2003 Mazda Protege Car won't start

SIRBREWTUS

MEMBER
2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
83,537 MILES

While on vacation last August, I loaned my 2003 Mazda Protege 5 to my friend. He called me to say that my car had blown up. He said it appeared to start overheating so he drove it about a mile to exit the freeway. He pulled over on the side of the road and the card died. It was towed back to my house. I noticed a hose had become disconnected from the radiator, the clamp broke. I replaced the hose and the clamp, filled the radiator and cleaned the engine. When I tried to start the car, it would turn over but the engine would not engage. All the electrical components were working, I just couldn't get the car to fire. Does this sound like a blown engine or possibly an issue with the timing belt?

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

When I tried to start the car, it would turn over but the engine would not engage

Do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

If you got snapping blue spark and fuel pressure is within specification-check valve and ignition timing