New to me NB Miata

Just picked up my first Miata last night. Drove it about an hour home on the highway, ran good. The car is in need of some work, brakes, timing belt, seals, gaskets, etc.

Also something weird was going on with the clutch, I was stopped at a light and had the car in first gear with the clutch depressed. While I was waiting for the light to turn green the clutch engaged first gear while I had the clutch depressed, when I took my foot off the brake it would start going. I am guessing this is a problem with the master cylinder and/or slave?

Any suggestions on that?

Likely a leaking clutch slave cylinder. Replace the master and slave, they're cheap and easy.

Congrats on drinking the punch!

Sounds like you have a leaky clutch master, slave, or flex line.

Most likely the slave, the masters are less problematic. Easy to check, pull the boot back on the slave and check for fluid. If yes, time for a new slave.

When working on the slave cylinder, make sure you have your forearms well covered. The body seam near there, if you are operating from above, can really take some skin with it.

It's easier to either go in through the wheel well or from the bottom. I think I usually go from underneath.

alfadriver wrote: When working on the slave cylinder, make sure you have your forearms well covered. The body seam near there, if you are operating from above, can really take some skin with it.

On the other hand, it's very accessible from below. Almost too easy.

EDIT: ...and there's Keith's stamp of approval.

Is there a how to on this somewhere? I have never done anything with the clutch before.

http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4515&parentid=0&stocknumber=46-86000

Disconnect the clutch line, remove two bolts, discard old slave, reassemble with the new one and bleed as necessary. I'd check/adjust the pedal as well.

http://www.miata.net/garage/slavecyl.html

http://www.miata.net/garage/adjust_clutch/index.html

Edit: buy Keith's book though. Seriously, that's money well spent!

Keith wrote: http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4515&parentid=0&stocknumber=46-86000

Already have it, I guess I will have to read to see what is in there.

I own the book Keith wrote and I will attest to it being worth the money spent.

Actually, it's one of three to do with the Miata. But if you want to know how to change a clutch slave, it's the one to have. Like a parachute and a mind, it only works when it's open

Confucius once said or was it Keith that wrote: Like a parachute and a mind, it only works when it's open

+1 for Keith's book too.

Keith wrote: It's easier to either go in through the wheel well or from the bottom. I think I usually go from underneath.

I was lazy, and wanted it done without sitting on the ground (it was winter). I'm not a fan of lying on my back to do work, so try to avoid it at all costs.