MX-5 gear selection problems

Hussman · 8 Feb 2011 at 12:12

Hi,

I've got a '98 mkII MX-5 1.8S (five speed)

Driving to work today all seemed fine. Got to my first meeting and left the car. When I returned selecting 1st gear seemed a bit stiff but, with a bit of force, I could select it.

Driving along changing gear became harder and harder until eventually I was unable to engage 1-3. 4th and 5th were possible with clutch pedal hard on the floor and using all my strength to yank the gear lever.

On the motorway, in fifth all was fine, no odd noises or other issues. However, once off the motorway (a distance of about 35 miles) getting through town I lost all ability to put the car into any gear except 5th.

Managed to limp home. Even with the engine off it is not possible to select any gear apart from 5th now.

Any ideas fellas? I'm not a car expert so keep it simples.

Thanks in advance.

Hussman

Hussman · 8 Feb 2011 at 15:26

Thanks for all the replies.

Will update you as to progress.

Cheers!

Hussman · 8 Feb 2011 at 16:17

Ok, update number 1.

As I mentioned previously I was able to get home in 5th. Once on the drive I stopped the engine and tried to get the car into any gear. No luck. Even with the clutch pedal fully down no gear could be selected (although I was able to take the car out of 5th).

I've just gone outside to see if I can see any leaks of clutch fluid etc.

No visible leaks and nothing on the ground either.

I tried the gear lever and surprisingly can now get her into any gear as normal.

I've driven her back into the garage for now.

The clutch fluid reserve (inside the engine bay) seems about 3/4 full, but the fluid is a rather grubby black colour. I've never changed this, or the gearbox oil, since buying the car 18 months ago.

Would you Guy's still suggest it's the slave cylinder that's died?

Thank you...

Hussman · 24 Mar 2011 at 10:05

Update.

Firstly, thanks for all the helpful advice fellas!

I bought a new slave cylinder and decided, as the clutch fluid was black (looked more like oil than brake fluid), that I should drain the whole lot and replace it.

Problem was the fluid was so gunky (technical term) that it wouldn't run out of the bleed nipple even when I was pumping the clutch with the master cylinder cap removed.

For this reason I decdied to replace the master clutch cylinder too. I assumed it would be full of gunk and just contaminate the new slave.

Parts arrived and I began to work.

According to many articles on the web in relation to changing the master cylinder I was expecting to have to stand on my head or remove the drivers seat in order to get at the bolt holding the master cylinder to the bulkhead.

However, by removing a small piece of fascia, held in only by 2 screws, I was able to get good purchase on the bolt with my socket set!

Removal and replacement f both cylinders went fairly smoothly thanks to copious amounts of WD40 and a hammer!

Both Master and slave were replaced in around 2 hours.

Car is now working again, just in time for the Spring sunshine.

Happy camper