Fuel Filter, Coolant, and Power Steering Fluid

[internetman]

Hello,
I have a 2000 Mazda Protege ES (not a MP5 - this forum seems to have more publicity, and that's why I posted here).

I have 109k on it, and I took it into Big O Tires for an oil change and they said I need to have my Power Steering Fluid changed. Every 30K, I take my car into Mazda. I looked at all the invoices and they've replaced the ATF and Brake fluid, but never the coolant, P/S fluid, or the fuel filter, or atleast, I don't see it on my invoice. I am kind of suspicious. And, my last Mazda Dealer Service was at 90k - so clearly they didn't replace the P/S fluid.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[sephiroth]

coolant probaly does need changing after 109,000 miles.. but P/s never really needs to be changed unless something is wrong with the system(since it's sealed), and the fuel filter is (according to mazda USA) a lifetime fuel filter, which never needs to be changed. However, mazda Japan reccomends you change the fuel filter every 100,000miles.

I also have a 2000ES.. my P/S fluid is just fine.

at 100,000 miles you should consider replacing the timming belt/ tensioner.

 

[mazdaddy]

My experience with Big O is that anytime I have had them do something for me, they always want to pad the bill with all kinds of extras that "You really need to have done".
After my last encounter with them, I won't go back..had new tires put on the wife's Miata & they left the tire pressures at 40-45psi- right rear at 51psi (on her car the mfgr spec is 26psi (sport suspension))

 

[internetman]

When I asked the guy at Big O, he said my coolant was fine. It had -40 C protection. I dunno if that says if the indicates if the coolant is good...do you know?

Big O says it needs to be replaced (the P/S fluid does). so should I replace it?

Wow, lifetime fuel filter? that's surprising...is that why it's not replaced?

Mazda didn't say anything about the timing belt at 90k, so it will probably be replaced at 120k.

My service routine is I take it to Mazda for a major service every 30k, and inbetween the 30k's, I take it to Big O...saves $$ and is feasible.

Reply back!

 

[sephiroth]

Big O says it needs to be replaced (the P/S fluid does). so should I replace it?

ask him if there's any specific broken part.. if not don't worry about it.

 

[FSCatalyst]

Check your Power Steering fluid. Though its a sealed system like the Brake Fluid. It can still get dirty. I believe our P/S fluid is Mercon V which is a very bright cherry pink colour. Take out the P/S fluid cap and the little filter and stick your finger in and see what colour it is. Anything from dark red to black it needs to be changed.

 

[sephiroth]

Check your Power Steering fluid. Though its a sealed system like the Brake Fluid. It can still get dirty. I believe our P/S fluid is Mercon V which is a very bright cherry pink colour. Take out the P/S fluid cap and the little filter and stick your finger in and see what colour it is. Anything from dark red to black it needs to be changed.

I don't think mazda uses automatic transmission fluid for the P/S fluid, I think they just use normal P/S fluid.

 

[internetman]

Hi,
Yeah, it's brownish color, so I think when they said it needs to be service, they mean't that it needed new fluid. I don't think it's ever been replaced.

Uhm, also, the coolant. It's bright green and it has -41 c protection, according to Big O when they tested it. Does it mean the coolant is okay? How do you know when to replace the coolant?

Lastly, so I don't ever have to replace the fuel filter? (is it really a lifetime filter?)

Thanks.

 

[sephiroth]

p/s fluid is a clear color like brake fluid when new. changing coolant is a little more than about protection, that's a major part, but you change it to get rid of debris from rust too.

mazda does not use automatic tranny fluid for it's p/s system in the protege, so don't go throwing some in there.

 

[internetman]

Hi,
Yeah, if I were to get a flush, I'd take it to Big O. How do you know when to replace the coolant? Can you tell by color?

And the fuel filter...is it really lifetime? (I don't think it has been replaced, ever.)

I also checked the manual, and the P/S Fluid is indeed, the ATF fluid.

 

[FSCatalyst]

Err... If Mazda doesn't use Mercon V then why is their flush kits iwth P/S fluid
stated its Mercon V and its shown on their prodcut window when you walk into the dealer ship? Anyways Manual State ATF- MIII or Dextron 3. and from Wiki "Ford says applications that require Mercon ATF can now be serviced with Mercon V."

Also Ford P/S and Auto trannys use Mercon V from Factory.. Not sur about older models but the recent ones do.

 

[internetman]

According to the manual, for tranmission, Dexron works for A/T and P/S/F.

1. The P/S is def. brown. Replace needed?
2. Fuel Filter...lifetime?
3. Coolant - how do you know when to replace?

 

[Tom03es]

Buy yourself a turkey baster, suck out the old PS fluid, put some new ATF fluid in. Start the engine to let it circulate. Suck out more fluid and put more in. Easy.

I'm planning on replacing my coolant every 30k miles.

 

[internetman]

I don''t think Mazda replaced my coolant (its not listed on the invoice, under parts). It's bright green - does that mean it's good?

Good P/S fluid is usually cherry colored/pink, right?

Fuel Filter...is it lifetime filter on the proteges?

 

[FSCatalyst]

According to the manual, for tranmission, Dexron works for A/T and P/S/F.

1. The P/S is def. brown. Replace needed?
2. Fuel Filter...lifetime?
3. Coolant - how do you know when to replace?

1. I'd definately replace it. Contaminants in system is bad and its just preventative maintence just like any oil change.
2. Not sure but I believe the Fuel Filters are in the Fuel tank and are designed to be 'life' time.
3. I'd get a 10$ Coolant Temperature Gauge and do a reading. Depending on where you live , my coolant freezing point is at -45degrees Celsius. If its severly off then I'd replace it. Also you could do a visual, if it looks heavily contaminated or it smells burnt I would replace it.

Even then if its good I'd still replace the coolant every xxxkms (whatever the books tells you) just to be sure the anti-corrosion additives are at 100%

 

[internetman]

Hey,
Yeah, I guess I will go ahead with the flush.
Questions:
1. So the P/S fluid only gets replaced when it's dirty correct (so, with the new fluid, I am probably good to go another 100k, since this is my first flush, right?)
2. According to maintenance schedule, coolant is supposed to be replaced every 30k, but it looks like Mazda didn't do it... any reason why?
3. Tranny fluid, brake fluid, and oil are replaced at 30k (and coolant is supposed to be replaced at 30K), any other fluids that would need to be replaced?
4. New P/S fluid is supposed to be cherry colored (like tranny fluid color) right?
5. How does the Lifetime filter prevent clogging?

Sorry for all the questions. You guys have been a great help!

 

[sephiroth]

Err... If Mazda doesn't use Mercon V then why is their flush kits iwth P/S fluid
stated its Mercon V and its shown on their prodcut window when you walk into the dealer ship? Anyways Manual State ATF- MIII or Dextron 3. and from Wiki "Ford says applications that require Mercon ATF can now be serviced with Mercon V."

Also Ford P/S and Auto trannys use Mercon V from Factory.. Not sur about older models but the recent ones do.

I just took a look at my workshop manual, you are correct, the fluid specification is ATF Mercon III or equivilent. e.g. Mercon V should be used.

Hey,
Yeah, I guess I will go ahead with the flush.
Questions:
1. So the P/S fluid only gets replaced when it's dirty correct (so, with the new fluid, I am probably good to go another 100k, since this is my first flush, right?)
2. According to maintenance schedule, coolant is supposed to be replaced every 30k, but it looks like Mazda didn't do it... any reason why?
3. Tranny fluid, brake fluid, and oil are replaced at 30k (and coolant is supposed to be replaced at 30K), any other fluids that would need to be replaced?
4. New P/S fluid is supposed to be cherry colored (like tranny fluid color) right?
5. How does the Lifetime filter prevent clogging?

Sorry for all the questions. You guys have been a great help!

1) well, if any fluid is dirty, it should be replaced.
2) because every 30,000 miles is a way to make more money. Coolant does not go bad every 30,000 miles.
3) Really, what other fluids are there besides the one you've decided to replace now? I guess you could change your refrigerant, not really a fluid, but It can be changed.
4) yes. It's ATF

 

[internetman]

Hey,
Well, every 30k, the coolant, ATF, Oil, and Brake fluids will be replaced. (Hopefully at the 120k service, Mazda will actually replace the coolant as per their maintenance schedule.) The only thing left then is the power steering fluid, which has obviously gone bad, and as stated, p/s fluid never needs to be replaced unless it gets dirty - there is no set interval for changing it, correct?

...and as for the fuel filter...I guess a lifetime filter is good, although I bet it still would be clogged - but doesn't the fuel filter come built in into the fuel assembly on the proteges?

 

[thrasher]

Hey,
Well, every 30k, the coolant, ATF, Oil, and Brake fluids will be replaced. (Hopefully at the 120k service, Mazda will actually replace the coolant as per their maintenance schedule.) The only thing left then is the power steering fluid, which has obviously gone bad, and as stated, p/s fluid never needs to be replaced unless it gets dirty - there is no set interval for changing it, correct?

...and as for the fuel filter...I guess a lifetime filter is good, although I bet it still would be clogged - but doesn't the fuel filter come built in into the fuel assembly on the proteges?

It's a sock around the fuel pump in the gas tank. You can get to it through a hatch under the rear seat. Just flip the seat bottoms and you'll see it.

 

[sephiroth]

It's a sock around the fuel pump in the gas tank. You can get to it through a hatch under the rear seat. Just flip the seat bottoms and you'll see it.

I've always thought that you had to replace the whole assembly ($199) to replace the filter.

however, here is a picture of the assembly, and it does list a filter, item #19, for $27. I'm not sure if this is the sock filter or the embedded one. I *looks* like the sock filter. So I'd imagine you can't avoid the $200 pricetag just to change the filter.

...and as for the fuel filter...I guess a lifetime filter is good, although I bet it still would be clogged

if your fuel filter were clogged you'd notice a difference. Trust me it's not clogged.