View Full Version : Drive belt needs to go?
ptgrad2012
02-26-2019, 06:44 PM
Hi all,
Brought car to dealer today for oil change, comments came up re:
-drive belt needs to be changed, according to this pic, would you say so too? (belt and water pump pulley was changed at 111,300km , currently car at 161000 km, 6.5 yrs old)
-water pump starts to leak; I am guessing it's those two green dots on the bottom left of pic. (quoted for $690 + tax to change belt, water pump, and pulley)
-lastly, mechanic said he could smell a burning smell at the alternator, which he said it would usually die in 2 months or so. I tried to smell it, but I can't really smell it. (Quoted for $1040 + tax for alternator)
Just wondering if they sound right?
Thanks
https://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/ptgrad2012/IMG_20190226_160601_zpsqbwwn1sn.jpg
jeff7670
02-26-2019, 10:06 PM
My gen 1 belts at 260k are just fine....yours look ok however they do look overly tight. Those two green dots on your AC line are not coolant, so don't worry about that. If your water pump needs to be changed they must have done a poor job replacing the pulley, although they wouldn't have removed the pump to change the pulley. A smell from the alternator.....sorry ptgrad2012 I think the dealer is trying to get some money from you. Water pump issues from mz3 aren't common.
ptgrad2012
02-27-2019, 12:13 AM
My gen 1 belts at 260k are just fine....yours look ok however they do look overly tight. Those two green dots on your AC line are not coolant, so don't worry about that. If your water pump needs to be changed they must have done a poor job replacing the pulley, although they wouldn't have removed the pump to change the pulley. A smell from the alternator.....sorry ptgrad2012 I think the dealer is trying to get some money from you. Water pump issues from mz3 aren't common.
yeah, i had the same feeling with the smell comment.. everything is okay so far, I did change the battery recently, had it stalling next day, but remedied by letting it sit idle 20 mins to relearn; it runs fine now.
I guess I will just keep an eye out to see if there's any leak on the parking lot, and keep an eye out if there's any electrical issues.
Thanks!
Flagrum_3
02-27-2019, 04:30 PM
yeah, i had the same feeling with the smell comment.. everything is okay so far, I did change the battery recently, had it stalling next day, but remedied by letting it sit idle 20 mins to relearn; it runs fine now.
I guess I will just keep an eye out to see if there's any leak on the parking lot, and keep an eye out if there's any electrical issues.
Thanks!
From the sounds of it your going to the wrong place to get repairs done. Smell from the alternator? LMAO. Just have someone test it properly for proper output voltage.
Those prices quoted are also ludicrous, $1000 for an alternator replacement?
As Jeff said above those dots are nothing most likely from the factory as I have them also, so not leakage, and from what I can see your engine is pretty clean with no signs of leaks.
_3
LiviuTincu
02-27-2019, 09:50 PM
Hi all,
Brought car to dealer today for oil change, comments came up re:
-drive belt needs to be changed, according to this pic, would you say so too? (belt and water pump pulley was changed at 111,300km , currently car at 161000 km, 6.5 yrs old)
-water pump starts to leak; I am guessing it's those two green dots on the bottom left of pic. (quoted for $690 + tax to change belt, water pump, and pulley)
-lastly, mechanic said he could smell a burning smell at the alternator, which he said it would usually die in 2 months or so. I tried to smell it, but I can't really smell it. (Quoted for $1040 + tax for alternator)
Just wondering if they sound right?
Thanks
https://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/ptgrad2012/IMG_20190226_160601_zpsqbwwn1sn.jpgCheck the marks on the pulley, three lines, middle should be lining up with the other line. If is off too much, you have to replace the drive belt. You can check the voltage if you have a obd 2, should run around 14.2v, if is around 13v belt is lose, stretched, replace it. This is my experience with the belt which I have replaced 5 months ago.
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
LiviuTincu
02-27-2019, 09:53 PM
When water pump leaks, the coolant reservoir is low , you will see that right away , + it smell when hot.
Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
G ~ MINI
02-28-2019, 05:05 PM
I agree with Liv and Jeff and Flag.
Get a second opinion ...
i replaced my Serpentine Belt at 200K and swapped in lightweight pulleys at the same time.
with a non dealership mech ...an 1hr labor.
ptgrad2012
02-28-2019, 07:11 PM
Just an update:
went to Jimmy's today, he looked at the belt- normal wear, tested the battery-alternator is fine. He did find some stain at the water pump, told me to keep an eye on it in the summer as high pressure from the coolant could make it leak.
Booter22
03-02-2019, 09:27 AM
I agree with Liv and Jeff and Flag.
Get a second opinion ...
i replaced my Serpentine Belt at 200K and swapped in lightweight pulleys at the same time.
with a non dealership mech ...an 1hr labor.
where did you get the pulleys from?
G ~ MINI
03-04-2019, 04:21 PM
where did you get the pulleys from?
http://www.shaneracing.com/Mazda3_Performance_Power_Pulleys.html
Their website has not been updated in years ....
The Pulleys fit ..im running a full set....They fit MZR 2.0 and 2.3 up to 2013
(not sure about skyactiv engine and later years....)
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