Clearing Clogged MX-5 Miata ND Convertible Drains

If your car's floorboard are still filling up with water after cleaning your drain filters like my car was doing, hopefully this video helps you. I show you the only drain access hole I could find to clear the debris that clogged my drain.
Miata ND MX-5 mk4 Drain Filter Cleaning
• Miata ND MX-5 mk4 Drai...
Thank you DVS_Dex for the following suggestion:
When you pull out the back panel, look on the back wall closer to the floors there is a service hole big enough for you to get your whole hand through and you’ll see the bottom of that drain. You can pull it out and clean it out instead of fishing a wire through that hole at the top.
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Пікірлер: 74

  • @DvsDex
    @DvsDex3 жыл бұрын

    When you pull out the back panel, look on the back wall closer to the floors there is a service hole big enough for you to get your whole hand through and you’ll see the bottom of that drain. You can pull it out and clean it out instead of fishing a wire through that hole at the top.

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great tip!!! Thank you. I could add this info to the description if I had all the details.

  • @RJMarkey

    @RJMarkey

    3 жыл бұрын

    How does that botton drain hose pull out?

  • @JonathanCastillo-wg7yk

    @JonathanCastillo-wg7yk

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@RJMarkey wondering the same thing! I have opened it up enough to see the bright orange painted plastic bottom of the drain. I've tugged on it a little but havent figured out how to free it completely and dont want to break something

  • @FuminFireUK

    @FuminFireUK

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@profrobbob Hi mate. Did you manage to get a picture of this service hole you can fit your hand in at all? I'm having to do some fishing tomorrow as my ND passenger is filling with water and would rather not use the rod method (but I will of I have to!) Cheers Rob 😄

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    2 жыл бұрын

    @DVSDex any possible feedback to the questions that followed your comment a year ago?! I have never known any other way and have not pulled the panel off again on mine. Someone found a bright orange painted plastic bottom but wasn't sure if that was it, how hard to pull so as NOT to break anything?!

  • @andrewbarton-willson495
    @andrewbarton-willson495 Жыл бұрын

    MX5ND2 Thank you for your videos. As a result of viewing them and reading the comments I was able to complete these tasks and learn a lot in the process. 1. The hole behind the seat belt may be covered by a centre pull stud (same as those that hold the plastic panels on) 2. The one- ended trombone can be fished or fiddled down the hole but there are a couple of obstructions that make it hard to get it all through 3. Prising off the large circular stud (one of two low down in the panel behind the seat) allows access to an oval cover labelled out with an arrow pointing to the side of the car. On the other side is a catch which can be released with a short flat bladed screwdriver slid in horizontally along the axis of the ‘out arrow’ from the inboard side of the cover. 4. Reach in behind the cover and prise the white plastic tube off the vertical surface (there is one small lug held in a notch which holds the tube in place). Once the tube was held vertically I found I could fiddle the trombone cleaner right down and out through the sidewall. UPDATE: The passenger side is slightly different. The white flexible tube - that runs right down to the outfall on the vertical surface tucked in just in front of the rear wheel - terminates in an orange section (on the driver’s side it is white all through) which I found to be clipped in very firmly and I didn’t want to break it. Fortunately with a lot of fiddling I got the trombone cleaner to go all the way through and then I could pull it through easily from below). Having done this once on both sides of the car - and found no obstructions or detritus- I plan to check the filter cage and sponge regularly but use the trombone cleaner less frequently so long as the water flows through to the ground.

  • @sisyphus1811
    @sisyphus18112 жыл бұрын

    I am incredibly grateful to you for this - I would never have worked this out myself. Ridiculous drain system! After weeks of struggle with my Fiat 124 Spider (same hood and drain mechanism) filling with water every rainstorm, now safe and dry. Thanks a lot!

  • @NoahBB
    @NoahBB3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Prof, it's so funny how the world works! I used your videos throughout university to study and was able to land a great finance career because of my grades (helped by you and your videos, no doubt) and because of that I was able to comfortably purchase new 2021 ND (GS-P aka Club trim) soft top this past spring. Thank you for helping out a fellow enthusiast!

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    2 жыл бұрын

    You are awesome and just made my day!!! Congratulations on earning your degree and landing a job that you love. I am honored I could help a little bit through my KZread channel, but you did all of the hard work and found extra resources when needed. I still have my Miata and love it. It is so much fun… even though I cannot help but constantly annoy my wonderful wife dreaming about other cars. But looking is free😂🤣👨‍🏫. 24,000 miles later it still drives like new and my smile is just as big when I get a little crazy in it🏎🚙.

  • @johnkavanagh3670
    @johnkavanagh36703 жыл бұрын

    Mud plug. That’s what I had. Not the drain hose blocked but rather the flap on the outlet under the car was jammed shut due to a mud plug. Spent hours pulling out panels the trying to get something down the drain tube. Eventually got my air line in enough to give it a blast. Lying under the car was a mud plug which the air had popped out. Felt around underneath and found the drain outlet and could press on the soft flat. Squirted water into the hole and came straight out the bottom. Next time I first look underneath and with a power washer give a clean around the outlet. No more pulling panels out for me. My tip start underneath with a hose. The outlet is just ahead of the rear wheel inboard 14 inches or thereabouts.

  • @rigrentals5297
    @rigrentals52974 жыл бұрын

    I bet you saved a lot of money doing the job yourself. Good on you Professor.

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes. It is crazy the dealer wanted to charge me a diagnostic fee to do what should be a maintenance item. So now I am trying to help others save money, and the small amount of ad revenue is a nice gift in return:)

  • @PinChE_LoCo
    @PinChE_LoCo Жыл бұрын

    You have saved me some serious trouble.

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    Жыл бұрын

    Happy to help...I couldn't find any, even from the dealer when my wife stepped into the passengers seat and the floor was wet :(

  • @AlumarsX
    @AlumarsX4 жыл бұрын

    If you still have the GWR SSST exhaust installed, could you upload a video with in cabin sound on how the sound settled after a few thousand miles?

  • @mikeb9569
    @mikeb95693 жыл бұрын

    Weed wacker string might work better. I suggest only running the wire/string down from the top since earlier generations had one way valves that could be damaged by going against the normal flow.

  • @brucecurrie6913
    @brucecurrie69132 жыл бұрын

    Thanks. Have you figured the correct procedure for removing the orange/black drain pipe for cleaning...once the large plastic access cover's been removed? Seems the way to go...

  • @MrThebeast115
    @MrThebeast1154 жыл бұрын

    This is a very common issue with convertibles. Thanks for sharing :)

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for watching and commenting:)

  • @seanwoodcock7840
    @seanwoodcock784011 ай бұрын

    Trombone brush/ cleaner works well also. First used on my nc2, just used it on my wifes '17 RF. On the RF, you dont even need to remove interior trim pieces.

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    10 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the suggestion. Glad to hear the RF is a bit easier.

  • @shugd3
    @shugd33 жыл бұрын

    Just had my RF flood, made myself some filters to sit in the side scoops, hopefully this will prevent this from happening again 🥴🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • @nitronixus9402

    @nitronixus9402

    2 жыл бұрын

    Can we get further information? Thanks.

  • @zedali2579
    @zedali2579 Жыл бұрын

    Can you get to the filters once the panels you've just removed are off?

  • @jpg7341
    @jpg73414 жыл бұрын

    Jesus Prof you’re out here living

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    Life can't be all about teaching..but 75% certainly is:)

  • @ckyliu
    @ckyliu3 жыл бұрын

    Just wish I'd seen this second video before I put the car all back together, never mind, hopefully I've fixed it coming in from the bottom with some wire

  • @anesuify
    @anesuify4 жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you:)

  • @Randmness
    @Randmness4 жыл бұрын

    There is an access port behind the seat that gives you access to the tubing that funnels the water to under the car. Ive cleaned this out before on my ND, but I havent tried fishing wire up to the junction point shown in this video. It may give you better access to clear this point.

  • @LuisMiranda-go7kx

    @LuisMiranda-go7kx

    2 жыл бұрын

    Mine is fixed on the hole and cannot be moved. How did you do it?

  • @marmac567
    @marmac5673 ай бұрын

    You can get drain cleaner fluid which disolves organic matter, , syringe it down that hole and leave it to do it's work

  • @terrulian
    @terrulian2 жыл бұрын

    The Miata is a car designed by very clever folks, except for the dude that engineered this little nightmare. Could they have made it a little less difficult? Does it not rain in Japan?

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    2 жыл бұрын

    Maybe all of the cars in Japan are parked in garages?! It took me a long time to figure out anyway to unclog my drains without paying the dealer a diagnostic fee…. REALLY LOL. Since then I have been checking my filter boxes every six months and clearing out any debris with no clogging issues since. I hope is stays that way! My car is still parked outside with multiple oak trees in close proximity. Keep cleaning those filters!

  • @terrulian

    @terrulian

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@profrobbob Yep, moi aussi. It has stopped raining here (San Francisco area) and so I've been lacking the motivation to resolve this issue, but I really appreciate your help.

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@terrulian happy to help:)

  • @jaybd9329
    @jaybd93295 ай бұрын

    What about using compressed air instead of a wire? Just attach a small clear plastic tube to the end of the air compressor nozzle and blow it out.

  • @marmac567
    @marmac5673 ай бұрын

    Just vacuum clean the hood/body interface area regularly, that's where the debris sits first,, if you let it get to the catch basket you loose,

  • @andreibonteanu3655
    @andreibonteanu36554 жыл бұрын

    What ended up coming out of the hole, or did you notice it punctured or went through debris that was clogged?

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    The wire broke up the debris so it washed out to the ground below the car when I ran water through the pipes. A lot is Miata owners buy trombone cleaners on Amazon which I may also purchase now. But I am not sure if it will fit through the tiny hole or hold a curve to be able to fish it through all the plastic while also curving under the seatbelt. If a trombone cleaner does work it would be more gentle to any non corrosive finish may be inside the drain tubes... if they are metal ?

  • @nawmean

    @nawmean

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@profrobbob Did you have any issues running the trombone brush cleaner down the drain?

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@nawmean sorry, no experience because I did NOT use a trombone brush:(

  • @22jeepmojave75
    @22jeepmojave754 ай бұрын

    I sold my mx5 for sti and I missed the car so I planned to buy one more this year. After this video, I will passed.

  • @TheGeraldpenangzaii
    @TheGeraldpenangzaii2 жыл бұрын

    How do you remove the plastic trim on top of the drain hole?

  • @andrewbarton-willson495

    @andrewbarton-willson495

    Жыл бұрын

    On mine it is the same type of circular clip that holds all the other panels in. Just use a small screwdriver or finger nail and pull out the centre first then lift out

  • @zmohp.2060
    @zmohp.20603 жыл бұрын

    If you use a trombone brush, will it go through all the way to the ground?

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm not sure...I heard it works on older models but never tried one myself:(

  • @seanwoodcock7840

    @seanwoodcock7840

    11 ай бұрын

    2 years late, yes it does. Although, it takes a lot of twisting and shoving to get past the final drain cover underneath.

  • @erichancock4618
    @erichancock46184 жыл бұрын

    Instead of that wire, what about blowing some air through there?

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    If you have a way to try that I could see that working:) Let me know if it does!

  • @schla66
    @schla666 ай бұрын

    This isn't correct for a 2017 nd. There is not one hole. The filter is on top of a plastic enclosed trough amd I don't see such a hole. Seems best to open up the trough amd find where it drains. Seems like a plug at the end of the drain may actually be the issue. Can't find this hole

  • @josephbasha1926
    @josephbasha19264 жыл бұрын

    BAM!! YOU'RE BACC

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    I want to make a lot more math videos, but my time is taking up doing solutions in two new math books our county bought recently.

  • @wc8245
    @wc82453 жыл бұрын

    My one has a trim clip there....no hole

  • @LuisMiranda-go7kx

    @LuisMiranda-go7kx

    2 жыл бұрын

    same

  • @andrewbarton-willson495

    @andrewbarton-willson495

    Жыл бұрын

    Yep - pull out the clip and you’ll find the hole

  • @Audit-The-Auditors
    @Audit-The-Auditors24 күн бұрын

    Complete and utter lunacy.

  • @maxamedaxmedn6380
    @maxamedaxmedn63804 жыл бұрын

    But i don't have a car so

  • @thebusinessend1
    @thebusinessend13 жыл бұрын

    jeez this makes me not want to buy a ND miata now. great video though

  • @willburrito9710
    @willburrito9710 Жыл бұрын

    This is the worst farking design I’ve ever seen or had to deal with. I had so much water in the truck and under the seats. I made the mistake the other night of leaving the windows shut, and when I woke up the next morning I had about a millimeter of frost on the INSIDE of the windscreen. I’m selling this fun car asap. Dealer wants 300$ to take it apart and clean.

  • @Unclebrud

    @Unclebrud

    Жыл бұрын

    No kidding! You figure most owners will run into this. At least Mazda should explain how to deal with this. Mine just started taking on water.

  • @jamesdonnell3288
    @jamesdonnell32882 жыл бұрын

    Very Bad design unless you have tiny tiny hands there is almost no way to do this. I sucked almost a gallon of water out from under the passengers seat. Next time this fills up, and it well, I'm just gonna drill a hole to let that water out. it should be simple.

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    2 жыл бұрын

    Since clearing the filters the first time I have been checking them every 6 months. I not had any more problems with the drains clogging thankfully and my car is parked outside. I agree the design needs to be more owner friendly.

  • @dhess34
    @dhess344 жыл бұрын

    Calculus AND Miata’s?! We were likely separated at birth ... and 15 years. #NBgang

  • @profrobbob

    @profrobbob

    4 жыл бұрын

    I am so happy to meet my long lost brother:D:D:D BAM!