How many have had the tensioner pulley disintegrate?

[Tony M. Nyphot]

Last night on the way home from work I hear a noise while in 3rd gear, sounded like I lost a belt. Next the charge light comes on, a couple of minutes go by then the temp gauge rises rapidly, then drops off to below cold, followed by the check engine light. I'm on the 401 west, by Trafalgar, car still seems to be driving normal so I limp it home. Pop the hood and the coolant is bubbling, with a small trickle down the side of the bottle, the accessory belt down beside the crank pulley and a piece of the tensioner pulley on the frame next to the coolant reservoir. Nothing has seized, even the bearing that used to be inside the pulley is ok, one small mark on the pulley washer. So I do a search on here and find Hypothrml had the same experience at the beginning of the month, except that theirs wouldn't restart for a while. I also did a quick google and found one other post, I can't remember where now. First time in 20 years of driving that this has happened to me, most of that time driving Dodges:bang. (The first step is admitting a problem right?) Anyway, I was just wondering who else has had this happen to them?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Mine twisted and chucked off all my belts not sure if it seized first.

[-RJ3-]

Luckily I had this replaced as soon as I heard this noise on the pulley.

Thomas also had the bad luck but had the same experience as you..

Should be a TSB on it.

[TheMAN]

should happen only on 04s and very early 05s... the plastic POS pulley got redesigned to a metal one (which is what it should've been!)
you can thank ford/mazda for cheaping out

[Tony M. Nyphot]

$250 for the tensioner and both belts, 2 "easy" hours of work later problem solved. TheMAN is correct, a nice metal pulley not likely to biodegrade on the new unit. On the bright side I got to experience the great customer service at Oakville Mazda! Without asking I was provided with a belt routing diagram and the installation tool. The AC belt was actually out of stock when Judy went looking for it and before she came back to inform me of this she had already sent their driver to Burlington to pick one up. Even asked the fine gents in service how to use the installation tool, which was quickly explained and eliminated the need to drop the AC compressor! Less than 45 minutes and I was on my way home to start work. Now, not that I don't appreciate the outstanding service, but what the hell is wrong with all other dealers out there? This kind of service should be the standard not the exception! Keep up the good work, and thanks for the TM3 discount, $30+ buck still in my pocket!

[m3zoomzoom]

just out of curiousity how much kms did you have on your car when this happened?... might do mine as preventative maintenance just in case

[ricohman]

How many KM's?
The tensioner should be replaced with the belt.

[Tony M. Nyphot]

98000 kms. Just bought the car 3 weeks ago with 94500kms on it. Looks like the belts were changed pretty recently, no damage but changed them anyway. Best advice: if yours is plastic replace it!

[TheMAN]

How many KM's?
The tensioner should be replaced with the belt.

there's nothing stated that it should be replaced with a belt replacement unless it fails inspection/testing per shop manual

[CanSpeed 3]

I Just bought my car the week mine exploded. I was going down the back roads home one night just to have some fun on the corners. Came to stop sign, let-er-go and 1st, shifted hard into second and i heard a lil blip. Didnt think to much of it, then by the time i hit 3rd my battery light goes on. Then my temp, then my oil, then every light goes on! pulled over right away and popped the hood. Noticed the coolant was all over. Finally noticed i have no freakin belts left ! and my pulley tensioner was in a million pieces.

Had it towed from there home, and mazda gave me a brand new metal tensioner with both belts free if i did the work. So that wasnt a problem :D

[ricohman]

there's nothing stated that it should be replaced with a belt replacement unless it fails inspection/testing per shop manual

I've been a mechanic for over 20 years. Replace the tensioner when you replace any serpentine belt. These belts can last up to 100 000 kms. The bearing in a tensioner last anywhere from 80-100 000.
I rebuild my own tensioners but its your choice.
There is no real way to inspect a sealed bearing. Turning it by hand it may feel smooth but you have no idea how it looks inside.
Or don't replace it. Your choice.

[Zotaga]

I've been a mechanic for over 20 years. Replace the tensioner when you replace any serpentine belt. These belts can last up to 100 000 kms. The bearing in a tensioner last anywhere from 80-100 000.
I rebuild my own tensioners but its your choice.
There is no real way to inspect a sealed bearing. Turning it by hand it may feel smooth but you have no idea how it looks inside.
Or don't replace it. Your choice.

Do you have to replace the A/C belt when replacing the serpentine belt? I am taking my car in on Tuesday to replace the tensioner (metal, but with plastic pully) and the serpentine belt. They didn't mention anything about having to replace the A/C belt as well.

[MzDax]

should of read this thread before thursday, when my tensioner snapped off on the 401 in middle of rush hour :bang