Hello, I am looking for advice before I to agree to help a friend with something I might not be able to finish. Her daughter just bought a 1995 Mazda Protege with a leak (and a whole lot else). It looks to be a water pump and she asked if I would fix it. If I am not mistaken I have to go through the top end to get this done. I'm your typical shade tree mechanic, more comfortable with a V8, and these OHV motors can tend to be a BIG job. Do you have to go through the valve train to replace the pump on one of these? Also, how many shop hrs. would this take? I'm not real excited about the liability for a mistake such as timing. Advice???
Thanks

Dan; Depending on which engine, the labor calls for an average of 3.5-4.0 hrs. Pretty sure that the timing belt has to come off to do the pump, so might plan on replacing it while you have it off. This is an interference type engine, meaning valve damage is possible if the belt is mis-installed. Your call.
Loren
SW Washington

Thanks Loren for the advice. The last thing I want to do is bend some valves. I have never replaced a timing belt. Once in my youth, in a desperate attempt to impress some girl, I told her, "yea I can fix that for you". Well... long story short, I had no idea how to fix that. And as you know, many of us want-to-be mechanics have gotten burned with promises we could not deliver on. I'm sure your shop has steady income from guys like me. I haven't done this work before and maybe this isn't the time to start.
I would like to help, but I don't want to spend my weekend on something I have no experience with. As for the girl I was trying to impress, It ended up costing me money to fix her car that she used to travel to see her new boyfriend a few towns away. She was right. She had no idea how to thank me, because she didn't (but I'm sure her boyfriend appreciated it). I think this one might end the same way.

Dan


(This post was edited by dan1223 on Nov 20, 2009, 10:43 PM)

dan; LOL. The trick is to get the 'thankyou', first. LOL. Never worked for me, either. LOL. I married my 15 yr. old girlfriend 38 years ago.
Loren
SW Washington

Loren, And you have been fixing her car ever since I'm sure. Sounds like a bargain for 38 years of marriage. You got some mileage out of that one. I'll have to think about this before I commit. Congratulation on your 38 years. I have socks that lasted longer than my marriage.

dan; Hmmmmm? I never thought about that! Yes, I have been fixing her car ever since. Needs gas? Honey! (She has NEVER put gas in a vehicle). LMAO. Needs maintenance? Honey!
Loren
SW Washington

Loren, If my ex. would have asked for a car instead of a divorce she would be driving a NEW Mercedes right now. It would have been cheaper. LOL. Dan


(This post was edited by dan1223 on Nov 23, 2009, 1:43 AM)