My first thread on the forums!

I just purchased a 2002 Protege ES late last week with 170,000KM(92,000 Miles) on it (Got it for a killer price due to mileage) This coming weekend I plan to do a tuneup on the car as I have no idea if the timing belt or water pump were changed anytime recently (or ever at all). I also noticed the air filter looks very old/dirty so I plan to replace that with a K&N filter and possibly install some performance plugs and wires to give the car a bit more boost and better fuel efficiancy. The questions I have however are:

How hard is it to change the timing belt on this car? Is it a possible do it yourself job with somewhat limited experience (atho not super limited). I'd much rather not pay labor costs if I didnt have to.

I've heard the water pump is a simple process and I plan to pick up the Haynes Manuel this week so it should be simple enough to guide me through it.

Also, what would you guys suggest as far as plugs/wires are concerned? I believe the plugs may have to be replaced fairly soon anyways so I was thinking that I might as well upgrade in the process.

Also, is there anything other minor things I've missed that I could possibly go over/upgrade during this tuneup process to increase efficiency/performance of my vehicle?

Thanx in advance!

 

first things first.

If you've never done a FWD timingbelt before don't start on this car. IT's not the roomiest or easier to do. Just ask a shop to replace your waterpump and when you drop the car off give them a new timing belt and say "oh, while you're there throw this one back on for me." there should be NO difference in labor since it has to come off anyway.

plugs+wires do not make any power on these cars. Just stick with the OE coil packs and some NGK OE replacement plugs.

Here's my typical 30K refresh list.


oil / filter
coolant flush
tranny drain and fill (manuals only)
fuel filter (strainer screen cleaned)
tires rotated and balanced
brakes mic'd and inspected
drive belts inspected and replaced
Timing Belt replaced (at 60K regardless)
Water pump replaced (at 60K or whenever the timing belt has to come off- REGARDLESS)
fresh NGK spark plugs (indexed)
fresh air filter
clean MAF hotwire
lubricate shift linkages

 

I live in brampton, I can sell you my old stock K&N filter if you like, i dont use it anymore sincei upgraded to a CAI, I only used it once then say the hell with this and took it out for the upgrade

P.S. Rod your so dedicated to your car, i swear its your mistress/ secret lover :P lol you baby that thing

 

It's a $15K toy....gotta take care of it or else it won't take care of me!

 

^ word, well I got my dad helpin me on the weekend and he sais he's done a timing belt/water pump b4 on other vehicles so he said it should be fine I hope.

About the wires giving no added power, that is quite odd, I've seen a few on the market for my car that claim "A 5-10 increase in HP" and so on. False advertising? Guess I gotta do some research

 

yup. no'one can give you specific proof that replacing the wires will give you 5-10whp....it's a hoax.

Stock ignition systems (wires, plugs, coil packs) have been tested to make 500whp....there's no need to upgrade them unless you just like the color.

p.s. if you find a company that will put a hp gain in writing you should take them up on it. Then go rent a dyno for a half hour...do some baseline runs on stock wires, then new wires...send them the results and ask for your money back.