JosueP5's '03 Protege5 Build Thread.

[Josue6WGN]

Ah...we can rule that out then. lol Although I haven't calculated my MPG yet...still on my 1st and only fill up. It's between half and 1/4 of a tank right now, and probably around 250 miles on the tank. Normal?

And the light came back on while going to work just now...eff

 

[THE Phen]

yeah... that would be a little on the low side for my car, but not too far off. My car would commonly get 90 before leaving F, 120-150 at 3/4, 200-230 on 1/2, around 300-350 at 1/4, and around 400-420 when the light came on. Of course no two cars are the same.

 

[Josue6WGN]

I only got around 40 before it went off F. Seemed really low to me, but I thought it may be due to me buzzing around town in it. I'm not beating the s*** out of it or anything, but I'm not exactly grandma-ing it and shifting at 2500 or anything. lol

 

[THE Phen]

When I was driving mine, I was shifting around 3500 or so and just driving it. Highway + 72 mph (cruise) + A/C on, and I could pull 450 miles on a tank.

 

[Josue6WGN]

Like you said, every car is different....but do you think my numbers are too low as of now? Or wait till I get a few more tanks through it before worry sets in?

Also, what's the #1 bank on these cars? #1 cylinder? Which one is that?

I'm going to try replacing that injector with one off of Evan's manifold. A buddy at work also told me to check the spark plugs for color to see if it looks white/chalky/low on fuel.

 

[o0n8]

it's the far left one facing the engine

 

[THE Phen]

Like you said, every car is different....but do you think my numbers are too low as of now? Or wait till I get a few more tanks through it before worry sets in?

Also, what's the #1 bank on these cars? #1 cylinder? Which one is that?

I'm going to try replacing that injector with one off of Evan's manifold. A buddy at work also told me to check the spark plugs for color to see if it looks white/chalky/low on fuel.

Nah, I just got freakishly good mileage at times. I averaged overall around 29 or 30 for a cumulative average.

Bank #1 is the cylinder closest to the timing belt. Evan's motor was a good running motor, so once you get these little things covered, you'll be golden. Keep in mind that the FS-DE is far from the best motor in the world, so stupid little s*** like you're dealing with can take a little time to completely catch after a swap.

 

[03zoomzoom]

Bank 1 = cylinder head with #1 cylinder. Since this is an inline 4 engine, there is only one bank. You will have a sensor 1 & 2. Sensor 1 = before cat, sensor 2 = after cat

 

[Josue6WGN]

Good deal. I'll get this round of tinkering done and go from there. It may even help smooth the idle out a bit too, but it's pretty good now after the mount swap. Everything else seems fine with the car.

I'll definitely need to get this done before echeck. lol That, or stop down the street and reset the ECU, then test and hope no codes come back that quick!

 

[PrinceValorum]

That, or stop down the street and reset the ECU, then test and hope no codes come back that quick!

We passed my friend's 99 Si that he had at the time like that. It was hilarious.

 

[Josue6WGN]

Hahaha....nice!

 

[Josue6WGN]

What is used to clean the MAF sensor? I'd like to give that a wipedown as well...might be all gunked up from the turbo crap.

 

[THE Phen]

MAF sensor cleaner...

 

[Josue6WGN]

Dammit...more crap to buy and use once!

 

[THE Phen]

I may have some. Let me look. Miata doesn't have a MAF, so I don't know what I did with the can after I used it... once...

 

[Josue6WGN]

Haha...

I have a can of throttle body cleaner I used on my truck like, 2 years ago. I douched the EGR valve with the stuff, but I guess I should've scrubbed it with a brush and oiled whatever needs to be oiled.

 

[CTt3P5]

MAF cleaner is cheap...about $6 a can at AZ and I've now used mine twice after the last tune-up. So it's not a complete waste. If I was closer you would be more than welcome to use it.

 

[Josue6WGN]

Yea, I'll just get a can. If anything, make it a part of a cleaning routine every so often to keep this thing A-OK. Need some brake cleaner too...just to have.

 

[wildcard26]

You can also safely use Contact Cleaner to clean that MAF. Fast dry is best for this application, I would avoid using the TB cleaner though.

 

[PrinceValorum]

Dammit...more crap to buy and use once!

It's also extremely flammable, so you can have some fun at night with a lighter and your new flame thrower when you're done cleaning.