Recent content by mattzerstoren

  1. M

    Help starting a P5 that's been sitting for years?

    @pcb coming through clutch, once again! Thank you for your quick replies. For now, I'm not smelling any gas or noticing any symptoms that would warrant the fuel filter swap, so I'll go with the path of least resistance and top off the tank with fresh gas and maybe some iso-heat or something of...
  2. M

    Help starting a P5 that's been sitting for years?

    Welp, 7 months later, and I finally got my long-time sitting P5 to start! All I did was inspect the plugs (they were clean), change the oil and put in a fresh battery. It cranked right up! I know I took the less ideal route, cranking it with the old gas in there, but hey, it started. That being...
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    Screen Shot 2021-03-06 at 2.37.57 PM.png

  4. M

    Help starting a P5 that's been sitting for years?

    @pcb - as always, thanks for your insight and detailed response! I thought about getting the fuel out this way, but I guess I was a little apprehensive about sucking up crud through the lines, however much that matters..? I was wondering if I might be able to siphon directly out of the tank...
  5. M

    Help starting a P5 that's been sitting for years?

    Thanks for the replies! So, the car sat for a little over a year initially, and it fired right up with a fresh battery when I moved it over to the new house. Now that was about 2 years ago, so it’s been sitting for 2 additional years and I’m just worried about that gas. Correct me if I’m wrong...
  6. M

    Help starting a P5 that's been sitting for years?

    Hey y'all, it's been years since I've posted, hence the title...my P5 has been sitting for about 3 years or so, and I'm working towards getting it back on the road. There were no engine issues before the car sat, so it should be fairly easy to get my P5 going again, I just want to make sure I'm...
  7. M

    Alternator Belt Tension

    FINALLY got this repair done! I went with the DENSO reman alternator, two new belts, and all is right in the world! My P5 is running like a champ, and no more squeal!!! THANKS Y'ALL!
  8. M

    Alternator Belt Tension

    Cool cool, I'll get some new belts on there...I'll run it for a few and re-adjust...do y'all use a belt tension gauge to measure tension, or just roll the belt over and judge by how far it moves..? Also, any particularly great brands for belts in the US?
  9. M

    Alternator Belt Tension

    Thanks for your reply, I read the post you linked earlier...I meant to come back and reply that I think I could handle the repair, so I went ahead and bought the DENSO reman! Wish me luck!!! Oh, should I go ahead and replace belts at this time..? Depending on condition?
  10. M

    Alternator Belt Tension

    That's what I'm leaning towards...what do you think about the difficulty level of this repair? I've done LCAs, axles, oil, gear oil, rotor, brakes, calipers...I have a mechanic friend at Mazda that quoted me $80 for the repair, I believe. Not sure if it's worth the headache to save the...
  11. M

    Alternator Belt Tension

    So, what do y'all think is a decent replacement alternator? http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/mazda,2003,protege,2.0l+l4,1430263,electrical,alternator+/+generator,2412 NEW Pure Energy Alternator - $156.79 REMAN Denso - $109.79 A friend of mine seems to be a Denso brand loyalist, I'm curious...
  12. M

    Surging headlights?

    I'm wondering if the issue I'm having with my alternator could be similar...my headlights will surge when I'm rolling the windows down or up, but the biggest issue I'm having is belt squealing when there are too many loads on. Headlights and radio is fine, A/C comes on, squeal...cigarette...
  13. M

    IAC valve connector keeps popping off. Does anyone else have this problem?

    The whole shabang is only like $3? I know mine was under $5 for sure ;)
  14. M

    Alternator Belt Tension

    This is exactly what I've been going through for the past year or so...my Mazda friend/mechanic changed the belt, it helped for a little bit...but, he told me the alternator was going out and that it was the bearing in the alternator failing...I just can't bring myself to buy a new alternator...
  15. M

    A rattling metal noise when idle

    Is the heat shield needed on these vehicles? Do y'all just take 'em off and leave 'em off? Mine is rattling like crazy, it's rusted through where it bolts on, on one bolt, so it rattles at idle pretty loud...just take it off? Or should it be replaced?
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