Timing Belt replacement

[Tayzo]

My Protege has about 108,000kms on it, so I would like to be precautious and get the timing belt done early, while it's still intact and doesn't cost a fortune to fix if it were to break. Also, knowing how much money I would save by doing it myself...with only some reference to how-to videos and info on the Web... would you advise me doing so? Or should I leave the work up to an experienced and trusted mechanic? I am a Mazda and general car enthusiast, but I do not have much experience doing my own mechanical work on vehicles. However, I might become proficient at it, if I were to try and learn and gain experience from doing so.

 

[talltim]

You can do it. Ity isnt hard. That being said I was 1 tooth off when I did my Hyndia Elantra. It had started raining and I was rushed to finish it up. That sucked. If I dont have somewhere to do it on my own time I have a trusted mechanic do it. As long as you have time I would say do it!

 

[p_ballermatt98]

A friend of mine bought a 99 with 1.6 for dirt cheap and his broke. I used the chance to offer my help and learn how to do it myself since my 2000 with 1.6 is well over due for a change. We were able to do it in two days (really only working on it for one FULL day) with basic tools and info from the forums and a manual. I was doing most of the work but a set of helping hands comes in handy at times. Be sure to have all the correct parts and fluids ahead of time and be prepared to do a lot of reading.