Recent content by YoGeorge

Anti-Drainback valve.... I've got a Ford van with a 4.6, and have used Motorcraft filters because they have the best "anti-drainback" valve--this valve keeps the filter full of oil when the engine is shut down, so it gets up to the valve train quicker on startup. With poor anti-drainback...

What fluid type? I'm new enough to the P5 that I'm not sure what the *actual* recommendation translates to--do guys try to hit a Mercon V spec, old Mercon, Dexron III? There are some multi-fluids out there which might cover all these apps, and Ford apparently is killing the old Mercon spec...

No promises, but if your engine is not burning or leaking oil, I think you'll be fine. I bought my P5 with 52.6k, and at the first change, done at 55.6k, put Valvoline Synpower (full syn) in it. So far, I've got 2200 miles on that oil change; has not used a drop. One big reason I went full...

I believe the new crop of synthetic oils are not like the early ones--I believe the original synthetics would mess with the gaskets a bit--shrink them a bit, and have heard stories about synthetics dissolving deposits in older engines that were basically holding back leaks. But the new gen...

193k.... I was poking around the regular Protege forum, and there was a guy in Virginia who had 193k miles on the original timing belt on an FS motor(!?) Then again, I've got a Ford van and in one of the Ford truck forums, there was a link to www.millionmilevan.com about a guy who has a...

That is a good point... I believe the car has spent its life in Michigan, although I'll note that in searching the Internet, I have yet to find anyone who has actually broken a belt on an FS motor. With 200k on your car in IL, have you been changing the belt at 60k intervals? As I said in my...

Hi all: Again, I'm a new guy here, have had a P5 since last October (test drove 'em in '02 but couldn't swing one back then). In any case, I'm 6'2" tall with longish legs (and a bad back, bad right hip) and would *really* benefit from an inch or inch and a half of additional rearward seat...

Sincere thanks.... I will now be able to sleep a bit easier if I push the belt change...as I said, I had an Acura 2.5TL (5 cyl) which did have an interference engine and that was getting scary approaching 100k miles....likely a ton more money than the P5 motor if I did break it... I still...

Thanks, guys....here is a paste from the Dayco timing belt catalog...which says the FS motor IS an interference motor. You all seem pretty assured that it's non-interference--have any of you actually confirmed non-interference on your own? (I'm in "trust but verify" mode, and am not quite sure...

Michigander here.... ...just bought a P5 last October and replaced the 195/50's with 205/50's to get a bit more rim protection for the chuckholes here. Throws off the odo 1-2% max, gives a nicer ride at the expense of go-kart reflexes--or at least my choice of tires did this. Went with Kumho...

Yes, it is an interference motor.... Hence my concern....

Hi all: I'm new to the forum, bought an '03 Protege5 last October; I'm an old guy who has owned a bunch of cars going way back. (Still have a "toy" '91 BMW 318is) In any case, I bought my car with 52,600 miles on it, now has 57,500 or something. Maintenance schedule says to inspect the timing...