MR2 that i should be checking and or be aware of?

Overall the car is running smoothly and I'm looking forward to keeping it stock and upgrading the key parts to keep its overall health and performance. Also learning more about mechanics and mastering the art of MR2 ownership!

Lokk forward to hearing from you guys, and hopefully meeting up at an event soon! :th:
Last edited by BigAL on 17/01/19 16:38, edited 1 time in total.


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peteV6R5
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by peteV6R5 »

Hi and welcome to the OC.
know your 2 is going to be your freind in most of your questions.

1. Drivers side T-BAR seal is leaking - small drips of water are coming into the car when driving if wet, on the middle part of the seal (brought a car cover today) but want to look into sorting this ASAP.
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=281
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=205
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=206
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=207
or buy new rubbers at c£200 per side.
2. There is a grinding noise coming from the break (i can feel the vibration on my brake peddle) only happens when coming to a stop roughly starts at 8-1 mph.
I would suggest you attend to this ASAP... sounds like sticky piston (very common), sticky sliders (very common) or worn out pads.
3. engine light is coming on every now and again during 4-5k revs
if it is engine light then you should have error codes to point you in right direction
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=162

there a starter for 10
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by TonyleFrog »

BigAL wrote: 17/01/19 11:39 ...and hopefully meeting up at an event soon! :th:
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/14/16704 ... wold%20run

The (early morning!) Kent Run season will commence at some point.
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/47/16731 ... n#p1771703
Look for a post in this sub-forum - https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/47.html

Aarrgghh! It's bought, not brought... ;)
If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by Tallboy »

BigAL wrote: 17/01/19 11:39
4> is there anything else primarily that commonly goes wrong with a MK2 - MR2 that i should be checking and or be aware of?
Rust! Check your sills and pull the boot carpet back over the rear archs and check everything is nice and solid.
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BigAL
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by BigAL »

peteV6R5 wrote: 17/01/19 12:31 Hi and welcome to the OC.
know your 2 is going to be your freind in most of your questions.

1. Drivers side T-BAR seal is leaking - small drips of water are coming into the car when driving if wet, on the middle part of the seal (brought a car cover today) but want to look into sorting this ASAP.
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=281
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=205
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=206
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=207
or buy new rubbers at c£200 per side.
2. There is a grinding noise coming from the break (i can feel the vibration on my brake peddle) only happens when coming to a stop roughly starts at 8-1 mph.
I would suggest you attend to this ASAP... sounds like sticky piston (very common), sticky sliders (very common) or worn out pads.
3. engine light is coming on every now and again during 4-5k revs
if it is engine light then you should have error codes to point you in right direction
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2 ... bartid=162

there a starter for 10

Cheers for that mate! and thank you! ill look into this, thank you for the advice!

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BigAL
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by BigAL »

TonyleFrog wrote: 17/01/19 12:47
BigAL wrote: 17/01/19 11:39 ...and hopefully meeting up at an event soon! :th:
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/14/16704 ... wold%20run

The (early morning!) Kent Run season will commence at some point.
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/47/16731 ... n#p1771703
Look for a post in this sub-forum - https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/47.html

Aarrgghh! It's bought, not brought... ;)

Ill Definitely try and make it down! would love to meet some fellow MR2 enthusiasts! im a cameraman and editor also so i would love to look into making a short MR2 documentary with some of you guys from the MR2 club!

- this was a short doc i made and the main guy is my Uncle! i wanted to share the 50th Ro 80 anniversary as much as i could so i decided to make a short doc :D

Would love to do something like this for the MR2

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BigAL
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by BigAL »

Tallboy wrote: 17/01/19 14:08
BigAL wrote: 17/01/19 11:39
4> is there anything else primarily that commonly goes wrong with a MK2 - MR2 that i should be checking and or be aware of?
Rust! Check your sills and pull the boot carpet back over the rear archs and check everything is nice and solid.

Cheers mate ill look over that ASAP!

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BigAL
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by BigAL »

TonyleFrog wrote: 17/01/19 12:47
BigAL wrote: 17/01/19 11:39 ...and hopefully meeting up at an event soon! :th:
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/14/16704 ... wold%20run

The (early morning!) Kent Run season will commence at some point.
https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/47/16731 ... n#p1771703
Look for a post in this sub-forum - https://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/47.html

Aarrgghh! It's bought, not brought... ;)
:cheeky: my bad typoooo!

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Re: Just bought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by MRHAPPY62 »

Welcome to the Club :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
MK2 3sge Uk sold.
MK3 Chilli red sold.
MK2 Smg Gltd Super Edition now with V6
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by gavsdavs »

BigAL wrote: 17/01/19 16:31 - this was a short doc i made and the main guy is my Uncle! i wanted to share the 50th Ro 80 anniversary as much as i could so i decided to make a short doc :D
My Dad had an RO80 when I was a kid - maybe around 1980. It was lovely until it lost compression. Quite revolutionary and distinctive. Will check it out...

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BigAL
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Re: Just bought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by BigAL »

MRHAPPY62 wrote: 17/01/19 17:33 Welcome to the Club :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Cheers dude :th: :D

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BigAL
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Re: Just Brought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by BigAL »

gavsdavs wrote: 17/01/19 22:13
BigAL wrote: 17/01/19 16:31 - this was a short doc i made and the main guy is my Uncle! i wanted to share the 50th Ro 80 anniversary as much as i could so i decided to make a short doc :D
My Dad had an RO80 when I was a kid - maybe around 1980. It was lovely until it lost compression. Quite revolutionary and distinctive. Will check it out...
Cheers mate! and yes they are very nice cars, it was great to see so many all at once! :th:
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Re: Just bought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by abovetherim »

Check behind the side panels behind the seats where the seat belts are. Down there is some sound deadening foam from factory. If it's still there pull it out and toss it as that can promote rot.

On the t bar leak... When you say middle where do you mean? There are quick fixes using RTV sealant or eccentric guides but new seals, though a little pricey are the best option.
Engines and unfinished business on YouTube did an episode on replacing theirs.
1991 rev 1 T Bar n/a 3sge import. A work in progress!!!
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Re: Just bought a 1996 MK2 - Advice/Help Please!

Post by abovetherim »

Oh and welcome to the fold
1991 rev 1 T Bar n/a 3sge import. A work in progress!!!

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