Mazda used the four-cylinder 1.5 liter engine most extensively in the Mazda Protege and the 323. Mazda designated this engine as the Z5. When running at its optimum, it produced 92 horsepower. Regular maintenance of the Z5includes periodic replacement of spark plugs and wires. The maintenance schedule iappears detailed in your owner's manual.
The engine is laid out transversely, meaning the crankshaft and cylinders are lined up perpendicular to the direction of the car's travel. When you are facing the engine, standing in front of the car, the cylinders number 1-2-3-4 from left to right.
The firing order for this engine is 1-3-4-2. The distributor turns counter-clockwise.
The plug wires are different lengths. They are designed to be just long enough to go from one distributor terminal to a specific spark plug. Change only one plug and one wire at a time. This way, you will not mix up which distributor terminal and spark plug each plug wire attaches to.
