Kev's '98 Protege Thread

[irishkev90]

New AC compressor is in. The old one was a pain to take out. Just need to get the system charged and I'll have working AC after 2+ years going without it

Also moved a ground for the passenger side HID ballast. It would get splashed when driving through a puddle and cause the light to go out. I lengthened the ground and connected it to the front of the engine. Hopefully that solves that problem.

[irishkev90]

Found txmzdspd2gen's Photobucket album the other day. Looking through pictures of the car I realized something; I have a couple things he doesn't. A Mazdaspeed front strut tower bar and a Cusco front lower tie bar (two-point). Those should be fun to add. He does have a 19mm rear sway bar, though. So I guess I can put the OEM ES sway bar on my car. Any one know what bolts the brackets use?

[irishkev90]

New tires on. Sumic GT60A. Not sure how good or bad they are, but they're the only tires they had in my size and I'm not too worried about performance or anything. Just needed new tires.

[Mazda_Powered]

no pictures eh lol

[irishkev90]

I can get some tomorrow, they're nothing special, haha. Just some no name brand I've never heard of and can't even find on Tire Rack.

Also tried to get my A/C charged today after replacing the compressor on Sunday. Apparently the compressor had so much rust between the clutch and pulley that it wouldn't engage fully and work properly. So they sucked all the refrigerant back out and sent me on my way. *sigh* time to find a third compressor that hopefully works.

[irishkev90]

Oh, and I have reason to believe my engine is leaking oil from, well, everywhere! Hahaha. Definitely from the valve cover and oil filler cap onto the exhaust manifold/heat shield. Possibly from the oil pan gasket and probably even the rear main seal. Tons of engine oil dripping from that side of the engine and the transmission bellhousing. I need to get txmzdspd2gen's car up here asap so I can tear into this one and fix what needs to be fixed. I was supposed to get a call from the bank yesterday about my loan, but never did. Called today and they said it's still pending so I'm going to call every day and make myself annoying until I get a solid yes or no on that. Ugh, so stressed out thinking about all this, just want it all over and done with.

[irishkev90]

Washed the exterior. She sparkles now.... sort of. Was going to do the interior, but the heat got to me so now I'm in the air conditioning enjoying a nice peach iced tea.

Edit: Got the rest of the car done. Used Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant for plastic, rubber and vinyl. I applied it to the door panels, dash, console, A-pillars, B-pillars, C-pillars, sides of the front seats, door weather stripping, exterior mirrors, side molding, bottom of rear bumper, tails lights and trunk garnish, turn signals and headlights, grille, mud guards and the entire front bumper. Pretty much any plastic/rubber piece you see, I wiped it down with that stuff. On to the pics:









Don't mind the carpet, seen better days.

And Jack, here's a photo of the tire:

[irishkev90]

http://www.adirondacknationals.com/home.htm

Hopefully I'll be able to make it to the Adirondack Nationals this year. Classic car show so I obviously have nothing to enter, but I love walking around and taking pictures. Beautiful cars and some really outrageous stuff as well. Now that I'm single, I should have no problem getting up there as early as I need to. My ex would never be ready before 1:00 and by then there would be nowhere to park. So glad I'm single again, staying away from relationships for a good long while.

[Mazda_Powered]

car looks very happy in those pictures! lol I actually cleaned my paint the other day with some painters-help goo gone haha, car sparkles where there's good paint

[irishkev90]

"Where there's good paint." Hahaha, I hear ya there. Only part that sucks is it rained yesterday. But I had my wiper arms off yesterday to repaint them, so I couldn't take my car out anyway

[irishkev90]

Just got the last bit of info I need to get the new car. Lots of errands to do tomorrow; bank, hair cut, replace A/C parts and charge system and somewhere in there I need to make a phone call to Stateway.

HTC Droid DNA

[Mazda_Powered]

bank loan was approved I take it?? when's the big date? :D

[irishkev90]

Hopefully soon! Hahaha. Needed more info for the bank transfer like address and crap, so I'll be going in tomorrow morning and can hopefully get the car picked up before the end of next week. Also need to get the A/C charged tomorrow as well. And get a new blower fan switch at some point so I have more than one fan setting, oh boy.

[Mazda_Powered]

sweet!!!

[irishkev90]

Money should be in his account by tomorrow so as soon as I get word that he's got it, I'll set up a date to have the car picked up and then a little bit of stress will be relieved.