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Mazda Protege Maintenance and Repair

3738 messages,  Last post on Apr 23, 2013 at 10:59 AM

You are in the Mazda Protege Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda Protege, Sedan

Messages Page 344 of 375

#3422 of 3738 Re: Acceleration problems... [NJStylee] by bdkay

Jan 04, 2009 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: NJStylee (Jan 04, 2009 5:16 pm)
My 2003 Mazda Protege (manual transmission) did not present with acceleration problems but it did have the check engine light come on for 2 years before the problem was nailed down.
 
All the stuff you are talking about is good stuff to do. We had all that and more done. At the end the car was really sucking gas - do you have the problem - and running rough. If yours is doing the same have the fuel injectors checked as this was the final solution to our problem. One bum injector and possibley three more. Mechanics also asked if we had been using cheap gas as that will gum up an injector. Have you been using cheap gas?
 
 Five months later and the car is running like a young hot rod after the repair. Good luck and let me know.

#3423 of 3738 Protege 5 2002 - Temp Gauge Goes to H When I Drive by cindyhale

Jan 09, 2009 (7:31 am)

I read in this forum about another situation where a Mazda was running hot but there wasn't a post where it was mentioned exactly what had caused the problem or how to fully resolve it, so I am asking for help in that regard.
 
PROBLEM:
The guage on my car will go to H (all the way up) UNLESS I am running my heater all the way on 4. The mechanic says I have no radiator issues, fan issues, or gasket issues. He says "the thermometer might be sticking". Does that sound right? If it was "sticking", wouldn't it stay "stuck" instead of moving up only when the car is moving? I am worried that I am somehow damaging my car by continuing to drive it while that needle is on H.
 
QUESTIONS:
If anyone else has this problem and have continued to drive on H, has it damaged your car?
 
If it actually "stuck" how can I get it fixed so it works properly? The mechanic didn't offer any options there.
 
Thank you,
CH

#3424 of 3738 Re: Protege 5 2002 - Temp Gauge Goes to H When I Drive [cindyhale] by autonomous

Jan 09, 2009 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: cindyhale (Jan 09, 2009 7:31 am)
If it actually "stuck" how can I get it fixed so it works properly? The mechanic didn't offer any options there.
 
Curious. Didn't the mechanic suggest a new thermostat? You may want to take it to another garage for a second opinion.

#3425 of 3738 Re: 2000 Pro Passenger's feet are freezing! [spetz] by downtube

Jan 11, 2009 (2:37 am)

Replying to: spetz (Jan 02, 2009 10:38 am)
spetz, this is a known problem that can be fixed. there is a mazda TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). I suggest taking it to a reputable shop who has access to mazda TSBs, or to a dealer. I recall there are DIY instructions online somewhere if you're so inclined.

#3426 of 3738 Re: Protege 5 2002 - Temp Gauge Goes to H When I Drive [cindyhale] by downtube

Jan 11, 2009 (2:47 am)

Replying to: cindyhale (Jan 09, 2009 7:31 am)
I suspect your mechanic is right.
 
You're right to be concerned about driving when the temperature is H. Don't do it!
 
Have the thermostat replaced, it should not be expensive. A new thermostat is <$20, some coolant will need to be replaced, and <1 hour labor.

#3427 of 3738 Re: 2000 Pro Passenger's feet are freezing! [downtube] by spetz

Jan 11, 2009 (10:43 am)

Replying to: downtube (Jan 11, 2009 2:37 am)
Hey, thanks a lot! I will look to the DIY first. If you have a clue where to find instructions, plz let me know. My passenger and I thank you...

#3428 of 3738 Re: 2000 Pro Passenger's feet are freezing! [spetz] by downtube

Jan 11, 2009 (10:04 pm)

Replying to: spetz (Jan 11, 2009 10:43 am)
I saw a writeup on this when I was doing pre-buy research. I just spent 30 minutes searching, and cannot find the source. It had to be on one of the online protege/323 forums. You might try posting on clubprotege, mazdas247, and others.
 
I recall the problem was with improper sealing around the heater blower, and the repair was fairly involved.

#3429 of 3738 Re: Acceleration problems... [bdkay] by NJStylee

Jan 13, 2009 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: bdkay (Jan 04, 2009 7:50 pm)
Ok so here's what happened:
 
I took your advice and did a band aid fix by filling the tank and putting fuel injector cleaner in. The car, once warmed up, ran fine but engine light still on. But no acceleration problems.
 
Took it to the same mechanic and they could not figure it out. The code on the computer gave a random misfire at 0 mph (engine light went off while attempting to accelerate). He said that in order to figure it out without going in and tearing everything apart, they would need to see the engine cold and advised dropping it off and leaving it sit overnight at the shop to be reviewed in the morning. He said they got nothing telling them it was an o2 sensor or lean fuel mixture. But couldnt be certain unless they ran it cold and tried to duplicate the problem. they cleared the codes, engine light off, car ran fine for a week. i allow my car to fully warm up before going anywhere, especially with the cold nights and mornings we have had here in NJ.
 
A week goes by and car starts acting up again...but not nearly as bad. one time since, the car was in idle warming up and i felt it shake periodically, very gently but noticably, for a few seconds and then stop. i will get an occasional hang in acceleration, but by gently working the gas, the car seems to overcome it and resumes normal acceleration. and it occurs less than half the time i drive.
 
however, its very interesting to note that i seem to have the problem more often and worse when its wet or very moist out. for example last saturday it snowed very lightly and my car was out in it for 3 hours since i reached my destination that evening. started fine, but a few miles up the road it started hanging on acceleration again. i got home and didnt drive again that night. next day car worked fine. and for the past few days, again, a few minor periodic hangs in acceleration. however the engine has not been violently shaking when slowing down and going back to idle like it did last time. and the engine light has not come back on.
 
as far as bad gas is concerned, i dont know what you mean. nor would i know the difference. i usually get gas at the lukoil up the street. however for about 3 years strait at my old residence, i would always stop and get wawa gas as it was the cheapest around and on my way home from work.
 
im not sure if my fuel economy is struggling. its hard to tell since my commute to work and back is less than 4 miles round trip. and i havent been driving the car that much in fear of having a problem and being far from home. im actually still on the same tank of gas that the injector cleaner was mixed into.

#3430 of 3738 Re: Acceleration problems... [NJStylee] by autonomous

Jan 13, 2009 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: NJStylee (Jan 13, 2009 12:42 pm)
seem to have the problem more often and worse when its wet or very moist out.
I wonder if condensation is affecting your spark plugs as the car warms up.
 
 the engine has not been violently shaking when slowing down and going back to idle like it did last time. and the engine light has not come back on.
My 2002Protege 5 had a serious shaking problem when the EGR valve failed. The EGR issue is a common problem of Proteges, according to my mechanic.

#3431 of 3738 Low Oil Pressure by mgmazda

Jan 16, 2009 (1:33 am)

I baught a 2001 Mazda Protege last april. I love this car. It's great. I have run into some problems with it tho. My oil pressure continously blinks and I've recently had to stop driving it. My car idles fine. But if i try to drive it anytime i get over 2500 Rpm it's starting knocking and clanging. I don't know much about this car it's the frist mazda i've owned. My grandfather is an old fashion mechanic. He can work on any chevy or ford you throw at him. But when it comes to my car he is clueless. I told him about my low oil pressure and he said that it sounded like my oil pump was weak. I've looked everywhere for and oil pump for my car. Nobody has one. Most people say they've never heard of it and then others say they have. I'm very confused. Does my car have an oil pump? If not how do i fix it? The nearest mazda dealership is in missouri. I can't afford to have it towed. What could cause this problem? Where can i find the parts to get it fixed?

Messages Page 344 of 375

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