Clutch/shifter problem

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Me - 31 Oct 2004 02:31 GMT

I cam out this morning and couldn't get the thing to shift until the
car had warmed up for about five minutes. The clutch has felt the last
week ro so as if it's not disengaging until the pedal is almost all
the way down.

throw bearing? clutch? It has been moist around here recently.

JJ

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Simply Pete - 31 Oct 2004 03:05 GMT

I would think the most likely is a problem with the clutch hydraulics...
like maybe low clutch fluid... due to leaking clutch cylinder, etc.
I'm not sure how the 'warming up for 5 minutes' figures into it though.

Pete

> I cam out this morning and couldn't get the thing to shift until the
> car had warmed up for about five minutes. The clutch has felt the last
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> JJ

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Lanny Chambers - 31 Oct 2004 03:34 GMT

> I cam out this morning and couldn't get the thing to shift until the
> car had warmed up for about five minutes. The clutch has felt the last
> week ro so as if it's not disengaging until the pedal is almost all
> the way down.

There's a 99% chance your clutch slave cylinder is leaking and needs to
be rebuilt (or replaced). Not a big deal; see the instructions at
miata.net if you want to tackle it yourself. Keeping the reservoir
topped off and pumping up the pedal before shifting might give you a few
more days before it fails completely. Don't wait too long--it can be
pretty challenging to drive to the shop without using the clutch.

Signature

Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

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Me - 31 Oct 2004 04:49 GMT

Thought of the hydraulics just after I wrote. Much better problem than
mechanical stuff. I'll top it off tomorrow. Probably just enough fluid
to circulate when warm?

Jon

>> I cam out this morning and couldn't get the thing to shift until the
>> car had warmed up for about five minutes. The clutch has felt the last
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>more days before it fails completely. Don't wait too long--it can be
>pretty challenging to drive to the shop without using the clutch.

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Lanny Chambers - 31 Oct 2004 14:59 GMT

> Thought of the hydraulics just after I wrote. Much better problem than
> mechanical stuff. I'll top it off tomorrow. Probably just enough fluid
> to circulate when warm?

It's not the heat. Using the clutch pumps the system back up,
temporarily. It will rapidly get worse, so plan to fix it soon.

Signature

Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

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Me - 01 Nov 2004 19:39 GMT

I added more fluid. Is it necessary to bleed the line? Things are much
better, but it still feels as if the clutch doesn't disengage until
late in the game.

JJ

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Leon van Dommelen - 02 Nov 2004 01:59 GMT

>I added more fluid.

No good.

> Is it necessary to bleed the line?

No.

> Things are much
>better,

No.

> but it still feels as if the clutch doesn't disengage until
>late in the game.

If you have not replaced your slave cylinder in the last 50 kmi,
it is leaking and topping up or bleeding is not going to help.
You need to replace or rebuild it. I am sure instructions are
on miata.net.

Leon

Signature

Leon van Dommelen :) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

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Me - 03 Nov 2004 01:26 GMT

Yes, I will be replacing the slave cyliner, however, adding more fluid
did help me to be able to get the car into gear and shift normally so
while I understand the intent of this reply--in my humble opinion
adding more fluid is a perfectly worthwhile stopgap that will serve to
get those who have a similar problem to the repair shop.

Note: I could shift without the engine running so I was able to get
into reverse and 1st or 2nd and drive a short ways even before adding
fluid.

JJ

>>I added more fluid.
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
>Leon

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vanvalk - 27 Feb 2008 12:53 GMT

I just replaced the slave cylinder on my Miata. The fluid level in the
Master Cylinder continues to go down but I can not see any leakage. If I let
it sit over night, the next morning the level is down to empty. I have looked
and looked for some leakage but don't see anything. Any suggestions?

>Yes, I will be replacing the slave cyliner, however, adding more fluid
>did help me to be able to get the car into gear and shift normally so
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>>
>>Leon

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