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Your modern Mazda makes use of what is termed a Mazda serpentine belt on the engine that is tasked with running all the parts, such as the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning, and the engine cooling system.
Older engine designs made use of multiple belts to drive these various pumps, while new engine designs employ just a single long belt to rotate all these parts, hence the serpentine belt name.
Read on as we share in more detail all that is necessary to ensure the continued correct operation of this belt that allows Mazda drivers to enjoy the drive.
Indications of Mazda Serpentine Belt Issues
There are a few telltale signs that drivers can look out for that point towards issues with the serpentine belt.
Squealing Noise
A loose Mazda serpentine belt as a result of insufficient tensioning will spin on the drive pulley and emit a squealing noise.
Visible Wear and Tear
A damaged serpentine belt will lead to possible damage on components such as the various pulleys and if it does fail may cause damage as frayed or cracked rubber bits or threads get flung off.
Power Steering and Air Conditioning Failure
The serpentine belt as shared above drives many components including power steering and A/C, and if the serpentine belt fails these features could fail too. Loss of power steering is especially dangerous while driving which may lead to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
The air conditioning system installed in your Mazda relies on the serpentine belt to turn the compressor, which circulates the refrigerant in the system. Loss of this function will result in the cooling operation of the system being lost.
Battery Warning Light
The serpentine belt also drives the alternator that is responsible for the charging of your car's battery. A loose or damaged Mazda serpentine belt will prevent the alternator from rotating sufficiently leading to undercharging of the car battery.
The battery in modern vehicles is tasked with powering numerous systems including the engine's ignition, lighting, climate control, infotainment and safety features, plus many more functions. An undercharged battery will simply be unable to power all these features, so when the battery warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster, it's best to get things checked at a service center that is suitably qualified.
Engine Overheating, Misfiring, or Stalling
The serpentine belt also drives the water pump on the engine, if the serpentine belt fails, the water pump may not be functioning correctly and can cause the engine to overheat.
In severe cases, a broken serpentine belt can cause the engine to overheat, leading to a misfire as the overly high engine temperature causes pre-ignition of the air/fuel mixture and stalling.
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Consequences of Ignoring Warning Signs
If drivers ignore these warning signs from the serpentine belt, where the problems are left unchecked, there is a very real possibility of an engine seizure. An engine seizure repair is not a cheap fix by any means.
Frequency and Necessity of Visual Inspections
Adhering to your Mazda's maintenance schedule will ensure the correct care is given to your Mazda vehicle and all its components, including the serpentine belt. Thankfully, visual inspection of the serpentine belt is within the mechanical ability of most owners.
Monthly inspections are a great way to check if everything is going well with the serpentine belt.
Simply open your vehicle's hood while the engine is running. Take a look at each pulley to see if the serpentine belt is riding straight or moving side to side. If the pulley is not running straight, then it's best to get it repaired as soon as possible. Also, check for any wear and tear or fraying of the belt and listen out for any irregular noises.
With the engine off, check the tension of the belt, and if it is excessively loose, make arrangements to have the belt and tensioners repaired at a suitably qualified Mazda service center.
Common Causes of Mazda Serpentine Belt Failure or Displacement
Mazda serpentine belt failure or displacement may occur for a number of reasons.
Firstly, incorrect tension on the belt, whether it be excessive tension or insufficient tension, will lead to possible failure as the belt is put under strain or whipped around.
Damaged or worn pulleys on the alternator, A/C compressor, power steering pump, or water pump will cause damage to the serpentine belt, resulting in failure.
Abnormally high engine temperatures in a vehicle's engine bay will lead to early degradation and failure of the belt. These overly high operating temperatures may be the result of excessive friction in the engine itself or insufficient cooling of the engine.
Exposure of the belt to heat, friction, and even contaminants can degrade the serpentine belt's rubber material, eventually leading to failure.
And lastly, any serpentine belt just like us is not immortal, and eventually, age and operating wear over thousands of miles of driving will necessitate replacement. Rubber belts even when not rotating in the engine bay are still exposed to the atmosphere which causes degradation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Replacement
Best left to Mazda's qualified technicians if you are not mechanically inclined, the replacement of the Mazda serpentine belt is a fairly simple procedure.
Removing the Old Belt
Your Mazda will need to be lifted and propped up with jack stands before removing the splash shield under the engine and the fender if necessary to gain access.
Best take some images of the belt and how it runs around the pulleys and tensioner to use as a reference for installing the new belt.
By using the belt indicators as a guide, turn the belt tensioner clockwise using a ratchet or wrench to gain better leverage. Once turned far enough, the belt is no longer under tension and easier to slip off the pulleys for removal.
Installing the New Belt
Installation of a Genuine OEM Mazda serpentine belt simply follows the removal process in reverse but first it's best to inspect the tensioner by spinning the pulley to see if it's spinning smoothly and if it runs wobbly or rough you will need to replace the tensioner at the same time.
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Schedule Serpentine Belt Service with Central Mazda
Sticking to the scheduled service on your Mazda will ensure that everything, including the serpentine belt, runs at its best.
Central Mazda in Plainfield, CT, has a Mazda service center with trained technicians who are perfectionists dedicated to making your Mazda drive its best. Be sure to contact Central Mazda when you are ready to make an appointment for your next scheduled Mazda vehicle service.
