mualan

Hi!

This is my first post, but I've been lurking around these forums for awhile.

I bought a 2003 Laser Mica Blue Protege 5 this weekend (w/ leather, moonroof/6-CD, MT), to replace my totaled 99 Protege LX. The car's been awesome so far.

Here's the question:
After a 20 minute highway drive, I was idling in a parking lot, when I noticed some intense heat drafts on both sides of the car, coming from under the body. I was standing on the sides in both cases, both driver and passenger. It's like there was a heat vent blowing out hot air at my knees or something.

I check the fluids, all fine. The car has less than 200 miles on it. Is this normal? I never noticed any heat drafts on my 99 protege, but then again, that one had 58,000 miles on it.

-mualan

kenchan

hummmmm....havent noticed that on mine yet. mines got
about 1100miles.

btw, nice choice in color, i got the same color except no
dealer options.

ZoomZoomBlue

i have a midnight blue mica with 11,500 miles.. haven't noticed this heat thing you're talking about. could just be some factory lubricants and stuff burning off.. i really don't know though..

hihoslva

You might have just been standing there when the radiator fan was cranking - it'll probably blow some hot air out the bottom of the car.

Could also have been a breeze, adding to the effect.

I don't think it;s anything to worry about.

reminds me of the time the fan clutch locked up on my old Camaro, and the fan would spin at the same speed as the engine. Sounded like a city bus, and blew like a hurricane when the engine was revved standing still!

Keep an eye on it - but see if the fan is on when you experience this.

~HH

Maxx Mazda

Don't worry about it. It's normal.

Sir Nuke

Hello Mualan and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have.

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

I think what you experienced was fairly normal...probably just had a breeze or the fan blowing over the hot engine or exhaust and out the bottom.....just watch the temp gage and keep on going.

mualan

Thanks for the help, everyone! And the warm welcome was much appreciated as well!

hihoslva was right. The fan does pump out some hot air from the underbody when it runs. As soon as the fan stops, it goes away. The heat level has decreased a bit though; probably just "breaking in" the new engine.

-mualan

hihoslva

I'll mark this as one in my "win" column.

~HH