1997 MAZDA MX-5 oil dipstick

1. Drain engine coolant. Disconnect battery cable. Position No. 1 cylinder at TDC of compression stroke.
On Protege, remove right side cover and undercover.
2. On Miata, remove air cleaner intake duct from between throttle body and air cleaner/filter assembly. On
all models, remove upper radiator hose and by-pass hoses from thermostat housing.
3. Remove drive belts and water pump pulley. Remove power steering pump with hoses attached and secure
pump away from engine (if necessary). Remove timing belt, tensioner and idler. See TIMING BELT.
4. Unbolt water inlet pipe from water pump. Water pump inlet pipe has lower radiator hose and by-pass pipe
attached to it. Remove bolts from water pump. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolt to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
OIL PAN
Removal & Installation (Miata)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain engine oil. Remove dipstick, tube and "O" ring. Raise vehicle on
hoist. Remove engine undercover. Disconnect steering column shaft at steering rack coupling. See Fig.
14 . Remove engine mount nuts. Lift and support engine using jack.
2. Support crossmember using transmission jack and remove crossmember bolts. Slowly and carefully lower
crossmember until clearance between oil pan and steering rack is about 4 inches. Remove oil pan bolts
from engine block and transmission.
3. DO NOT damage sealant contact surfaces. Remove oil pan by prying between oil pan and transmission
support. Remove oil pan baffle by prying it from engine. See Fig. 14
. DO NOT deform oil pan baffle.
Replace oil pan baffle if deformed. Clean sealant from oil pan, bolts, engine block and both sides of oil
pan baffle.
4. To install, apply oil resistant sealant to engine block and oil pan. Install oil pan baffle and oil pan within 5
minutes of applying sealant. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Fill engine with oil to specification. See ENGINE
LUBRICATION SYSTEM under ENGINE OILING. NOTE: For further information on cooling systems, see SPECIFICATIONS & ELECTRIC
COOLING FANS article in ENGINE COOLING.
NOTE: On Miata, engine must be supported in order to remove oil pan.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
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OIL PUMP
Removal & Disassembly
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove dipstick, tube and "O" ring. Drain engine oil and coolant.
Remove drive belts, crankshaft and water pump pulleys. Remove generator, A/C compressor and
mounting bracket. Without disconnecting A/C hoses, secure A/C compressor away from engine. Remove
timing belt and related components. See TIMING BELT
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
2. Hold crankshaft sprocket in place and remove crankshaft sprocket bolt. Remove crankshaft sprocket
using steering wheel puller. Leave crankshaft Woodruff key in place.
3. Remove oil pan and oil pump pick-up tube. See OIL PAN
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
Remove oil pump housing assembly. Using a screwdriver protected with a rag, drive oil seal out from
inside of oil pump housing assembly.
4. Remove pump cover screws (use a manual impact screwdriver, if necessary). See Fig. 22
. Remove pump
cover. Note location of alignment marks on inner and outer rotors. Remove inner and outer rotors. To
remove pressure relief valve, remove spring seat, pressure spring and control plunger.
Inspection
Replace pressure relief valve spring if length is not as specified. See OIL PUMP SPECIFICATIONS. Ensure
plunger slides freely in bore. Replace oil pump housing assembly if clearances are not as specified. See OIL
PUMP SPECIFICATIONS .
Reassembly & Installation
1. Apply oil to friction surfaces. Install inner and outer rotors with marks aligned. See Fig. 23 . Install
pressure relief valve components. Apply oil to lip of NEW oil seal. Press oil seal into bore until even with
face of oil pump housing assembly.
2. Install pump cover. Tighten screws to 53-78 INCH lbs. (6-9 N.m). To complete installation, reverse
removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
OIL PUMP SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationW/O Filter Qts. (L)W/Filter Qts. (L)
Miata & Protege3.8 (3.6)4.0 (3.8)
ApplicationMaximum Clearance In. (mm)
Maximum Rotor Tip Clearance (1) .0079 (.20)
Maximum Rotor-To-Pump Body Clearance (2) .0079 (.20)
Maximum Rotor Side Clearance (3) .0055 (.14)
Pressure Relief Spring Free Length1.809 (45.94)
(1)See Fig. 23 .
(2)Insert feeler gauge between outer rotor and pump body.
Place straightedge across pump body and check clearance between straightedge and both rotors.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
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FLUID CAPACITIES
FLUID CAPACITIES
WHEEL & TIRE SPECIFICATIONS
WHEEL TIGHTENING
Tighten wheel lug nuts to 65-87 ft. lbs. (88-118 N.m).
BATTERY SPECIFICATIONS
Vehicle is equipped with a special 9 9/16" x 4 3/4" x 7 3/8" 12-volt battery that is vented to outside of vehicle.
CAUTIONS & WARNINGS
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG)
Modifications or improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation of the Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS), can adversely affect system performance. DO NOT cover, obstruct or change the
steerin
g wheel horn pad in any way, as such action could cause improper function of the system. Use only plain
(1)Energy conserving oils are recommended, API classification SG", "SH".
ItemConditionSpecification (1)
Engine OilDrained, With Filter4.0 Qts. (3.8L)
Engine OilDrained3.8 Qts. (3.6L)
Engine CoolantDrained6.3 Qts. (6.0L)
Automatic Transaxle FluidCapacity7.1 Qts. (6.7L)
Manual Transaxle FluidCapacity2.1 Qts. (2.0L)
Rear Axle OilCapacity1.1 Qts. (l.0L)
A/C RefrigerantEvacuated1 lb. 3.4 oz. (0.6kg)
Fuel TankCapacity12.6 Gal. (48.0L)
(1)Capacities are recommended or calculated levels. Always use dipstick (if available) to measure level.
CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicles equipped with computers may
lose memory data. When battery power is restored, driveability problems
may exist on some vehicles. These vehicles may require a relearn
procedure. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in the
GENERAL INFORMATION Section.
NOTE: See the AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in the ACCESSORIES/SAFETY
EQUIPMENT Section.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAINTENANCE INFORMATION 1997 MAINTENANCE Mazda Maintenance Information
Microsoft
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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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