# 2000 Mazda Protege 1.6l wont start after timing belt change **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sparkplugs, mazda\ **Created:** [September 7, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042 "2014-09-07T01:30:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Coldo09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Coldo09](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Coldo09)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/1 "2014-09-07T01:30:14Z")
2000 Mazda Protege 1.6l Just replaced timing belt, tensioner, idler, water pump, plugs and coil packs I have checked the timing about 10 times before puting everything back together by rotating the engin clockwise. No stiff point and marks lining up perfectly every time. Though when I turn the key in the ignition, the engine cranks but doesn’t start. Can’t really check the sparks cause I am on my own, but seems like the spark plugs in 1 and 3 are wet with fuel and 2 and 4 are dry. Any thoughts ? Thanks lots ---
**Author:** ![Coldo09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Coldo09](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Coldo09)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/2 "2014-09-07T03:36:55Z")
Update, I just checked the spark plugs and no sparks in 1 & 3 wich are linked by wires. And 2 & 4 which are right under the coil pack seem to fire. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/3 "2014-09-07T04:18:10Z")
Bad wires? They may be leaking spark. Try replacing them. ---
**Author:** ![Coldo09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Coldo09](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Coldo09)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 5:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/4 "2014-09-07T05:44:06Z")
OK, got it ! I just put the crank pickup plate the wrong way because I didn’t notice it had a particular way on. all is back on, running smooth. Thanks !!! ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 5:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/5 "2014-09-07T05:48:28Z")
I would think of buying newer car ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 6:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/6 "2014-09-07T06:14:32Z")
@Cavell, why? If it was a simple reassembly error, and virtually a no cost fix, what would make you lean to bailing out? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 6:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/7 "2014-09-07T06:38:56Z")
None lives forever. Why not get the best car available? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/8 "2014-09-07T08:34:54Z")
@Cavell‌ The guy figured out his mistake, the car is running well again. And he just changed the timing belt, so that’s good to go for a few more years Why get rid of it just now? Assuming the car’s in reasonable shape and long ago paid for, it makes sense to keep driving it for a few more years. As long as it keeps passing safety and smog inspections My brother kept driving his old car for several years, even though he didn’t like it. But it allowed him to save quite a bit of cash for that next car ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 8:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-mazda-protege-1-6l-wont-start-after-timing-belt-change/87042/9 "2014-09-07T08:45:41Z")
And I offer a tip of the hat to the OP for a job well done. It’s very rare when an OP knows enough to go back over his/her work with an open mind when the expected results don’t happen.