If you havent bought a new cat yet, see if you can source an MSP midpipe and then get a catless header and O2 extension wires. The MSP midpipe has two cats so youd be ok on a sniffer. If they do a visual inspection, you are SOL.I have almost 190K on my 2002 Protege5. No big issues until just recently--needs a new manifold catalytic converter (Error Code P0421) -- the expensive California type!
The protege motor is non interference. You should be fineJust hit 195k and timing belt went! Was 5 to 10k away from needing to have it done again.
Not sure what I will do. Talked to my old mechanic back in San Diego and he told me to just toss a belt on it to see if it makes any noise. If no noise, do a compression check and see where it's at and go from there. If it makes noise, pull the head and check out the valves and pistons. If pistons look ok then valve job and replace bad valves.
Any suggestions?
The protege motor is non interference. You should be fine
Maybe he's a good catchThat sounds painful.
Just hit 195k and timing belt went! Was 5 to 10k away from needing to have it done again.
Not sure what I will do. Talked to my old mechanic back in San Diego and he told me to just toss a belt on it to see if it makes any noise. If no noise, do a compression check and see where it's at and go from there. If it makes noise, pull the head and check out the valves and pistons. If pistons look ok then valve job and replace bad valves.
Any suggestions?
In H-town area too. Welcome aboard. (Don't post that too often here anymore) Does the velo mean you ride bikes? I have about 20 around the house.2003 P5 MT with just over 130k on the clock
also finally stopped lurking and registered!
Ah. At 200k im doing all that because it has that many miles and I don't want to tear it apart againDidn't have time, to be honest. Was more concerned at the time about just seeing if it would run and making it run again. Water pump and seals are fine, if one goes out I'll deal with that later. Not a big deal to get back at them again if necessary.
It's a commuter with good gas mileage... it's an 02 with 220k miles. While I take care of it and do stay on top of the necessary maintenance I don't intend to go all out crazy. It runs great, gets 33-35mpg, no check engine light, doesn't burn or leak coolant or oil, no rust, cold AC and hot heat. I say If it ain't broke don't fix it
Didn't have time, to be honest. Was more concerned at the time about just seeing if it would run and making it run again. Water pump and seals are fine, if one goes out I'll deal with that later. Not a big deal to get back at them again if necessary.
It's a commuter with good gas mileage... it's an 02 with 220k miles. While I take care of it and do stay on top of the necessary maintenance I don't intend to go all out crazy. It runs great, gets 33-35mpg, no check engine light, doesn't burn or leak coolant or oil, no rust, cold AC and hot heat. I say If it ain't broke don't fix it
mine also broke at about 180-190k. Like yourself, most of what i read said it was an interference motor, but for $30 i bought a new belt and put it on, figuring "it's $30, worth a shot". fired it up and have been driving it ever since without issue. I commute about 230 miles per day back and forth to work
IF it broke at 6k RPM as you were pretending it was a race car you might have a problem, but if you were driving normal i'm sure it will be fine.
Mine was on the second belt and it wennt out on my morning commute (about 2800 RPM). Towed it home, bought a belt, replaced it in the driveway and back on the road before noon. Watch the Youtube video chain on this. Easy maintenance if you have a jack, a jackstand, a block of wood, some metric tools and some general mechanical knowledge.