Wednesday, February 26, 2014
How to Replace the Head Gasket on a 1999 Mazda 626
Manufactured for the export market, the Mazda 626 first appeared in the U.S. in 1979. The 1999 version of the 626 is a four-door family sedan that was powered by a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine that produced 125 horsepower and 127 foot-pounds of torque. A leaking gasket that caused poor engine performance was one of the engines issues.
Instructions
- 1
Disconnect the negative (ground) battery cable. Remove the timing belt. Remove the front exhaust pipe. Remove the air cleaner. Remove the accelerator cable. Disconnect the fuel hose. Remove the ignition coil.
2Drain the engine coolant. Verify the engine oil level. Inspect for engine oil, engine coolant and fuel leakage. Inspect the pulleys and the drive belt for runout and contact.
3Hold the camshaft by using a wrench on the cast hexagon, and loosen the camshaft pulley lock bolt. Loosen the camshaft cap bolts in two or three steps. Arrange the removed camshaft caps to ensure correct placement during installation. Temporarily install the number three engine mount rubber to support the engine. Loosen the cylinder head bolts in two or three steps. Remove the cylinder head. Remove the old head gasket. Clean the surface of the block from any dirt and debris with a degreaser. Place the new head gasket on the block.
4Measure the length of each bolt used to tighten the cylinder head. Replace any that exceed the maximum length. Standard length is 4.103 to 4.125 inches. Maximum length would be 4.154 inches. Tighten the cylinder head bolts in two or three steps. Tightening torque shouldnt exceed 16.2 foot-pounds for each step. To install everything back, just follow the removal sequence in reverse. Remember to connect the negative battery cable back to the battery.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
1989 Mazda 626 Troubleshooting
Slotting neatly between the 323 and 929 is Mazdas mid level offering; the 626 sedan and coupe. This third generation 626 brought with it updated styling, a choice of 5- speed manual or 4- speed automatic transmissions, and a torquey 2.2L, 4-cylinder engine that incorporates a unique 12-valve head design. These vehicles are known for their outstanding reliability with some still in use today. High mileage on the Mazda 626 can result in a few common issues that can be easily addressed and repaired.
Instructions
- 1
Tune-up the vehicle by changing oil, brake and transmission fluid. Install new spark plugs/wires, and replace clogged or dirty air and fuel filters. This service is suggested every 12 months and will help keep the Mazda running optimally; as well as address issues like an engine misfire, hesitation, and poor idle/fuel economy.
2Connect an engine code reader to the 626s diagnostic port to quickly identify any faulty components.
3Replace dirty or contaminated engine coolant, and install a new thermostat to help correct extreme engine temperatures or weak cabin heat.
4Hook up a multimeter to test alternator and battery voltages. A voltage reading lower than 12 may cause starting issues and potential misfires.
5Perform a brake inspection and replace damaged rotors or excessively worn pads (close to the metal indicator), to alleviate poor braking performance.
