Timing belt replacement problems?

Tiny
BEASL004
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 MAZDA PROTEGE
Four cylinder 1.8 L front wheel drive manual 105,000 miles.

The timing for my car recently slipped due to a broken tension-er spring. I have replaced the tension er, tension-er spring, idler pulley, timing belt, spark plugs, and plug wires with OE replacements.

I have the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley aligned with the "T" on the lower timing belt cover which puts the crankshaft sprocket key-way just past the 12 o'clock position. The timing marks on the camshaft sprockets are aligned. With the crankshaft pulley in this position the number one piston is down instead of being up.

When I can get the car to crank the engine sounds like it is missing, runs very rough, will shut off if I let it idle, and the exhaust smells like unburnt fuel. Any clues as to the problem?
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 9:55 AM

47 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Piston needs to be all the way up, TDC. The timing marks are designed to line up with the piston in the number one firing position which is all the way up.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/1639_mazda1_1.jpg

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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
BEASL004
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That is what I thought but everything I read said that having the key-way at the 12 o'clock position should place number one at TDC.

Am I correct that the piston order is 3 2 1 4?

If that is correct, how do I have number one at TDC and have the key-way @ 12 o'clock?
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 10:32 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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Number one is the first cylinder, the one closest to the timing belt.They are 1, 2, 3, 4. the firing order is 1, 3, 4, 2.

I found this guide to help with the timing belt replacement.

https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/mazda/protege/1999

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 11:28 PM
Tiny
SILVER22553
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 MAZDA PROTEGE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
I am trying to change the timing belt. I am at the point where I need to remove the center crankshaft bolt after taking off the lower pulley. With a half inch breaker bar, the trans in gear and the foot brake pushed in, I tried to loosen the bolt. I actually over powered the clutch. I looked for an flywheel inspection plate to try to wedge the ring gear on the flywheel, but couldn't find an inspection plate. I am about to pull the starter motor to gain access to the ring gear, then had the thought that the bolt maybe a reverse thread. And maybe I am missing something rather simple - any thoughts
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi there,

This bolt is a standard R/H thread, just very, very tight. You can remove the starter (battery off first) and lock the ring gar, just make sure that the person holding the large screw driver locking the engine has a good purchase, otherwise it will slip out.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SILVER22553
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
That bolt was rather tight. I took my air compressor out to my son's house and hooked up my half inch impact driver. I set the air pressure to a 100 lbs giving 350 pounds to twist - off it came :-)
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOYTNLY
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1997 MAZDA PROTEGE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
I have a 1997 Protege with the 1.5l engine, auto trans. The car has been jacked up now for ten days for a few reasons, but mainly because I've hit a dead end. I'm trying to remove the crank bolt, which I'm sure I'll be able to do with a large enough cheater and impact socket. But.I can't seem to get the pulley off of the crankshaft. I've removed the four small bolts that hold it in place.I think they do anyway, but the pulley won't budge. I don't want to start pounding on anything before I know how to remove it. Does this pulley require a puller, or is it maybe just rusted/stuck in place? I've done three other Mazda belts on similar engines and had zero problems.I guess I was overdue! Also, is it best to replace the idler/tension rollers and water pump? 96k miles on the car, and I'd like to do the least amount necessary at this point.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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No special pulleys needed
this is the procedure to removing and replacing the timing belt
I would also do replace the water pump as you have every thing out

Removal
Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support vehicle. Remove right front wheel. Remove right side cover and undercover.
Remove drive belts and water pump pulley. Align crankshaft pulley timing mark with cylinder No. 1 at TDC of compression stroke. Hold crankshaft stationary. Remove crankshaft pulley bolts and pulley. Remove crankshaft pulley hub bolt and hub.
Remove spark plug wires. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse order of tightening sequence. See Fig. 1 . Remove valve cover. Remove dipstick tube.
Remove upper timing belt cover. Support engine with jack. Remove engine mount bracket from timing belt end of engine. If timing belt is to be reused, mark timing belt rotation direction. Ensure timing marks on camshaft and crankshaft sprockets are aligned. See Fig. 2 .
Remove lower and middle timing belt covers. Loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt, and move tensioner away from belt with spring fully expanded. Remove timing belt.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic1_539.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic2_262.jpg



Position notch on crankshaft sprocket to 12 o'clock position (aligned with mark on oil pump). Align timing marks on camshaft sprocket and crankshaft. See Fig. 2 above . Ensure crankshaft timing mark is at TDC of compression stroke. Install belt around crankshaft sprocket. Working in a counterclockwise direction, route belt around pulleys and camshaft sprocket.
Loosen timing belt tensioner lock bolt, and allow spring to apply tension on belt. Snug tensioner lock bolt. Rotate crankshaft 2 complete turns in direction of normal engine rotation. Ensure timing marks align.
Letter "Z" on camshaft pulley and pin on crankshaft pulley boss should face upward. If timing marks are not aligned, remove belt, realign all timing marks, and repeat installation procedure.
Check timing belt deflection with 22 lbs. (10 kg) of pressure applied to belt. See Fig. 3 below. Ensure timing belt deflection is .28-.35" (7.0-9.0 mm).
Ensure grooves on valve cover are free of oil, water, and dirt. Using new valve cover gasket, install valve cover. Tighten valve cover bolts in sequence. See Fig. 1 above. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic3_118.jpg

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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOYTNLY
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks for the great response. The one area that I'm still a little confused over is, do I need to remove the main crankshaft bolt before removing the pulley, i.E. Is that bolt holding the pulley on? That's where I'm stuck, as I have the four pulley bolts off but can't get the pulley to budge, and can't restrain the crankshaft until I get the pulley off. It's a catch-22.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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I have always removed center bolt
it can be very difficult to remove with out an impact tool

and after removing the pulley reinstall the center bolt and hand tighten, it will give you a better grip if need to hold crank shaft or turn before removing the belt
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOYTNLY
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Ok thanks. I'll have to find another way to stop the engine from rotating. The book indicated a port that I could access the flexplate but for the life of me I can't find it on this car. Ugggh. I'm ready to button this thing up and just sell it, not sure what to do. My impact has no effect on the crank bolt and just rotates the engine.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RONNIE 1340
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 MAZDA PROTEGE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 119,000 MILES
Is this an interference engine and what is the timing belt interval
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ENGLAND
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I have a 2002 Mazda Protege 5 with 181,000 kms. I had my timing belt changed at 155,000 but I was told by my local Mazda dealership that they are supposed to be replaced every 96,000kms. Mine was way over the recommended schedule, so you should really thinks about getting it done. When doing the timing belt they also replace the water pump. Mine cost about $250 plus the labour.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Place an old socket on top of the bolt and give it couple of good hits with a hammer
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOYTNLY
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I was able to pull the pulley off without removing the crank bolt, which is great. I just used a small pulley puller and off it came. Now I can fit a board to the pulley bolt holes to keep the engine from rotating, and get out that 6' breaker!

Thanks
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Happy to help

will be here if have any Questions

thank you
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHALO
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 1995 MAZDA PROTEGE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 225,000 MILES
How replace timing belt on mazda protege S1.8 Simple Came
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Put engine on TDC cylinder #1. Remove drive belts, splash shield and front cover. See diagram. Loosen tensioner bolt move away from belt and remove belt. Replace make sure marks dead on see diagram. Tighten belt with tensioner set to 1/2" deflection see diagram. Replace cover shield and belts.
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRESSLERCLL2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 MAZDA PROTEGE
1995 Mazda Protege Automatic

How to replace the timing belt on a 95 Mazda Protege 1.8 Lt. Du overhead cam.? Anything else I should do at the same time?
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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_Noname_1993.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_Noname2_645.jpg

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Monday, August 3rd, 2020 AT 1:59 PM (Merged)

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