Haynes’ Protege5

[Meck]

I bought this beauty of a Protege5 a week and a half ago in California. It’s in excellent condition as far as I can tell, 100% original as far as I know, and so far I haven’t seen any evidence of the R word even though it’s got 140,000 miles on the clock.

I’m starting this thread to document my experience with this car as I apply my decade and a half years experience as an aircraft mechanic, my basic general knowledge of automobiles, and my brand new Haynes manual, to keep this car in top condition. I’m going to start with a basic service, followed by a system by system inspection of the car to rebase the maintenance schedule.

 

[pcb]

Here's a link to the factory service manual, wiring diagrams, and the parts catalog.

F L O P T I C A L . N E T

 

[Meck]

Thanks!

 

[LankyKiwi]

Yussssss, fresh build thread!
The only two aircraft mechanics I've known have been absolutely meticulous in their work

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses!

 

[Meck]

The first round of inspections exceeded my expectations. This is an exceptionally well cared for car.

Everything under the hood looks great. The drive belts look brand new, the hoses are flexible and free from cracking, and really, the engine bay looks great.

I’m going to pull the valve cover next weekend to check valve clearance and look at the timing belt. A new gasket has already been ordered.

The breaks look really good all around. The disks look like they’ve never seen a worn out break pad, and the pads still have a lot of life left in them.

The suspension looks great with no overly worn or swollen or cracked bushings. The struts are all intact with good boots and no evidence of leaking.

I didn’t see any evidence of a collision anywhere, and no rust on the body or frame.

Overall, this car looks exactly like the gem I was hoping for when I bought it!

One question. Does anyone have the paint code for the red strut tower brace? I would like to color match the valve cover with it.

 

[pcb]

One question. Does anyone have the paint code for the red strut tower brace? I would like to color match the valve cover with it.

A3E.

I'm lucky because my car is the only color that has a color matched tower brace. Lol

 

[pcb]

Check your car for oil burning.

Almost all 2.0 liter FS engines burn oil.

You won't notice any smoke at first until the burning gets really bad.


Check your dipstick after a few hundred miles.

Our engines have issues with seized oil rings and plugged oil drain holes.


PS..
I am SO jealous of your car !!

This is what I'm living with... lol

 

[Meck]

Will I see any evidence of oil burning on the spark plugs? I’m pulling them next week when I pull the valve cover.

 

[pcb]

Not necessarily.

It starts off so slowly that the only evidence is on the dipstick.

I don't want to trash up your thread, but knowing where you stand with oil burning is pretty important.

 

[pcb]

Here's some info...

Post in thread 'What have you done to your P5 today?' What have you done to your P5 today?



Thread ''02 Protege5 burning oil, white smoke on startup/post downhill acceleration' '02 Protege5 burning oil, white smoke on startup/post downhill acceleration

 

[Meck]

Thanks!

 

[pcb]

Another thing,...

Our rear brake calipers are complete odd balls.

They are not seized (necessarily)



(Sorry only some of my pictures are still there.)

Thread 'Rear caliper dissection' Rear caliper dissection

 

[RPRP5]

I'm jealous. Mine had 128k when I had to let it go. And for the life of me, I can't find one that isn't on it's 2nd or 3rd motor around me or doesn't have 200k on the clock.

 

[Meck]

Fresh windshield wipers and Blaaaaaack wiper arms.

I removed the rear bumper protector to paint it blaaack, but after cleaning the bumper I don’t know if I want to put it back on…

 

[pcb]

Some people paint or plasti-dip their rear valence.


Post in thread '[DEFUNCT] The College-Budget P5' [DEFUNCT] The College-Budget P5

 

[LankyKiwi]

+1 for blaaaaaack wipers and for leaving the valance thingy off

 

[pcb]

I could have used the rubber bumper protector.
My car didn't come with one.

I've pounded a lot of crap in and out of my 'trunk'.

My rear valance painted...
(I didn't paint it. I spent half an hour blacking out the picture with my finger on my phone. Lol)

 

[Meck]

I’m going to paint it and see how it looks.

 

[pcb]

The valence or the rubber skid plate?

Plasti-dip peels off the valence if you don't like it.

 

[Meck]

The once black thing I peeled off the top of the bumper.