Poor clutch :(

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
2

Hi, I have recently purchased a 1998 mk2 Roadster.

Upon taking delivery of the car I noticed the clutch has a very high biting point. It also slips when pulling off up steep hills say at about 2000rpm.

The car has a full service history and a new clutch was fitted a day before I took ownership of the vehicle.

It has since been bled, and all fluid levels checked.

Could it be the clutch needs bedding in or is the clutch fitted a cheapy clutch and maybe I should fit a sachs high performance clutch? The car is only a 1600cc, but has a full stainless steel exhaust fitted from front to rear.

Any advice/suggestions welcomed, thanks in advance.

3

G’day mate, Welcome to the Forum

First the 1.6 Mk2 doesn’t need a heavy duty clutch, the standard one fitted by Mazda is fine for every day use.,

Secondly, the fact that it’s slipping says to me that the flywheel may be glazed over after repeated overheating by the previous owner, hence the new clutch being fitted. I would take it straight back to whoever fitted the clutch, demonstrate the problem and suggest, politely, that they fix it!!!

 

4

It could also be that something was spilt on the new clutch and it does not grip, or even was not fitted right.

Regardless, I’d be taking it back to the place you bought it (assuming it was a dealer), or the place the clutch was fitted, as Geoff said.

5

Update… Car has since had another new clutch fitted, and up till now is performing well.

The garage put the old clutch being poor down to a contaminated clutch???

 

6

Just about the only thing a clutch can get contaminated with, is oil from the rear crank seal. The garage should have spotted that when the gearbox was out, they only cost a few quid and take 2 mins to swop

7

Just out of interest how much is a new Clutch for the MK1 1.6? Mine is slipping?

8

 
Try here £78.46 - not too tricky…

9

Good price but I will need to pay for it fiiting as i’m non mechanical,

Just spent £450 on her so whats another £100 or so

10

Just make sure if you buy a clutch you get a import matching clutch and not a british clutch, they are different!

11

 
That’s a new one!!!
What on earth is the difference? Please explain?------
I’ve just fitted an Australian clutch to my Uk grey import exported here to Australia, no difference at all!!-------------

12

I thought that when I was told today. They are different as in the material and thickness which will have an effect on the biting point and life of the clutch itself.

13

 I replaced the original clutch in my Roadster after 200k kms. Nothing actually wrong with it, but I was having a new engine fitted anyhow. Maybe the Roadster clutches last longer.[^o)]

14

 I’ve looked in the Miata parts catalogue and the Russian one that our Israeli friend posted and both have the same part numbers for the cover and friction plate. Sorry guys, but I don’t think that the roadsters were fitted with a different clutch to the UK cars
 
 
Unless, of course, someone can prove differently [;)]

15

I had everything accessible changed with the new clutch kit - rear engine oil seal, both gearbox oil seals (the front one is under a cover which needs a new gasket), selector fork clutch boot, slave cylinder and, of course, the £3 spigot bearing that caused the trouble in the first place.