I had a 1994 Mazda Protege with the 1.8 liter DOHC engine that was used on the Miata. Loved this car.
I used to do all of the maintenance on all of my cars, and decided to do the 30,000 mile service on this car to save some money.
I had replaced the fuel filter, PCV valve, transmission fluid (even dropped the pan and replaced the filter and gasket); replaced the engine oil and filter.
Basically, everything was done but the air filter. I removed the top half of the airbox and tried to move it out of the way to slide out the square air filter. I couldn't force it out. Instead of removing the black plastic air tube (I didn't have a pair of pliers nearby to remove the pinch-type clamp). I happened to have a phillips head screwdriver, and decided that I'd just quickly remove the mass air sensor, which rests on top of the air box. I removed the screw and not so gently pulled the MAS off, and three loose wires came out. It was not meant to be removed in the fashion that I did. The wires could not be reattached. Tried to start the car anyway (like an idiot), and the car wouldn't even idle. Backfired badly through the intake manifold and tailpipe. I thought the engine was gonna catch fire.
I had to tow the car to the dealer, and had them install a new MAS and new top half of the air box.
Cost me $440 parts and labor.
So much for saving money on a 30K service that would've cost me about $220.00
