I think I need to clean the drain tubes on my 2008 roadster…
I realise I need a brush so firstly if anyone can recommend a good one that would be great.
Plus any advice and tips will also be hugely appreciated…
Are they cleared from the top or from underneath ?? The location of the tubes both up top and underneath ?
Up till now my car has always been stored undercover but I have to remove and replace the roof on our carport so I would like to make sure the drain tubes are clear.
Many thanks
Trombone cleaner is ideal, you can get them at MX-5 parts or on eBay.
Have a look on YouTube, loads of videos showing how to do it.
ebay trombone cleaner,
I’ve watched all the videos, but until today have never managed to get it inserted from the top. found the passenger side was wet so had to have a go, out there nearly 2 hrs in the end, managed it once! didn’t clear it so went from the bottom, much easier seems clear now even did the drivers side! just need it to dry out now, still i suppose it will freeze soon!
If its the passenger footwell that’s wet, your drain tube clearing may not have cured the problem.
Its very likely to be the scuttle insert gaskets have failed.
seems to be sodden behind the seat, and damp in the footwell, couldn’t see any evidence of water higher up and the front. the drain was blocked, stuck a small bottle of water down it which didn’t drain out until prodded from underneath, got the roof down and a hairdryer running (as we don’t have a fan heater) trying to dry out as best as possible before it rains later.
also noticed a small amount of water in the boot, at the rear centre, seemed to be below the boot liner about where the lock is, no obvious entry point although the drivers side rear light did have some condensation in it (gone today).
If it’s sodden behind the seat, that does point towards roof drains.
Those gaskets under the inserts will fail though, so plan to do that on a nice Spring day.
Its very easy.
hopefully not too far away!
Hopefully.
The plastic scuttle cover between windscreen and bonnet attaches via two screws that screw into plastic inserts in the metal scuttle beneath.
These inserts are sealed by black foam gaskets made from biodegradable material, so always fail.
Its the passenger side that causes most problems because there is a well moulded into the plastic on that side and the well has a small drain hole that drains onto the area with the failed gasket. This then leaks into the cabin
The cure is to get rid of all traces of the gasket and replace it with silicone sealant. Just as well to do both sides while you’re at it
Guys I’m really struggling here I just cannot find either of the tubes to push the brush into.
I even cut one brush off the end of the cable in the hope I could get that down the tube and then pull the other brush through.
I’ve spent 5 hours trying but cannot even find one of those tubes. I honestly feel like setting fire to that damn car.
I did the tube in the fuel cap area which was dead easy. Why did Mazda not leave us drain tubes we can see ? Is this a dealer job as a result ?
Any help much appreciated I feel defeated here …
top is really difficult to find bottom is a bit easier, if you can see white oval about 20mm dia inside the cill in front of the wheell!
If you clear from the bottom the one way valves will invert, causing it not to drain in future and let road noise into the cabin. That is why you go in from the top and out through the bottom.
I’ve not done it, as it’s less of a problem on the folding roof version, due to all the seals.
However, there should be a number of guides on YouTube and from what I remember, you are aiming for the gear lever when trying to insert.
Hope you get there in the end 
Honestly after 5 hours looking on YouTube and trying I cannot find the tubes…
Oh dear, I feel for you.
Maybe you could ask if there’s anyone near you, maybe in the same town that can help. For someone who has the knack, I’m sure it would only take a minute or two per side.
You aren’t alone, I couldn’t find mine on one side, I gave up until last year then I finally cracked it. The drains were running freely until last year one seemed to slow up. Must find out that entry point.
This is how I found the entry to the tube from the top.
If you prop open the hood so you can get a clear view of the drain point, then get your head in there and at the same time shine a torch (for better vision) and ease that plastic grill cover around a little. I found that if you look at the hole that you poke your brush down and forwards under the plastic you can make out the hole you should be hitting under there. Moving the plastic around helps you to see it.
Some may have found it easier than me or yourself, I can tell you now I found one side the other side was a doddle.
I have spent another couple of hours on YouTube and found a clip where the fella had removed the plastic tray to get to the tubes.
But he didn’t show how to remove those trays… Does anyone know ??
I have never had a problem feeding a trombone cleaner in through the hole, aiming at the gear lever. However as an alternative have a look at Keat63’s solution in the following thread.
Never push the cleaner up from the bottom you will force the one way flaps up and not allow the water to drain through or will stick open and allow road noise up into the car.
https://forum.mx5oc.co.uk/t/drain-hole-impossible-to-find-mk3/116323m
The forum won’t allow me to view that page. Says it’s for members and I have to login… Errr I am logged in.
Try searching the forum for drain hole impossible to find Mk3.
Keat63 suggests feeding the trombone cleaner down the gap shown by the blue arrow. Never tried it myself but others say it is easier than trying to feed through the hole circled in red.
