02 ZX2 Questions (Newbie)

[Robbyboy]

Hello Everyone

I have a 2002 ZX2 that I have some questions about and would like some advice on so I dont kill my ZX2 prematurely! I apologize if they seem dumb, but I wanted to air them out and get opinions on these questions before I start any major work on my car!

1. Car is a 2002 5 spd 97k primary purpose is commuting to work and running fire calls (I am a firefighter). When commuting, it is a 66.8 mile round trip. For the commute, I set my cruise to 62 and its mostly highway driving. For fire calls, I get up on her hard (sometimes 75-80 depending on type of call, but this is once or twice a week sometimes more sometimes less)

2. My check engine light came on recently, and it was my coolant sensor (P0116/0117). I replaced it than my engine ran horribly. Friend said after hooking a similar sensor to it that the other sensor was bad and it could cause rough idle/difficult start. Once the engine warms up she runs fine with ZERO noticable change in mileage.
- Early in the morning (5am in North Carolina Coast) It will take several times to turn over. She cranks, with no loss of compression (audibly) but wont start. When she does start, its rough, I have to run it high RPM for the first mile or I will stall. Once I drive about 1-2 miles, no problems noticed.
- Not quite no problems, I have no AC now...

3. What is the normal gas mileage for the ZX2? I drive VERY VERY conservatively most of the time (95+% of the time) and I only get about 30MPG. 87 Octane from the same station that I have been using mostly for the past 2 years. Never had problems with their gas.

4. Ive done dumb things before and was wondering what anyones experience was on the timing belts on these cars? I had a 00 kia that the timing belt went every 90k or so and I found out the hard way. What is the average time on Timing belts, my friend says that it wont kill the engine but I want other opinions so I dont fry this engine too!

Hopefully my questions make sense! Please have mercy on this newbie!

Thanks
Robert

[theoldwizard]

For sure you are due for a timing belt. I'm not certain what engine you have, but I'm pretty certain it will "free wheel" if it breaks (early Escort engines did not).

If you are replacing the timing belt, do the water pump and serpentine belt at the same time. You have it all apart, so you might as well do it.

Replacing parts related to engine/emission controls without extracting the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (free at most big auto parts stores) is not smart !

As for fuel economy, depending on how much highway/city you drive 30 mpg is not too bad. When was the last time you replaced the plugs air filter and fuel filter ?

[ZX2Fast]

That mileage seems a bit low. Probably just needs a tune-up.

This is a non-interference engine. If the belt breaks, no problem. The valves won't hit the pistons. You do not need to replace the water pump when you do a timing belt, they have nothing to do with eachother.

Timing component service is every 100,000 miles.