Technical > Automotive > [Help] 2000 Mazda Protege issues

[Help] 2000 Mazda Protege issues

They are probably pricing out an OEM part directly from the dealer. I could see a converter and piping running up a bill if they got it from the dealer.

Take it to an exhaust shop and have it checked.

reply to odeonkreel

Well, I plan on taking the car in myself to another sometime this weekend. Not the same place she took it to. She called them and told them about the parts at rockauto.com, but they refused to order them. Said they couldn't. Whatever. Guess they loose on some business.

But, let me ask another question. The car runs. Doesn't leak anything. Sounds normal for a car with 90k miles on it. Do we really have to worry about the cat?
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Besides the fact that you are polluting more, if ceramic material inside the catalytic converter breaks off it will clog the exhaust and make the car go about 20mph.

reply to odeonkreel
Take it to a muffler shop and have a universal Converter welded in place. That should be cheaper. Now if it is the pre-converter see near the bottom of my post.

Most all repair shops will not order parts online for you at DIY prices (you can order it and install it yourself of course as that is what DIY is all about). They order from their local parts jobber or dealer and they call their local warehouse to get it if they don't have it on the shelf and then the repair shop marks the price up as part of the repair job cost to cover warranty on the part and labor together if the part fails under warranty. It is how you get a combined Parts and Labor Warranty so you don't have to pay labor each time something fails under warranty. Otherwise if you bring in your own parts, you get a "Labor only" Warranty and if something goes wrong with the customer supplied part, you have to pay to have it removed, and then take it/ship it back to where you got it to exchange it then pay again to have it reinstalled. You lose that comfort of a combined Parts and Labor Warranty if you supply your own parts. That is if you can get the shop to even use your parts as a majority will not install customer parts for many valid reasons.

Here is a Aftermarket Pre-Cat Catalytic Converter.

quote:

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1999-2001 Mazda Protege - Eastern Before Cat. Catalytic Converter
Our Price: $235.32
Part Number: 40433
EASTERN CATALYTIC CONVERTER, DIRECT FIT -- 5 Bolt Welded Flange Inlet, 3 Bolt Welded Flange Outlet, A High Quality Direct Fit Catalytic Converter That Meets Or Exceeds OEM Specifications, It Is Built To Exact OE Dimensions With OE-Quality Flanges And Flex Assemblies, It Features Eastern's Proprietary Catalytic Chemistry And High-Flow Design That Maximizes Engine Output And Catalytic Efficiency, Easy Installation

Location: Before Cat.
Fit Note: Pre Cat Assembly

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reply to odeonkreel
I had a 2000 protege and had the same problem. Mine ran real rough, and had almost no power. It ran, but it sounded like a lawnmower on rocket fuel. Long Story short, it was a $1000 "Pre" Catalytic converter repair. I took it to my local guy who recommended me to a Mazda expert, for a second opinion.The expert told me the same thing...pre-cat. Both mechanics told me to do it at the dealer since they weren't 100% sure. (This way, I wouldn't be out the cash if it didn't work)
Sure enough, I was good as new after it was done. The pre-cat was something like $900, and labor was less then $200 if I remember correctly. The pre-cat is in the engine compartment, so it's totally different then the cat under the car. I don't know if any of this is helpful, but I thought I'd share.

reply to odeonkreel
If you are around Wichita I can recommend a shop for you. They did exhaust work on my CRX and S10, cheap and good. They have been around for years.
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reply to Doctor Olds
Doctor, yup looks just like the part that needs replacing. And about the same price as at rockauto.com. I will look at it this weekend...not much time during the week to mess with the vehicles. Hopefully I can get my hands in there and work on it.
Did I mention I don't like small cars?

robbob340, as long as it's not Firestone at E. Kellog and Rock. Damn those guys suck. Had my run-in with many years ago, when they could not accomplish the simple task of a starter replacement on my Mustang without f'ing up more stuff. And to this day, I have not stepped in any Firestone shop. There was a shop around Central or 13th and Woodlawn that was pretty good. Small shop. But good. Many years ago since I have been there though. Probably not the same owner anymore.
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reply to odeonkreel