Hey all, I was wondering on what everyones take on replacing the timing belt and water pump on a 03 Protege DX 2.0 is. The car just hit 70,000 miles. I know Mazda recommends replacing it at 105,000 according to the owners manual, but does it matter that the car is 12 years old? Should I replace them or wait till 105k?

 

i would replace it now. replacing the water pump makes sense because to remove the pump, you have to remove the timing belt. removing the timing belt is 95% of the work to replace the pump. remember to replace the tensor spring and tensor the other wheel (i forgot its name)

 

Click on the link below:


Mazda Protege Workshop Manuals


In the table of contents go to Mechanical (ZM) 01-10A and click on 01-10A. Page 9 of the pdf explains how to replace the timing belt.

 

Usually it's 10 years or 100,000 miles, so you'd probably want to go ahead and do it.