Timing Belt Replacement Oddity

[jaman]

Hey guys,

I'm coming up on 96k kms (60k miles) on my 2000 LX (or ES in US). That means according to the manual its time for a timing belt change. However, when l took a closer look, it says that cars sold in thirteen specific states (lists NJ, DC, CA, NH, MR, MA, etc.) the timing belt only needs to be changed at 168k km (or 105k miles). What is going on? I highly doubt that they got some "special" strength timing belt.

Any ideas??

Thanks

[MP3-Owner]

Could be due to the weather but I would change it at the lowest miles listed because that is something you don't want breaking on you.

[Dexter]

broken timing belt = goodbye 92 protege :(

[jaman]

From what I know, the newer Mazda's have dished out pistons so if the timing belt breaks the valves and pistons can not collide.

So I guess nobody knows why in some states you can almost go twice as far on a timing belt.

Has anyone tried replacing their timing belt on a 98+ protege?

[MP3-Owner]

Originally posted by jaman
From what I know, the newer Mazda's have dished out pistons so if the timing belt breaks the valves and pistons can not collide.

So I guess nobody knows why in some states you can almost go twice as far on a timing belt.

Has anyone tried replacing their timing belt on a 98+ protege?

The newer Mazda engines are what they call "non-interference" engines. Which means the pistons have places in them for the vavles to go if the belt breaks.
Here is a picture of what the pistons look like...
http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/MP3-Owner/rebuilt%20block%20small.jpg

[mazdamastertech]

it has to do with emmissions warrnty, some states will put it under that. but i recommend replacing it at 60000. they hardly ever make it to 105000. do u want to take the chance. they are non-interfernce motors. i have put on quite a few.

[Bocatrip]

I am a new member and have dug this post up from the internet. I have a 2002 Protege with 59,000 miles. The dealer recommends timing belt replacement at 60,000 miles. After making a few inquiries, I have been told that the recommended replacement for this timing belt should be at 105,000 miles unless the owner lives in a climate of constant Zero Degrees Farenheit! I live in Florida and I can certainly wait another 30-40,000 miles to shell out the $400. In additon, at that time, I could also replace the water pump, idler and tensioner without having to do it twice.

[bazooka joe]

it has to do with emmissions warrnty, some states will put it under that. but i recommend replacing it at 60000. they hardly ever make it to 105000. do u want to take the chance. they are non-interfernce motors. i have put on quite a few.

so if the belt does break, is the motor gone or not?

[zerocover]

No the motors fine but youd have to get it towed to someplace you could work on it.

[Reitrof]

Have 102,000 on mine now, but will change it in January. Had a quote from mazda raning from 330-550 depending on whether it needs a water pump.

Does this sound about right?

[Bocatrip]

so if the belt does break, is the motor gone or not?

No.........The 2002 Mazda LX Has the Non Interference Motor.........There is actually a chart on line where you can find out whether or not any car has either kind of Motor. The worst that can happen if the belt breaks prematurely is an inconvenient tow to your local mechanic. Damn if I'm going to replace something that I may not even own within the next year or so. Many of the newer cars today recommend the timing belt to be replaced around 90-100 Thou. I own a G35 Coupe.....No replacement period....Timing Chain!!!!!!!!!!!

[bazooka joe]

No.........The 2002 Mazda LX Has the Non Interference Motor.........There is actually a chart on line where you can find out whether or not any car has either kind of Motor. The worst that can happen if the belt breaks prematurely is an inconvenient tow to your local mechanic. Damn if I'm going to replace something that I may not even own within the next year or so. Many of the newer cars today recommend the timing belt to be replaced around 90-100 Thou. I own a G35 Coupe.....No replacement period....Timing Chain!!!!!!!!!!!

okay and the pro5 has the same engine...i'm gonna find out what my mechanic will charge me....

[Protege52003]

okay and the pro5 has the same engine...i'm gonna find out what my mechanic will charge me....

NEPOC install day!!!!!

i am going to wait another 30-40K. i am at 53K now!

[Bocatrip]

NEPOC install day!!!!!

i am going to wait another 30-40K. i am at 53K now!

Good thinking, if you wait till closer to 100k you can do the water pump and tensioner at the same time without having to take apart the engine again. Use the $400 bucks for your next set of tires........you can be sure that we will need them!

[bazooka joe]

okay and the pro5 has the same engine...i'm gonna find out what my mechanic will charge me....

521 = belt and pump

[Bocatrip]

521 = belt and pump

Sounds about right or close to being in the ballpark. Now it's a matter of if you go by the dealer's recommended 60K or the * (*105,000 with cars driven in 0 degree Fahrenheit temperatures)

[Protege52003]

521 = belt and pump

that does not seem bad......figure we can buy the belt for 180'ish?, the pump for 100.ish????????? and then or couple hours +++++ for install.

[debiguana]

I have a 2001 Protege LX, and I'm in the middle of replacing the timing belt -- I had 147,000 miles on the original belt. It was in good condition, starting to have cracking on the inside, but probably would have gone a little longer. That being said, they recommend 60K/105K for a reason...

If you're desiring going longer, at least get a towing package on your cell phone/auto insurance :)

[Protege52003]

^^^
my father put over 160K on my impreza 2.2L and never changed the belt......they sais go it around 75-90K.......

[MiltonOS]

I have an 02 Protegé ES. I can't find that chart to tell me whether it has a non-interference motor or not. Anyone know this? TY

[Captain KRM P5]

your car's engine is non interference

[Kansei]

that does not seem bad......figure we can buy the belt for 180'ish?, the pump for 100.ish????????? and then or couple hours +++++ for install.

The belt is 41 dollars (u.s. dollars not Massachusetts bartah dollars) on onlinemazdaparts.com

I got mine from thepartsbin.com for like 55, but I though it was a Mitsubishi belt but I looked and it's actually Mitsuboshi so I don't trust it.

I'd definitely be up for a NEPOC timing belt install day, I'd volunteer my garage and tools up here but that's not too useful :)

[bazooka joe]

The belt is 41 dollars (u.s. dollars not Massachusetts bartah dollars) on onlinemazdaparts.com

I got mine from thepartsbin.com for like 55, but I though it was a Mitsubishi belt but I looked and it's actually Mitsuboshi so I don't trust it.

I'd definitely be up for a NEPOC timing belt install day, I'd volunteer my garage and tools up here but that's not too useful :)

i'd be up for that, save myself 500 bucks!!! we could have a cook out and i'll spring for the red bull!!! let's plan this...i'm coming up on 83k soon...

[Kansei]

If it's on a saturday I'll be there :)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=rochester,+ny+to+boston,+ma&om=1

Actually I could do it on a sunday as long as it was early enough, I just have to plan to be back to Rochester before midnight.

I could bring my air tools if needed :)

[bazooka joe]

If it's on a saturday I'll be there :)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=rochester,+ny+to+boston,+ma&om=1

Actually I could do it on a sunday as long as it was early enough, I just have to plan to be back to Rochester before midnight.

I could bring my air tools if needed :)

well if it's at your house you better be there!! how long a job do you think it is...i betting 4 hours??

[Kansei]

well if it's at your house you better be there!! how long a job do you think it is...i betting 4 hours??

I'm really not sure. I basically did the job when I was installing a new intake cam but the intake cam is a lot more work and I had to go buy air tools halfway through so it took me a lot longer :)

Now I've got the tools, and I've done it before, so it shouldn't be bad. If people wanted to come up here to do it sure but yeah it's 6.5 hours from Boston lol.

[jmissiaen]

why not change the belt yourself? just make sure you line up the timing marks and put the engine at TDC before you start. Might take you all day but it's not hard. would be a good way to get to know your car!
Good luck!

[Kansei]

I've already been in there. With the rust and stuck bolts and such it really isn't a very fun way to get to know your car. Trust me, I do all the work on my car but after doing it once it isn't something I'm looking forward to doing again.

[steve_protege]

Im at 68,000 miles and a mechanic told me that my belt needs to get changed. He said that when it gets "glazed over" that indicates the belt should be replaced. Does that sound about right? While on the subject of maintance, when is it recommended to replace spark plugs and/or wires?

[bazooka joe]

Im at 68,000 miles and a mechanic told me that my belt needs to get changed. He said that when it gets "glazed over" that indicates the belt should be replaced. Does that sound about right? While on the subject of maintance, when is it recommended to replace spark plugs and/or wires?

well the manual says 100K.....i would bet all belts by the nature of how they work get a glaze on them....you sure he was takling about the timing belt?

[BondoBob]

I replaced it at 62,000. To inspect it, you end up stripping off everything anyway...so just did it (last summer).

(I remember the $2500 I spend on my Nissan Pulsar DOHC after the belt went early - won't do THAT again.)

[bazooka joe]

I replaced it at 62,000. To inspect it, you end up stripping off everything anyway...so just did it (last summer).

(I remember the $2500 I spend on my Nissan Pulsar DOHC after the belt went early - won't do THAT again.)

the fs 2.0 is non-interference motor, no worries!

[steve_protege]

well the manual says 100K.....i would bet all belts by the nature of how they work get a glaze on them....you sure he was takling about the timing belt?

Im fairly certain he said the timing belt. If the manual says 100K miles, then what other belt(s) would need to be replaced when the car hits 60K miles?

[Kansei]

the fs 2.0 is non-interference motor, no worries!

it's a beautiful thing. I'm going to wait until I'm painfully bored some day to change my timing belt. I've had the belt for a few months now.

[LordRahl007]

I'm currently sitting at 104k miles, and no problems yet. Waiting on a few tools I ordered online so I can get started on changing it. Heh, after all the tools I need it really won't be much cheaper to do it myself, but I'm still going to since I love working on cars.

[steve_protege]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">If it wasn't the timing belt, then it could be the belt thats near the crank pulley.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>well the manual says 100K.....i would bet all belts by the nature of how they work get a glaze on them....you sure he was takling about the timing belt?

[ChopstickHero]

I'm currently sitting at 104k miles, and no problems yet. Waiting on a few tools I ordered online so I can get started on changing it. Heh, after all the tools I need it really won't be much cheaper to do it myself, but I'm still going to since I love working on cars.


what special tools do you need for a timing belt change? i'm looking into doing it myself as well.

[psProtegeES]

Is there also any additional seals or pumps that need to be replaced when you change you own timing belt?

[Zaurusman]

Is there also any additional seals or pumps that need to be replaced when you change you own timing belt?

What HE said... Anyone? Front main seal or something that's accessible with the timing cover off?