NA6 MX5 - Gearchange problem

[muzzy66]

Hi guys,

I've had my NA for just over 3 months now. Everything was pretty much lovely until the problem came up out of nowhere this morning when I tried to drive it out of the garage.

The gear shift is typically lovely and smooth, but this morning I couldn't get the car into either first or reverse. I could get it into the other gears, but even then it felt a little rough. AFter about 10 attempts I finally got it, and drove the car to work. After a couple of mins of driving the problem seemed to clear up somewhat,

Leaving work for my lunch break, It happened again. I struggled to get it into gear and get it home. Leaving home it was again a struggle, but then on the way to work it again seemed to go back to normal.

Later at night, on the way to a cafe, things got worse. During one gear change (I think 2nd to 3rd) the shift made a noise that sounded as if the gears were rubbing. I put the car in neutral to let it roll approaching a red light, then as the light changed green I tried to put it into first but it wouldn't go. Tried second, no good. Tried every single gear, but I wasn't able to get the car out of neutral.

I pushed the clutch in as hard as I possibly could and somehow managed to just slot it into second in time for me to get to the destination - then on the way home I had the same problem agian.

The best way I can describe it, is that it feels as if I'm trying to put it into gear without using the clutch.

One odd thing I noticed, is that when I turn the car off and take my foot off the clutch, everything is fine. It slips straight into every gear with no hessitation at all - but then as soon as I fire the car up again, put my foot on the clutch, and try to shift it just won't go.

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to give as much information as I possibly could. Does anyone have any idea of what the problem would be, and how big a problem it is?

P.s.

Not sure if this is significant, but it seems to feel as if there is less pressure on the clutch pedal. It could be my imagination, but it seems to feel lighter, as if there is barely any pressure required to push the clutch in. Again this could be my imagination, but thought I'd bring it up anyway.

Thanks guy! I'm really stressed about this, as I have final exams for uni next week and need a car!!

[JBT]

You have a hydraulic problem. Most likely your clutch slave cylinder is leaking and needs repair/replacement. Get some brake fluid and top up the clutch master cylinder reservoir - the small square one to the right of the brake master cylinder in this picture.



You may need to \"pump\" the clutch pedal to get enough pressure until the problem is fixed. The slave cylinder is under the car. http://www.miata.net/garage/slavecyl.html

[muzzy66]

Thanks no end for that - that has got to be the problem.

Was afraid I had a dead clutch or a buggered gearbox for a while!

Much appreciated

[bruce]

Check the levels. If the fluid is down, see if you can spot where it's going (can be hard to spot). Happened in my Mini once - leaked inside under the carpet and saturated the underlay.

[muzzy66]

Well I have been getting unexplained dampness in the boot at times, but I can't imagine it could go that far! Right?

[JBT]

Take it to a brake and clutch place and get them to have a look. The slave cylinder is the likely culprit. It lives where the engine and transmission join on the driver's side under the car. If you can get to it, squeeze the rubber boot at the rear end of it. If hydraulic fluid comes out, it's stuffed.

It will not cause dampness anywhere except the floor of your garage.

However, if the master cylinder is leaking (less likely), hydraulic fluid could accumulate on the floor of the car near the clutch pedal area. It will cause the floor to rust rapidly.

[Alex]

sounds like the symptoms I was having when my slave went

if you are really having trouble getting it into gears then \"pump\" the clutch a few times and it'll get some pressure back but it's only a temporary fix
mine was hard to get into 1st from standstill, 2 hours later it was near impossible so get it checked out

[muzzy66]

All symtoms suggest it's the slave cylinder. Topped up the clutch fluid and as suggested, it fixed the problem for the time being.

Picked up the repalcement slave cylinder yesterday, and will get my brother to help me change in when he has the time.

Topping up the fluid has it shifting like new for now, so hopefully that will be enough to get my around for the next week until my exams are over.

Thanks heaps guys, it's much appreciated

[Fatty]

mine feels .... similar.

edit.. just checking it now, i think it is a problem with the actual gear stick, i think my shorthifter is stuffed. it is drivable tho.