Protege Problems
 

Since the summer is coming up I'd figure I'd use this time to do some custom work on my protege. However, there are some problems I'm having with the engine. I don't know if it's good or bad or what. First of all, my protege is VERY loud. VERY LOUD. When I turn on the engine there's a loud deep sound as if I had worked on my engine a lot or something but everything is stock. When I rev the engine it's crazy. It sounds like I have a mustang. I also have noticed the car is noticeably faster and accelerates like crazy. Maybe all proteges are just like this, but this doesn't seem regular. I think it might have something to do with the amount of air going into the engine? Also, if I drive a little fast I notice the gas needle goes down really fast but when I start driving normally it goes back up a little. I'm not sure what this is. This problem popped up out of nowhere (the sound). Some people have said it might be my muffler but I'm not sure. What are some things I should check out? Also, when I turn there is a cracking sound. Like kak-kak-kak-kak. I have a 1990 Protege SE manual. Thanks.

the "cracking" sound is more then likely workn cv joints. Check to see if your black rubber boots are torn , and if there is grease on the back of your rim. Thats expensive to fix so get it looked at right away. MOst proteges have to have that replaced at sum point.

true but the axels arent that expensive, just the labour

take it to a shop and get them to look it over for "problems" like muffler , cv`s, cracked hoses ect

also check your fluid levels (ie. oil and rad fluid and such just to be sure

Sounds like u blew your Flex pipe or something in the exhaust. What mods have u done to it ?. Is it clicking in the motor ? ..Jon

The entire car is stock. This all just happened one day somehow. The noise that happens when I turn only happens on sharp turns. Sometimes when I start off from a stop the car feels like it's going to stop as I shift gears, but then I just press the clutch down and shift smoother using more gas. There's no mods so I don't know what happened. Somebody said a hole in the muffler might be the case? It also seems like gas is used much faster. What could this be?

I agree with the other posts. Most likely CV joints and a hole in an exhaust pipe. CV joints aren't that expensive, labor can add up fast. Make sure you use rebuilt half shafts, or new shafts. Don't just let them rebuild the joints you have. It actually saves money in the long run to buy half shafts. Good luck

10-13 year old exhaust piping/gaskets do tend to deteriate (how you spell it? lol).

i agree with the first thing. my are replaced already. just as G-man said, rubber boots tore apart and the grease leaked out, sand got in and did the work.
second thing: i have a small hole on the rear part of the exhaust, sounds pretty cool, little bit louder, not too much, when im downshifting or shifting from 1st to 2nd harder, it makes a small "bang" from the exhaust which makes me happy:D also when braking whith the engine it sounds cool, i dont know how to say it in english, like drum-dang-bang-paf.....

since i dont know all the words in english, could somebody please explain to me what is flex pipe

some type of exaust leak and a bad axle obviously. you'll notice that if you drive it more and more on that broken axle, the noise will happen when turning from a stop (ie while the car is going forward, as well as reverse). the acceleration and mad crazy sound your hearing would be attributed to a BIG exhaust problem... typically, all exhaust gasses get expelled at the rear of the tail pipe, whereas in your case, it's flowing out elsewhere besides the tailpipe. could be by the flex pipe, by your catalytic converter, or at your muffler. get it checked out at meineke or your regular mechanic.
peace

ps. lol, well mazda madness, that wonderful sound you're trying to describe sounds like you have backfire (basically sounds like a gun going off) maybe??? :dunno: and the flex pipe connects from your exhaust manifold to the catalytic converter. has a kind of woven/braided metal look.

CV boots
 

CV joints arent too bad. I got both of mine replaced for $200 out the door.

Mazda factory wanted like $800 a side to fix CV boots. I told them Hell no.

I had a hole in my resonator that rusted out over time. Gave me louder sound and made the gas mileage kind of start to go to the crapper. I went to Meineke, there is this guy I know there, and he cut out the resonator and welded some pipe in its place. Only charged me like 20 bucks. Have that resonator looked at, it goes to crap over time. You dont need it, its just there to help reduce noise.

ps. lol, well mazda madness, that wonderful sound you're trying to describe sounds like you have backfire (basically sounds like a gun going off) maybe??? :dunno: and the flex pipe connects from your exhaust manifold to the catalytic converter. has a kind of woven/braided metal look. [/B][/QUOTE]

well it aint actually a backfire! it isnt that loud. it sounds like i have a big exhaust pipe. that hole is about 3 centimeters large, makes me happy :D