Belt or chain noise

[d_source]

Hi All,

My 3 is making some weird noise after this past weekend. Sounds like a belt is having problems. Does the 3 have a timing belt or timing chain? I am at about 140,000kms which is usually about the life of these things correct, that's why I think that's the problem. How safe is it to drive if this is the problem (as i may not be able to get it in to be fixed for a little while) and can anyone else think of what the issue could be? It sounds like its coming from the passenger side.

2004 Mazda 3 sedan GS.

Thanks.

[taz4432]

The MZR engines have timing chains so that should not be the issue. What do the noises sound like and under what conditions do you hear them - idle, driving, acceleration, braking, what speeds/rpm, etc.? Is your car standard or automatic? The more information you can give us the more likely it is we can help you out.

It may be that your passenger side motor mount is done as it happens quite frequently on these cars and I'm almost surprised that your's has lasted this long. Some signs that would likely indicate a bad passenger side motor mount is creaking coming from the glove box area, and liquid stains, or liquid running down the side of the passenger side motor mount.

If you pop your hood, look to the passenger side of the engine bay and you should see something like in the picture below. It is not covered by any sort of plastic piece so it should be fairly easy to find.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3797/img0878qd3.jpg

Look for anything that seems out of place and in particular the liquid stains that I mentioned. If there is fresh liquid in the area then it is pretty much definitely a bad engine mount.

[Harbour Rat]

Our engines have timing chains, not belts. Usually timing chains will last until the engine needs to be rebuilt, though with interference engines a timing chain failure almost always force a rebuild, or a cylinder head overhaul at the very least so that metric is a bit ambiguous. Still, it is unlikely you have a timing chain issue.

I'd suspect the serpentine belt tensioner if the noise is really bad and rattle/grinding sort of character. Or it could just be a bad belt - serp belts can make some pretty rude noises when they start to throw chunks and keep doing it for a while before they finally come apart completely.

[taz4432]

Our engines have timing chains, not belts. Usually timing chains will last until the engine needs to be rebuilt, though with interference engines a timing chain failure almost always force a rebuild, or a cylinder head overhaul at the very least so that metric is a bit ambiguous. Still, it is unlikely you have a timing chain issue.

I'd suspect the serpentine belt tensioner if the noise is really bad and rattle/grinding sort of character. Or it could just be a bad belt - serp belts can make some pretty rude noises when they start to throw chunks and keep doing it for a while before they finally come apart completely.

Yup...in addition, look for strips starting to come off on the serpentine belt or frays starting to peel. I ran my serpentine belt for many thousands of kms with a strip missing from it with no issue but finally replaced it when my alternator went last month. All the belts and pulleys with the exception of the compressor/belt are easily visible and fairly easy to look over and do a 'quick visual inspection'.

[d_source]

I would consider the noise a rattling noise. There is no fluid in the car or any that i can see leaking anywhere. I've made a video, maybe you can hear the noise better than i can explain it. It kinda sounds like its coming from the belt most prominently filmed in the video.

I thought we had a timing chain. Does that mean it doesnt ever have to be replaced?

Thanks for your help.

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoRw9a9-dTo

[07m3gt]

does the noise ever stop maybe when the car warms up? sounds like the bearings in the water pump to me buy hey I aint no mechanic

[d_source]

The noise does not stop. It's there when the car starts and seems to get a little louder when accelerating.

[M&D Executive Auto]

The noise does not stop. It's there when the car starts and seems to get a little louder when accelerating.

It may be your belt tensioner, they do tend to wear out and will make a noise like that. I would get it fixed, as if you read other posts about serpentine belt tensioner breaking off, you definately want to get it fixed before it breaks.

[d_source]

So if this is the problem, is this a difficult/expensive fix? Time/parts - > how much? I need to work out a deal with an autobody so i want to try to work this in as well but i need an estimate as to how much this fix would cost. Thanks.

[d_source]

Anyone have a guess? $100, $200?

[07m3gt]

Call Mazda and price out a belt tensioner. And you can do the install yourself pretty easy bolt off blot on

[d_source]

I called Mazda for a quote.

Parts dept tells me that the part alone costs $141+tax and there arent any available in Ontario for at least a week.
Service dept tells me that the service (including the part) costs $120+tax.

What's wrong with these people. :S

[zoso]

I called Mazda for a quote.

Parts dept tells me that the part alone costs $141+tax and there arent any available in Ontario for at least a week.
Service dept tells me that the service (including the part) costs $120+tax.

What's wrong with these people. :S

Go to agincourt Mazda or Flipdaddy to get a discount and take it to Street performance to get installed

[07m3gt]

I called Mazda for a quote.

Parts dept tells me that the part alone costs $141+tax and there arent any available in Ontario for at least a week.
Service dept tells me that the service (including the part) costs $120+tax.

What's wrong with these people. :S

Lol i would go with the service department. What Mazda did you call?

[d_source]

The problem ended up being the A/C compressor had ceased. Yet ANOTHER problem with my mazda 3. No Way i'm spending over $1000 to have it fixed so I guess my car no longer has A/C. What a surprise, I am just out of warranty.