Mazda Protegé

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Comments

  • fritz1224fritz1224 Member Posts: 398
    What is the deal with this timing belt thing? Why in the hell does it matter where the car was registered when determining the replacement interval? How can that make a difference in the wear rate? I just don't get it. Enlighten me please. My Honda says 105k with no consideration as to what state it was registered in. What is Mazda trying to pull? And are you sure the 1.8 is a non-interference engine?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I believe it has to do with state laws. Some states have laws that require certain systems of cars to be maintenance free for a certain period of time. In my owner's manual, I believe it recommends timing belt replacement at 60K if you live in a cold climate.
  • fritz1224fritz1224 Member Posts: 398
    I live in Ky. Not exactly a cold state, but 60k replacement would apply for me also. Just went to the gates site and they indicate the 1.8 is not an interference engine. They do have 2 listings for the 99-00 1.8. They both use the same part no. and one is 60k and one is 105k. Knowing damage won't be done if it breaks, I don't think I'll worry too much about doing a 60k job if the exact same belt is made to last 105k. Assuming, of course, I will even have the car at 60k. At 7500/yr , 8 yrs is a long time to stay with this car.
    Also noticed the 2.0 is an interference engine with just 105k replacement required. Found a post from posse group saying this was incorrect. Back in June and supposedly gates was going to correct this. Haven't got to it yet it looks like.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    So 2.0L engine would NOT be damaged if the timing belt breaks?

    The car would just stall?

    Reason why I'm asking is b/c there's a big difference b/w 100kms and 160kms in a car's lifespan and I will keep this PRO for a long time and need it to be running 100% of that time with no problems.

    Do you have a link that explains this?

    Dinu
  • fritz1224fritz1224 Member Posts: 398
    An interference engine would be damaged if belt breaks. Gates site says 2.0 is interference. Someone posted they contacted gates and gates said this was wrong and they would correct. That was in June. Apparently they haven't corrected it yet. Or it is correct as stated. Or, nobody really knows. Take your pick. Go to gates.com and look around. I had a hard time finding it there. Ended up using google with search words "interference engine" I believe. Good luck.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I've also heard that gates is incorrect. I don't think the 2.0L is an interference engine. If it's an interference engine, when the belt breaks, the valves will smash into the tops of the pistons and you will probably mess up the whole valve train and head. The Protege should just stall. I'm gonna do it anyway at 60K just because I can get it done cheap and I don't want to be stranded anywhere.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    We already go over this topic before and that's what I understand (and firmly believe, thanks to a confirmation from Mazda).

    Bruno
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    Darren (dsm6) wrote:

    [ I just emailed Mazda USA. This is there response (straight from the source, not second hand from a different company):

    "With regard to your inquiry, the 2.0L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine equipped in your 2002 Mazda Protegé is a non-interfering engine." ]
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Mazda ain't as dumb as Toyota.

    Meade
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Of course, they're a bit less efficient than interference engines as they can't achieve as high a compression ratio and/or limit the ability to vent exhaust fumes.

    I still prefer a non-interference design as the consequences of a failed or incorrectly adjusted timing mechanism are less costly. I'll give up a mpg or two for that myself. :)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Toyota's engines are also non-interference. Honda's aren't.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    That's surprising...
  • protegextwoprotegextwo Member Posts: 1,265
    Really?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I think most Honda engines are interference. I don't know about Toyota, but they may make some interference engines also. I don't like having to rely on a piece of rubber to keep my engine safe from total disaster.
  • dsm6dsm6 Member Posts: 813
    Anyone know how many Proteges Mazda sells in the US per year? TIA
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    83,367 in 2002
    78,688 in 2001
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    In my experience the timing belt will give you adequate warning it's about to go. And you should have it inspected at certain intervals. It could break but it probably won't. Just like a tire can fall off but chances are it won't.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "In my experience the timing belt will give you adequate warning it's about to go."

    Huh? I know three people who have had timing belts go on them and there was no warning at all. What kind of warning do you expect? There is no timing belt "light" on your dashboard. What if the timing belt tensioner suddenly craps out and the belt starts slipping teeth? No warning for that. What if the belt just snaps along a stress/age crack? No warning for that. The only kind of warning I can think of is if the timing belt starts fraying. It will make noise, but by the time it starts making noise, it could go at any time. How many people know what that sounds like?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    tensioners tend to give warning as the bearing goes, but as Todd said, unless the belt is fraying, it doesn't give any. The most common problems I've seen are a failed tensioner or an older belt that sheds its teeth around the crank pulley (where the most stress is). When you loose teeth there is rarely any audible sign.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I had a 90 Integra that I bought with 130,000 miles or so on it. Noticed the engine was running rough and making a "gurgling" noise. Took it to get the CV axles done with the intention of getting the timing belt done the next week. Didn't make it that long. Soon as we replaced the belt no rough engine and no gurgling. Luckily there was no engine damage so all we were out is the cost of the belt. Newer Hondas have switched to a timing chain though.

    It's very unlikely the belt will break before the scheduled replacement though. My friend has a 98 Civic with 110,000+ on it with the original belt, my mother-in-law has a 93 Accord with 140,000 on the original belt, and our other friend had a 91 Accord with 125,000 on it without changing the belt. Now me personally, I'm changing that belt at 90,000 miles and every 60,000 thereafter.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Wear is also dependent on weather. I'm pretty sure you're supposed to replace the belt sooner if you live in extreme cold weather (as I unfortunately do...-30 C today :( ).
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    Thanks for the tips. I checked on upgrading to Netscape 7.0 this afternoon. Not enough memory installed. Will have to leave it as is for a while until I can canabalize the RAM out of the PM8500 and upgrade to OS 9.1.

    I did defrag my hard disk and it speeded the PM7300 up greatly: now I can load Edmunds pages in 1-minute instead of 4-minutes.

    Mac mice are one button. Control key rarely used.

    Glad you guys got the tire pressure worked out. For a minute there I thought I would have to drive to Nags Head (sea level) to add air. LOL!

    Welcome Zoomlady!

    Big_h_kool, this old Mac runs fine, it's a real workhorse. It's been online every day, for at least 6 hours a day, and done other work, for five years! How many PC's hold up that long?

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    thanks to Canada, or is it Siberria? Brrrr. Record lows for NC predicted. Bet Meade doesn't get to work tomorrow. It's going to be hard to type with gloves on. It was 55F (12C) yesterday -- tomorrow it will be 10F in the morning. Tip and I are putting on our long johns.

    fowler3
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    We haven't had much snow here in Minneapolis, but it sure is cold. Right now, it's zero with a -20F windchill. Tommorow morning when I wake up, it's supposed to be -14F with a -32F windchill. Why was I born here? Any place where you can die if you don't find shelter is bad. It's so cold that it burns your skin. The Protege doesn't like it, but I'm doing my best to keep it happy with synthetic motor and tranny oil.
  • kaiserheadkaiserhead Member Posts: 166
    Yeah, its cold here in Florida too, its dipping down to 40 degrees tomorrow, might have to wipe the dew off the windows and use the rear window defroster to defog the rear window!!!!
  • chicagoprochicagopro Member Posts: 1,009
    Twenty below windchill here, too.

    So what constitutes a "hard start," and when should I begin worrying about the battery?

    The last couple of mornings, the Protege has been a little reluctant to start. I don't think it's too dramatic...instead of "rrr, rrr, vroom" it's "rrr, rrr, rrr, rrr, rrr, vroom."

    If that makes any sense.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    car's been struggling to get started these past 2 days. In 'normal' condition the car should fire up after couple turns, any more than that and it's considered hard start

    I think when I tried to start the car this afternoon coming home, it turned at least 7-8 times before firing up.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    And yeah, it's been pretty chilly here too (-15C w/windchill -30C or so). The PRO starts well after 3-4 cranks and she sleeps outside. I need to go buy myself a better tuque - my existing one is fine for 0C, but is subpar when it comes to REAL cold weather like this.

    BTW, it's -17C now.

    Dinu
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    7-8 times? Mine never took that long. Was it sitting for a little without being driven? If my car sat for a day or 2 without being driven, then it would take about that long to crank.

    I just turn the key now and the engine picks right up. Not even three cranks sometimes. It was 14 degrees this morning when I got into the car. Thank God for heated seats!
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    We had about 4 inches in the triangle. Protege5 is snug at home in the garage. Lot's of idiots on the roads (or most likely gone off the roads) in rwd sports cars. Most businesses are opening a couple hours late today. I guess people around here are either getting used to the winter weather or are sick of losing money to it.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Closing stores and shorter business hours from 4" of snow? HA HA HA HA HA (yes I'm done now)

    The PRO, like most FWD cars does well in snow - as long as it doesn't float on snow, everything's under control. It actually has a little too much torque for snow-covered roads, but I guess it's my lead foot, not the car's fault.

    Dinu
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    It took them over a week to dig out when we had 2 feet a few years ago. They just do not budget for the equipment to deal with this kind of weather. I never minded driving in the snow when I lived in upstate NY, but down here it can be deadly.
  • manavimanavi Member Posts: 150
    Does anyone here have any opinions on the Kumho 712 tires?

    I've been pretty satisfied with the Dunlop 5000's that came on my 2001 ES, but the lower price of the Kumho's is really tempting.

    Has anyone switched from the Dunlops to the Kumhos? Can you tell any difference?

    I have 35000 miles and I will probably have to replace the tires in the next few months. Down to 4/32.
  • Boris2Boris2 Member Posts: 177
    I got Kuhmo Tires after we manage to destroy the original potenza's by catching a nail in the side. I like them a lot. They have a good grip and relatively quite - at least as quite as it gets on Protege :-)
    Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact model # but I don't remember having a choice in that size.
    The only problem with them is they really suck a lot when it's slippery, but that's the case with all V-Rated tires. Just have to replace them with Winter tires in the fall.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Back in January of 99 Toronto got a good 2 feet or more of snow within less than 48 hrs. and guess who was called in? The Canadian army!!! Now that was "interesting to see" :)

    But overall we have lots of equipment. I too see people rear-ending each other way too often - how hard is it to brake earlier and keep your distance? I'm mainly afraid b/c I know my PRO can stop in time, but other drivers that don't pay attn. or keep a safe distance are a hazard. Saw a taxi with some $5000+ damage this morning rear-ended by a tahoe. Another reason I HATE trucks! They do so much more damage than a regualar car would. Of course the Tahoe was 100% ok, no scratches, nothing at all. Also saw a Sunfire in a snowbank, but that's another story.

    Dinu
  • stupidcarstupidcar Member Posts: 8
    I made an offer over the phone for a 2003 es with the moonroof/6 cd package of 15,500, and within 10 minutes they called me back and accepted the offer. the invoice price of this car is 15,770 so I am a little reluctant now to buy at 15500 since they seemed eager to sell at that price.. it seems like a good deal to me (270 under invoice) but is there something they arent telling me? if anyone could provide some assurance or explanation that would be great!!
  • browntroutbrowntrout Member Posts: 24
    In Montreal, we eat 2 feet of snow for breakfast! We were all making fun of Toronto that year:) You guys were jealous becuase we had the ice storm and stole the spotlight the year before *lol*.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    According to CarsDirect.com, an 03 Protege equipped exactly like yours is going for $15,032 in my zip code of 21230...
  • stupidcarstupidcar Member Posts: 8
    15,732 is the price on carsdirect.com for my zip code (97403).. i didnt know that region made such a difference, but still maybe i can get a lower price, although how would i negotiate something lower if they have already accepted my offer?
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Hey I remember that ice storm! Used to live in Mtl b/w 91-94 and we still have a lot of friends there. My dad actually lives there.

    Anyways, so far so good. The PRO has not exhibited any more pinging/knocking noises like it did in the first 20.000kms. Now at 50.000kms+, it starts well every morning (even in this horrible cold we had this week) and it does not ping/knock/rattle. I'm pretty relieved b/c at this time last year I was a little freaked out about those noises. Maybe the engine needed its 20.000kms break-in period? :)

    Dinu
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    It was 7 degrees here this morning when I went outside. It was also about 10 last night. I parked the car to go grocery shopping, and had to warm the car all over again when I came out of the store 45 minutes later...

    They said it's record cold and it hasn't been this cold in MD for the past 7 years. FL residents are also concerned, because the cold there is killing the orange crops.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    are you taking the dealer cash incentive or the 0% financing for 60 months???

    without knowing this information we can not determin if your getting a good deal or not.
  • boggseboggse Member Posts: 1,048
    I looked at the Kumhos for my 2001 ES. I decided not to get them since they were only H rated in 195/50R16 size and the OEM Dunlops were V rated. I decided to get Toyo Proxes T1-S instead. I know several people who have the Kumhos on Integras and like them, but in that size, they are V rated. In summer tires, there is nothing better than the Toyos IMO. In Alabama, you shouldn't need all-seasons.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    7 F was near a record low? That's only -13 C...the other night it was down to -41 C (-41.8 F) with the windchill. I need to move to warmer parts!!

    Even after plugging in the block heater of my Pro all night, it still started farily rough this morning (it was only about -21 C or -5.8 F). I had to crank it for a few seconds before he finally fired up. I hope this isn't indicative of a deeper problem...maybe I'm just being paranoid though. Ah well...zooms along real nicely when I got going though...and the Nokian NRW's handle great in this weather as well.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Wasn't there a coil pack recall, or did that not include your engine?
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    Since most of you are Protege "newbies" here, please allow me, the owner of four Proteges over the past 11-1/2 years, to educate you.

    :)

    Proteges notoriously start very slowly in cold weather ... but they always do, unless you've been through four winters (by my experience) and the original battery putters out. Yesterday morning was 7 here in Richmond, and this morning was 9. Both my 2000 ES and Tammy's 2002 Protege5 started V-E-R-Y slowly, taking about four revs of the starter to finally kick in. Mine was slightly slower than Tam's, and since this is my car's third winter and it's been a long, cold one so far, I have doubts as to whether the stock battery will make it through the next one.

    Of course, the moment the car starts, all is wonderful and zoomy. Except for the 5-speed gearbox, which takes a good few romps through the gears to loosen up and stop feeling like the gearbox is lubricated with molasses!

    Meade

    P.S. There was an interesting story on the local news last night saying how when it gets below the mid-teens, most car batteries lose about half their cranking power ... while simultaneously, the cars need about twice as much power than normal to start! I also remember seeing a Discovery Channel show on the building of the Alaska Pipeline, and they showed a huge shed full of dump trucks and tractors that were sitting there idling at midnight ... it was too risky to shut them off, they explained, because they might never start again!
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    Mine is a 2.0L engine...the recall only affected the 1.8L's. Interesting that Mazda actually put out a recall for that....I'll bet most people didn't even know why. OTHER companies should perhaps use this example and benefit from it instead of having irate customers knocking their dealerships down.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Member Posts: 2,405
    I was actually thinking of getting a battery blanket to help...I don't remember my Pro starting this sluggishly last year, but I can't say if it did or did not with certainty.

    Thanks for your advice, "Protege geezer."
  • mdaffronmdaffron Member Posts: 4,421
    I wear my banner with PRIDE!

    :)
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Totally agree. Other companies should do a recall. I got one coil replaced, and no problems in almost 6K miles. As long as mine's ok, that's all that matters to me in perspective.
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