1997 MAZDA MX-5 air bleeding

Remove rear seat cushions. Disconnect fuel pump connector. Start engine and allow to stall. After engine stalls,
attempt to restart engine to ensure no residual pressure exists. Turn ignition off and reconnect fuel pump
connector. When disconnecting fuel hoses, cover connection with shop rag to catch fuel leakage. To avoid
excessive cranking after servicing, prime fuel system before starting engine.
Priming System
Ensure fuel system is closed. Connect jumper wire between F/P and GND terminals of data link connector. See
Fig. 1
. Turn ignition on for about 10 seconds and check for fuel leaks. Turn ignition off and disconnect jumper
wire.
Fig. 1: Identifying Data Link Connector Terminals (Typical)

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
COOLING SYSTEM BLEEDING
1. Slowly pour coolant into radiator at a rate of 1.1 qt. (1.0L) per minute maximum until coolant is level
with filler port. Fill coolant reservoir to "F" mark. Securely install radiator cap. Start engine.
2. Operate engine at idle until normal operating temperature is reached. If coolant level warning light
illuminates during warm-up, turn engine off and check drain plug and coolant hoses for leaks. Operate
engine at 2200-2800 RPM for 5 minutes. Stop engine and allow to cool.
3. Repeat steps 1) and 2). Check coolant level. If engine coolant is not level with filler neck, repeat entire
procedure. If engine coolant is level with filler neck, fill reservoir to "F" mark.
CAUTION: If engine overheats during procedure, system contains excessive air. Stop
engine and allow it to cool, then repeat step 1).

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 2 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

differential housing block.
2. Tighten PPF/differential mounting spacer bolts to 28-38 ft. lbs. (38-52 N.m). See Fig. 4
. Install PPF to
differential. Hand-tighten long bolts. Ensure PPF-to-differential large shank reamer bolt and spacer are
properly installed.
3. When PPF is properly aligned between transmission and differential, tighten all long mounting bolts to
specification. Install rear transmission-to-PPF bracket and tighten to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS . To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Before installing M/T shift
lever, add gear oil to transmission through shifter hole. Fill all fluids to correct level. Prime fuel system
before attempting to start engine. See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING. Bleed cooling system.
See COOLING SYSTEM BLEEDING.
Fig. 4: Locating PPF
-To-Differential Reamer Bolt, Sleeve & Spacer
NOTE: Reamer bolt is the front long bolt attaching PPF to differential. This bolt
aligns PPF with drive train.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 6 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 5: Removing Engine Components (Protege)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
2. Lower vehicle. Remove air cleaner assembly. Remove battery/carrier assembly. Remove throttle cable
and air intake duct across radiator (if equipped).
3. Remove all drive belts. DO NOT disconnect power steering hoses or A/C compressor hoses. Unbolt
power steering pump and A/C compressor from engine, and wire aside.
4. Note locations and disconnect all necessary electrical connectors, ground wires, vacuum hoses, fuel
hoses, coolant hoses and control cables for engine removal.
5. Plug all fuel hoses to avoid leakage. Attach engine support bar or engine hoist to secure engine. Raise
vehicle. Disconnect exhaust manifold down pipe and exhaust brackets from engine. On A/T models,
remove shift control cable.
6. On M/T models, remove shift control linkage and extension bar. Remove clutch release cylinder and fluid
line bracket from transaxle housing, leaving fluid line connected to cylinder. Secure cylinder away from
transaxle.
7. On all models, remove transmission wiring harness connectors and speedometer cable. Remove axle shaft
nuts from hubs. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arms. Separate lower ball joints and steering
tie-rod ends from steering knuckles.
8. Pry axle shafts out of transaxle. Remove and discard circlip from axle shafts. For further information on
axle shafts, see appropriate article in DRIVE AXLES.
9. Remove transaxle mount nuts from crossmember and loosen crossmember bolts. See Fig. 6
. Lower
vehicle and attach engine hoist for engine removal. Remove engine front mount and transaxle top mount
from inner fender panels. Remove transaxle crossmember. Remove engine and transaxle assembly from
top of vehicle.
10. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specifications. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS . Fill all fluids to correct level. Prime fuel system before attempting to start engine.
See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING
. Bleed cooling system. See COOLING SYSTEM
BLEEDING.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 8 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

LUBRICATION
FLUID CAPACITY
POWER STEERING FLUID CAPACITY
FLUID TYPE
Dexron-II or Mazda M-III fluid is recommended for all models.
FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Check fluid level on oil pump dipstick (if equipped) or reservoir. Fluid should be between marks on level gauge
dipstick (if equipped) or reservoir. If fluid level is low, fill as necessary. Recheck fluid level. DO NOT overfill.
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING
1. Raise and support front of vehicle. With ignition off, turn steering wheel from lock to lock several times.
Check fluid level. Add fluid as necessary. Repeat procedure until fluid level no longer decreases.
2. Start engine and operate at idle. Turn steering wheel from lock to lock 5 times. Check fluid level. Add
fluid as necessary. Continue procedure until fluid is clear of air bubbles and does not decrease in level.
ADJUSTMENTS
PINION PRELOAD
Miata & Protege
1. Ensure steering rack is in center position. Using Protractor (49-D032-316 ) and a torque wrench, tighten
adjusting cover to 43 INCH lbs. (4.9 N.m), then loosen adjusting cover. See Fig. 2
. Repeat loosening and
ti
ghtening procedure 3 times. After tightening adjusting cover the third time, loosen adjusting cover 25
ApplicationQts. (L)
Miata & Protege.85 (.80)
MPV.95 (.90)
MX-3
4-Cylinder.85 (.80)
V61.27 (1.20)
Millenia, MX-6 & 6261.32 (1.25)
RX71.01 (.96)
9291.80 (1.70)
NOTE: Pinion preload should be checked when steering gear assembly has been
disassembled or overhauled. Check preload after steering gear assembly has
been reassembled, but tie rods have not yet been installed.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion
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