How to change/remove the A/C Belt

[Bluemazda3-S]

Hey guys, just wondering how to remove the A/C belt on the 2.3. I made a big f-up when topping up the gas and added too much, and had to remove some, also took out some oil then the compressor overheated. Now the clutch always wants to engage making a nasty sound. I want to take the belt out so the g/f doesn't have to hear that noise all winter, and i don't want the compressor to seize up on her. I was just going to cut the belt, which is the easy way.. but eventually I'm going to have to know how to do it the right way :P Also... anyone know the procedure to replace the compressor?

[Noisy Crow]

Shop manual says cut it. There a a couple special tools used to install the new one (bascially used to ease the new belt on to the pulleys)

[Bluemazda3-S]

lol... are you kidding me?!?! There's no adjustment on this belt? Crazyness... or I'm just REALLY gullable

[Noisy Crow]

lol... are you kidding me?!?! There's no adjustment on this belt? Crazyness... or I'm just REALLY gullable

Yup. Or Nope. No adjustment on the A/C belt. Shop manual explicitly says as much.

[Bluemazda3-S]

wow.. that is insane... I guess I'll just cut it then.. problem solved. I'll deal with the new belt later. problem is, I doubt my g/f is going to believe me.. LOL

[Noisy Crow]

wow.. that is insane... I guess I'll just cut it then.. problem solved. I'll deal with the new belt later. problem is, I doubt my g/f is going to believe me.. LOL

Looking at the install instructions, it's a PITA to put back on. Little clips and do-hickeys to force the new belt on, and you need a breaker bar to manually turn the crankshaft.

Did you try removing the A/C relay?

[Bluemazda3-S]

thats the thing... even with the clutch disengaged, it still tries to engage.. something got damaged when it overheated. If I remove the A/C relay, that will simply disable the clutch right? I don't think that will work, cause thats the problem. when the clutch is disengaged it makes awful noises.. but when its engaged its fine.

[Noisy Crow]

thats the thing... even with the clutch disengaged, it still tries to engage.. something got damaged when it overheated. If I remove the A/C relay, that will simply disable the clutch right? I don't think that will work, cause thats the problem. when the clutch is disengaged it makes awful noises.. but when its engaged its fine.

Ah. Well, then, I guess you leave it on all the time!

But it seems getting the belt back is the least of your problems... sounds like you will pulling the whole compressor anyway.

[Bluemazda3-S]

Yeah, I have to replace the compressor for next summer

[Shawn]

AC is used for defrosting also, so it can engage in the the settings for defrost.
It pulls the moisture from the air in the car. Otherwise you get the steamy window syndrome.

[Bluemazda3-S]

yeah, I know... but she'll have to make due. i know I can defog without a/c.

[CanSpeed 3]

All belts on the mazda 3 automatically adjust themselves. Self adjusting belts are they new way of all belts imo. Its a bit of aq pain putting the new one on but i think it comes with the tool to help you.

I wouldnt cut it till you have you new one. I think your ac belt also might power something else but dont quote me.

I was zooming down the back roads in the summer and my pulley tensioner exploded causeing my serpentine belts to blow off taking out the ac belt on its way. Next think i know EVERY warning light is on in my car. Atleast i know the sensors work right :D Mazda has now change the pulley to steel instead of plastic for that reason.

[Bluemazda3-S]

When I looked, i was certain it only ran the a/c, I'll make sure thats the case before i cut it

[CanSpeed 3]

I dont understand why exactly u need to take it off anyways? Something about topping up ur gas in ur last post?

[Bluemazda3-S]

yeah.. I put too much in so i lets some out, and th eoil came out with it... long story short, I ended up overheating the compressor and now the clutch is sticking off and on... when the a/c is on, its fine, but when it's off, it makes a god awful noise.

[js1268]

coming in VERY late, here....but for what it's worth, mazda doesn't sell the clips/jigs anymore... the belt is simply 'forced' on

[TheMAN]

yeah.. I put too much in so i lets some out, and th eoil came out with it... long story short, I ended up overheating the compressor and now the clutch is sticking off and on... when the a/c is on, its fine, but when it's off, it makes a god awful noise.
so replace the clutch

just because you overfilled it and it blew out freon/oil through the relief valve doesn't mean you broke the compressor
do you have any idea how much it costs to change a compressor? a new clutch is MUCH cheaper as well as draining the system and refilling it with the CORRECT amount

also, are you sure it's not the compressor cycling off/on repeatedly? it can be doing it because of low refrigerant in the system... just simply pull the A/C relay or disconnect the compressor clutch and zip tie the wires out of the way

stuff like this is why I shudder every time someone tries to DIY "top off" their AC system

[Flagrum_3]

so replace the clutch

just because you overfilled it and it blew out freon/oil through the relief valve doesn't mean you broke the compressor
do you have any idea how much it costs to change a compressor? a new clutch is MUCH cheaper as well as draining the system and refilling it with the CORRECT amount

also, are you sure it's not the compressor cycling off/on repeatedly? it can be doing it because of low refrigerant in the system... just simply pull the A/C relay or disconnect the compressor clutch and zip tie the wires out of the way

stuff like this is why I shudder every time someone tries to DIY "top off" their AC system

Which is illegal here, by the way....just a small tidbit of useless info :)


_3

[TheMAN]

good thing it is
99% of the general public don't know what they're doing with an A/C system!

[nmatell]

Just a heads up with replacing the belt.

When replacing the A/C drive belt you dont have to use the little tools and turn the cranck to help force the belt on. You can just remove the compressor shield (3 nuts), then remove the compressor (4 bolts/studs). Its pretty easy to fit the belt over top the pulleys that way and just re-install the compressor. I didnt have the special tool to do it when I did mine and it was pretty easy to replace the both belts.

The instructions tell you to cut the belt off simply because its easier and quicker that way. Then use the install tool when you put on the new belt (that is of course if you have the tool ;)-

[gnmbrouwer]

Do not cut belt, remove 3 nuts from a/c compressor cover and remove cover. Next remove 4 bolts holding compressor to oil pan and you will have enough room to move comrpessor and remove belt.