How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Engines, Transmissions & Final Drive questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, The American, Lokiel, -alex, miata, StanTheMan, greenMachine, ManiacLachy, Daffy

NMX516
Speed Racer
Posts: 2057
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:05 pm
Vehicle: NB SP
Location: Brisbane

How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby NMX516 » Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:25 pm

The owners manual for the NB8B just lists that the clutch fluid should just be "Inspected" at every service, but never replaced...

I would have thought it should be done at least every couple of years as it can absorb moisture over time, or at least change it at the same intervals as the diff and gearbox oils.

Thoughts??
Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

project.r.racing
Speed Racer
Posts: 3722
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:16 pm
Vehicle: Non MX-5
Location: Glasshouse Mountains, QLD

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby project.r.racing » Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:37 pm

40K - as per user manual.

NMX516
Speed Racer
Posts: 2057
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:05 pm
Vehicle: NB SP
Location: Brisbane

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby NMX516 » Tue Dec 24, 2013 3:45 pm

Yep that's a fair interval, but as I mentioned, the owners manual doesn't list any interval at all for replacement.

I just had the 100k service done and all other fluids were changed, but not the clutch fluid despite it looking old and black...
Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

User avatar
hks_kansei
Speed Racer
Posts: 6154
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby hks_kansei » Tue Dec 24, 2013 4:08 pm

The proper tool is a machine that measures it and tells you the moisture content.

It's cheaper to just change the fluid every so often though, a bottle of Castrol Super Response is like $12, and that bottle will likely do 5 clutch fluid changes.
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)

User avatar
tescoking
Racing Driver
Posts: 824
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2012 1:48 am
Vehicle: NB8B
Location: Perth, WA

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby tescoking » Tue Dec 24, 2013 6:27 pm

Change when the colour turned dark
My 5
Late 2000 Sunlight Silver NB8B
Image

manga_blue
Forum Guru
Posts: 4897
Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:27 pm
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Moruya, NSW

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby manga_blue » Tue Dec 24, 2013 6:31 pm

Normally every 2 years for both clutch and brake fluids on any car. It's time dependent, not mileage dependent. The fluids absorb moisture over time. You could change them less often if you lived out the back of Bourke and more often at Bondi. Change the brake fluid every 6-12 months if you're tracking it.

If you waited until the colour went dark then that could indicate either that you have corrosion in the cylinders or degradation of the seals and it's too late.
’95 NA8

User avatar
JBT
Speed Racer
Posts: 7946
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NC
Location: Brisbane

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby JBT » Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:37 pm

I get the clutch and brakes flushed at the same time. It's a common reservoir on most cars these days.
Image

NMX516
Speed Racer
Posts: 2057
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:05 pm
Vehicle: NB SP
Location: Brisbane

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby NMX516 » Wed Dec 25, 2013 10:45 am

Thanks for the replies guys. So as I thought, no good reason not to have changed the clutch fluid...
Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.

User avatar
Regie
Speed Racer
Posts: 4259
Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 3:02 pm
Vehicle: NC - V8
Location: Sydney

Re: How often should clutch fluid be replaced?

Postby Regie » Thu Dec 26, 2013 8:35 am

yep every year for me, when I do the brake fluid also
MY07 NC, Mazdaspeed Body, Ohlins, Full GWR Exhaust, 17x9 RPF1's, 4.1FGR and lots lots more


Return to “MX5 Engines, Transmission & Final Drive”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 83 guests