i didnt even think of checking the fluid in my clutch im sat here waiting for pay day with my miata parked away waiting to get a new clutch... topped it up with fluid and im back on road!
Hey Miata man, thank you brotha for helping us! Clutch suddenly lost all feel and had to tow the car home, just checked the fluid level and it’s completely gone. I’ll try filling it up and seeing if that works, thank you!
@@MiataMan Looks like the clutch slave cylinder might have gone out instead of the clutch itself! before I stumbled on your channel I had no idea that even was or that there was even a reservoir for clutch fluid haha. Thanks.
Your knowledge about the leaky slave cylinder is spot on. It's what happened to my f150. But it uses the same Mazda transmission that was from the Ranger/B-Series. Perhaps that's a common issue w/ Mazda?
I would call the slave cylinder on the Miata a “maintenance item”. Very common part to wear out. I’ve seen ford Rangers that have the slave cylinder inside the transmission. I’m glad the Miata has it on the outside 😊
I lost all clutch pressure and leaked the fluid onto the road. Would that mean I either need to replace the master or slave instead of getting a new clutch?
Isn't emptying the reservoirs going to allow air into the system? I know you can get the air out while bleeding the brakes/clutch but when I let the res get to low on a an accord I used to own, it was really difficult to get all the air out of the lines.had to bleed the system several times and it still never really seemed like I got all the air out.
Not an issue, as you are not creating any air pockets by emptying the reservoir. There is still fluid in the lines and in the master cylinder that will not allow air to get in. Just be sure not to suck the fluid out of the small hole at the bottom of the reservoir.
Air doesn’t enter the system when you suck the fluid out the reservoir. There will still be fluid in the hole at the bottom, that will not allow air in. It’s a good idea to bleed the system as good maintenance. You will also want to check for leaks at each calliper. Could also be a failing master cylinder.
Different sizes and brands are available at many automotive stores, Walmart, Amazon and marine supply stores. Pela or Mighty Vac are the two main “oil extractor” pump brands that I have seen.
I just got my 1999 NB1 miata and ready to change the brake and clutch fluid. one question for you: Do I have to wait until the fluid cool down to change them out or I can do it whenever ? Thank you for your helpful video
Thank you for this video!!!!! I already spent money on a new clutch kit and went ahead and got a new flywheel.. but I bet this was my real issue having only recently realized my brake and master fluid levels are low... Gonna do this today and see if this helps
if the reservoir is low, you have a leak somewhere. I'd carefully check along the lines all the way to the calipers. Its fairly cheap and easy to repalce all the hoses and hardware anyways, so just drain the fluid, replace the lines (with SS braided ones if you want some performance out of them) and just do a proper, full bleed.
My miatas clutch master gets really dark really fast as well, faster then other manual cars I've owned. Is there a reason behind this thats miata specific?
I've changed over to stainless lines and better slave and master but still seems to go fast. I'm thinking heat, I got the miata with no undertray so possibly worse airflow and therefore less cooling effect? Just a thought. Great vid thanks for the reply.
is that a 91? I sold mine not too long ago, only year the BRG color was available, definitely my favorite! btw..I've generally read that you do not want the reservoirs to be that low...you get air into the system if it goes much below the minimum line. I was just telling someone yesterday to turkey baste the fluid down to a safe point, fill with new, and repeat but keeping the base of the reservoir filled with fluid. Otherwise you have to bleed the system. there is still fluid in the lines, proportioning valve, and calipers. this makes me miss my 91 SE! They're rare now too in good condition and only 4000 were made ever, and most were wrecked/parted/etc. I had #3650.
Excuse me Miata man but I'm having a headlight issue I haven't been able to get any help anywhere it's a different problem from any of your videos. From the closed position the driver side goes up fine but looks saggy once it's settled then will not go down the motor gets power but stays stuck IV tried the relay and no luck. Any advice please?
Try unplugging the power connector and winding it up and down using the red knob i there the rubber boot on top of the headlight motor. Then reconnect the power and see if it acts normally.
I just discovered that there is no more oil in the clutch master cilinder reservoir. maybe after 22 years it dried up? We bought the car when it was 16 years old.
The Dot3 brake fluid that used to be in the clutch master cylinder reservoir has leaked out. It mostly likely has slowly dripped out of the clutch slave cylinder in the side of the transmission. I would recommend replacing the master and slave cylinders at the same time.
@@MiataMan After 3 days doing nothing to the car, there was 2 milimeter of oil back in the master cylinder reservoir, so hopefully it was just all about low level of oil after 22 years.....
Most cars now days share the reservoir for both brakes and clutches..so yes its the same fluid. Check the Haynes/Chilton to be sure or search online real quick.
i didnt even think of checking the fluid in my clutch im sat here waiting for pay day with my miata parked away waiting to get a new clutch... topped it up with fluid and im back on road!
Just picked up my first mx5 on Sunday! Defo had that clutch issue this am! Thank you for this. Immediately subscribed.
Congratulations on getting an MX5 🎉 I hope my videos will enrich your Miata experience 😎
Hey Miata man, thank you brotha for helping us! Clutch suddenly lost all feel and had to tow the car home, just checked the fluid level and it’s completely gone. I’ll try filling it up and seeing if that works, thank you!
You are welcome 👍
@@MiataMan Looks like the clutch slave cylinder might have gone out instead of the clutch itself! before I stumbled on your channel I had no idea that even was or that there was even a reservoir for clutch fluid haha. Thanks.
Did it work after u fill mine did the same but after two hours it turned on without me checking fluids and assume it was clutch
Your knowledge about the leaky slave cylinder is spot on. It's what happened to my f150. But it uses the same Mazda transmission that was from the Ranger/B-Series. Perhaps that's a common issue w/ Mazda?
I would call the slave cylinder on the Miata a “maintenance item”. Very common part to wear out.
I’ve seen ford Rangers that have the slave cylinder inside the transmission.
I’m glad the Miata has it on the outside 😊
I lost all clutch pressure and leaked the fluid onto the road. Would that mean I either need to replace the master or slave instead of getting a new clutch?
Yes ✅
Your clutch slave cylinder has likely blown it’s seal. You will also want to check the rubber hose that goes to it.
Isn't emptying the reservoirs going to allow air into the system?
I know you can get the air out while bleeding the brakes/clutch but when I let the res get to low on a an accord I used to own, it was really difficult to get all the air out of the lines.had to bleed the system several times and it still never really seemed like I got all the air out.
Not an issue, as you are not creating any air pockets by emptying the reservoir.
There is still fluid in the lines and in the master cylinder that will not allow air to get in. Just be sure not to suck the fluid out of the small hole at the bottom of the reservoir.
Is this all you need to do? I just did this and now its really hard to brake. Do i need to bleed out the brakes?
Air doesn’t enter the system when you suck the fluid out the reservoir. There will still be fluid in the hole at the bottom, that will not allow air in.
It’s a good idea to bleed the system as good maintenance.
You will also want to check for leaks at each calliper. Could also be a failing master cylinder.
Where do I get one of those pumps?
Different sizes and brands are available at many automotive stores, Walmart, Amazon and marine supply stores.
Pela or Mighty Vac are the two main “oil extractor” pump brands that I have seen.
You can use an old soap bottle pump or a spray bottle pump too
I just got my 1999 NB1 miata and ready to change the brake and clutch fluid. one question for you: Do I have to wait until the fluid cool down to change them out or I can do it whenever ? Thank you for your helpful video
The fluid can be changed anytime.
It shouldn’t be all that warm.
do you not need to take the passenger tire off and bleed the clutch fluid or can you really just drain and refill the reservoir
To bleed the system, you need to do it at the slave cylinder. The passenger wheel needs to be removed to access it.
Hi, I know this video is older, but will this be enough even if the fluids are bad throughout? Or do I need to bleed them?
A full bleed is a very good idea.
Be careful of seized bleed screws though. If you snap a bleed screw, you will be buying a replacement calliper.
Thank you for this video!!!!! I already spent money on a new clutch kit and went ahead and got a new flywheel.. but I bet this was my real issue having only recently realized my brake and master fluid levels are low... Gonna do this today and see if this helps
if the reservoir is low, you have a leak somewhere. I'd carefully check along the lines all the way to the calipers. Its fairly cheap and easy to repalce all the hoses and hardware anyways, so just drain the fluid, replace the lines (with SS braided ones if you want some performance out of them) and just do a proper, full bleed.
My miatas clutch master gets really dark really fast as well, faster then other manual cars I've owned. Is there a reason behind this thats miata specific?
It’s a very common thing on Miatas.
It happens a lot slower after the clutch slave and master get replaced.
I've changed over to stainless lines and better slave and master but still seems to go fast. I'm thinking heat, I got the miata with no undertray so possibly worse airflow and therefore less cooling effect? Just a thought. Great vid thanks for the reply.
is that a 91? I sold mine not too long ago, only year the BRG color was available, definitely my favorite!
btw..I've generally read that you do not want the reservoirs to be that low...you get air into the system if it goes much below the minimum line. I was just telling someone yesterday to turkey baste the fluid down to a safe point, fill with new, and repeat but keeping the base of the reservoir filled with fluid. Otherwise you have to bleed the system. there is still fluid in the lines, proportioning valve, and calipers.
this makes me miss my 91 SE! They're rare now too in good condition and only 4000 were made ever, and most were wrecked/parted/etc. I had #3650.
That is indeed a 1991 BRG. SE in the USA / LE in Canada. Unfortunately Mazda Canada didn’t keep track or give them numbered plaques like the US cars.
Excuse me Miata man but I'm having a headlight issue I haven't been able to get any help anywhere it's a different problem from any of your videos. From the closed position the driver side goes up fine but looks saggy once it's settled then will not go down the motor gets power but stays stuck IV tried the relay and no luck. Any advice please?
Try unplugging the power connector and winding it up and down using the red knob i there the rubber boot on top of the headlight motor.
Then reconnect the power and see if it acts normally.
I just discovered that there is no more oil in the clutch master cilinder reservoir. maybe after 22 years it dried up? We bought the car when it was 16 years old.
The Dot3 brake fluid that used to be in the clutch master cylinder reservoir has leaked out.
It mostly likely has slowly dripped out of the clutch slave cylinder in the side of the transmission.
I would recommend replacing the master and slave cylinders at the same time.
@@MiataMan After 3 days doing nothing to the car, there was 2 milimeter of oil back in the master cylinder reservoir, so hopefully it was just all about low level of oil after 22 years.....
can I use DOT4 to fill the clutch reservoir ? Honda Civic 1993
Yes. Dot 4 is compatible with Dot 3.
Great videos! Congrats.
Question: What is the clutch fluid? Is it the same used for brake system?
Regards my friend.
Dot 3 brake fluid is used for clutch fluid in most cars. Hope this helps.
Most cars now days share the reservoir for both brakes and clutches..so yes its the same fluid. Check the Haynes/Chilton to be sure or search online real quick.
Thank you!
Can I just be lazy and do this, use the car, do it again a few times and then most of the old fluid will be gone?
i neeed to know this too
@@cuddle2k757 I ended up deciding to not be lazy and just do it haha. Waiting on things to be shipped
@@TotalBorroto Did this work? Were you able to replace all the dirty clutch fluid?
@@OMMITRA I stopped thinking like a lazy person because I decided to replace both the master and slave cylinder and put in stainless steel line