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So I have a 2004 Grand Touring with just 39,000 miles. I took it to Mazda for servicing in January 2020 and they did not mention anything about my belts needing replacement.
I was driving earlier today, when the battery light came on (it's a new battery). I drove about 5 minutes to the nearest parking lot where I begin to hear a loud noise. I shut the car off and looked in the hood.
The Alternator/Water Pump Belt was shredded with engine coolant everywhere (even though the cap was still on).
Here's a better look at the pulleys:
I also noticed some frayed material everywhere:
The alternator and water pump pulleys is moving freely by hand. The engine coolant reservoir is understandably low. I was unable to scan with the engine off. I'm really hoping there isn't any permanent damage to the engine.
How should I begin fixing this?
Is it as easy as replacing the belt and refilling the engine coolant?
Why was engine coolant everywhere?
Should I take it to Mazda to get a compression test and cooling system pressure test?
Is there anything else I should be doing?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all in advance!
You can replace the belt, that's the easy part.
As for why coolant was everywhere, it probably boiled through the overflow pressure relief once the water pump stopped, however without the water pump the temperature inside the engine was probably quite a bit hotter than in the overflow, so it's possible the engine is damaged. No way to tell until you fire it up again.
You can try to pull the spark plugs and see if there are signs of coolant on them.
You can replace the belt, that's the easy part.
As for why coolant was everywhere, it probably boiled through the overflow pressure relief once the water pump stopped, however without the water pump the temperature inside the engine was probably quite a bit hotter than in the overflow, so it's possible the engine is damaged. No way to tell until you fire it up again.
You can try to pull the spark plugs and see if there are signs of coolant on them.
How many miles ago was January 2020?
Probably a ton, because Mazda doesn't use trash Fram oil filters. Even if the year was a typo and you meant to put January 2021, it has still been 7-8 months that the belt has aged in what I could only assume is rather frequent driving. If you did mean 2020, now we are talking 19-20 months since Mazda laid hands on this.
It appears the neglect in this case falls on the OP. Definitely with the amount of time that was driven, you absolutely had to have significantly overheated the engine and more than likely damaged it. Before you invest any money randomly throwing parts at the car, get a compression test and check the spark plugs while you're at it for signs of engine coolant. While you're at it, clean your engine bay, it might help you see through and diagnose issues with the rats nest of filth cleaned out of there
You can replace the belt, that's the easy part.
As for why coolant was everywhere, it probably boiled through the overflow pressure relief once the water pump stopped, however without the water pump the temperature inside the engine was probably quite a bit hotter than in the overflow, so it's possible the engine is damaged. No way to tell until you fire it up again.
You can try to pull the spark plugs and see if there are signs of coolant on them.
How many miles ago was January 2020?
Okay, I'll try to pull the spark plugs when I replace the belts this week. Since January 2020, I've only driven this car a few hundred miles (I barely drive it). Back then, I took it to Mazda for the passenger airbag recall, when they did an inspection and didn't mention the belts. Even a few weeks ago, I inspected the belts and they seemed okay to me, but obviously they weren't.
Probably a ton, because Mazda doesn't use trash Fram oil filters. Even if the year was a typo and you meant to put January 2021, it has still been 7-8 months that the belt has aged in what I could only assume is rather frequent driving. If you did mean 2020, now we are talking 19-20 months since Mazda laid hands on this.
It appears the neglect in this case falls on the OP. Definitely with the amount of time that was driven, you absolutely had to have significantly overheated the engine and more than likely damaged it. Before you invest any money randomly throwing parts at the car, get a compression test and check the spark plugs while you're at it for signs of engine coolant. While you're at it, clean your engine bay, it might help you see through and diagnose issues with the rats nest of filth cleaned out of there
I brought it to Mazda in January 2020 (19-20 months) for the passenger airbag recall, where they also inspected the car. I barely drive this car (a few hundred miles since January 2020), especially during the pandemic. But because it's a black car in SW Florida, I'm sure the heat did a a number to this belt. I only change the oil and filter myself since my local Mazda charges me $150. But I do go to them for more complex servicing.
Yeah, you're right. I definitely neglect this car at times since I was so busy with college and running a company. But now that I'm graduated, I'll give this car more attention. I'll replace the belts later this week and check for signs of engine coolant. I'll get the compression test from Mazda after.
Would you recommend I go with the Mazda oil filter to replace my trash Fram filter?
I brought it to Mazda in January 2020 (19-20 months) for the passenger airbag recall, where they also inspected the car. I barely drive this car (a few hundred miles since January 2020), especially during the pandemic. But because it's a black car in SW Florida, I'm sure the heat did a a number to this belt. I only change the oil and filter myself since my local Mazda charges me $150. But I do go to them for more complex servicing.
Yeah, you're right. I definitely neglect this car at times since I was so busy with college and running a company. But now that I'm graduated, I'll give this car more attention. I'll replace the belts later this week and check for signs of engine coolant. I'll get the compression test from Mazda after.
Would you recommend I go with the Mazda oil filter to replace my trash Fram filter?
Thank you Ricky.
I grew up in S. FL... who is your local Mazda? Sounds like they are totally ripping you off. I might be able to advice a better local dealer.
I've been there and done that/been guilty of it myself so I understand. Replace the belts, but while youre at it replace the AC belt tensioner. It will be cheaper for you most likely to simply buy a rotary compression tester and do the test yourself, or find someone local to you who can help you by providing a comp test.
Always go with a OEM mazda filter, they are affordable and will filter better than almost any off the shelf filter.
I grew up in S. FL... who is your local Mazda? Sounds like they are totally ripping you off. I might be able to advice a better local dealer.
I've been there and done that/been guilty of it myself so I understand. Replace the belts, but while youre at it replace the AC belt tensioner. It will be cheaper for you most likely to simply buy a rotary compression tester and do the test yourself, or find someone local to you who can help you by providing a comp test.
Always go with a OEM mazda filter, they are affordable and will filter better than almost any off the shelf filter.
While attending UF, it was Mazda of Gainesville with the ridiculous prices. I knew it was a ripoff when I interned in Cincinatti and their dealer only charged $40 for oil changes. Currently, my local dealer is O'Brien Mazda of Fort Myers, and from their reviews they seem to be good.
I checked the top rear spark plug earlier and it was dry with no engine coolant. The plug looked great too. I ordered the belts last week and received them earlier today. I just replaced them. The AC belt tensioner seemed fine. Should I still replace it? I'd have to order it.
I washed my K&N air filter, and is waiting for it to dry before I try to start the car again, probably tonight. If it starts I'll let it run for 10 minutes and monitor the temperature. If everything seems fine, I'll take it to Mazda for the compression testing and inspection. Please let me know if there is anything else I should be doing.
I started the car earlier tonight, and it cranked right up. I let it idle for about 15 minutes and the temperature gauge remained slightly on the colder side, where it has always been. I drove it for about 15 minutes and it sounded and drove exactly like it used to. It still revs very well like it always has. The engine coolant level has remained the same for 5 days. If there were coolant in the engine, I'd assume I'd have noticed a difference. I even scanned the car and no additional codes came up. So far the car seems exactly the same as before.
I won't celebrate just yet until I take the car to Mazda for a compression test, cooling system pressure test, belt tension check, and inspection. I'll keep you guys updated with how this turns out. Please let me know if there is anything else I should have Mazda do or service while I'm there.
Ricky - its funny you called this engine bay a rats nest since I found rat dropping on top just below the engine cover when cleaning. I live on a large ranch, so there's all kinds of wild animals everywhere. I don't know if rats chew on belts, but I'm sure the Florida heat helped to dry rotten my belts. I'm gonna fully clean the engine bay and build a garage to store my RX-8 and other cars in.
I'll keep you all updated with the trip to the dealer. Thanks again guys!
Sounds like you dodged a bullet, if you had badly overheated the engine you'd have known it by now--- talking breached coolant o-rings and warped rotor housings leading to all sorts of running issues. Sweet smelling white/grey smoke out the exhaust, pushing coolant into the overflow tank until it dumps out the vent etc.
08-11-2021, 05:58 PM
