Mazda MX-5 Miata Timing Belt Or Chain ? (1989 – 2017)

Does A Mazda MX-5 Miata Have A Timing Belt (Cambelt) Or A Chain?

Here is a list of timing belts and timing chains for a Mazda MX-5 Miata. Reference the model year with the corresponding engine to see if your car has a belt or a chain.


Mazda MX-5 Miata
Model YearEngineBelt / Chain
1989 - 1997 (NA)1598 cc B6ZE(RS) DOHCtiming belt
1839 cc BP DOHCtiming belt
1998 - 2005 (NB)1.6 L B6-ZE I4 (Europe/Japan)timing belt
1.8 L BP-5Atiming belt
1.8 L BP-4Wtiming belt
1.8 L BP-Z3timing belt
1.8 L turbocharged BPTtiming belt
2005 - 2015 (NC)1.8 L MZRtiming chain
2.0 L MZR I4timing chain
2016 - 2017 (ND)1.5 L SkyActiv-Gtiming chain
2.0 L SkyActiv-Gtiming chain

Which models have a belt/chain?


From 1989 to 2005, all Mx-5 cars featured a timing belt. From 2006 onwards, all cars with the MZR and SkyActiv-G engines have a chain. The 1.6L Mazda B engine which the Miata debuted with featured a camshaft angle sensor and electronic fuel injection with lighter parts as well. The 1.8 L was introduced in 1994 and had more power (around 130 bhp) with better chassis bracing. Cars with this engine also featured a sport package with special shocks and spoilers. In 2005, the 1.8 L and 2.0 L MZR engines were introduced and they were coupled to a 5 speed or 6 speed transmission. A limited edition of MX-5 cars with these engines were also produced featuring chrome accents of which only 3500 were made. In 2016, the the SKYACTIV engines were introduced and this also saw the introduction of the MX-5 retractable fastback model (MX-5 RF) and the 'machine grey' paint scheme.
Mazda MX-5 Miata