A/C squeal in rain

[jandree22]

The advisor said he spoke with a few other area dealers and called Mazda, and no one had a better answer, but they all acknowledged they've seen the problem. I'll keep you all updated.

This is the most encouraging point made in the entire thread... this indicates it's widespread enough to get recognition and hopefully a TSB at some point in the future.

Oh, and it's encouraging that your problem went bye-bye too (thumb)

 

[doctorz]

Well, I have to hand it to my dealer that they continued to work with the problem, although I did have to time a visit during a thunderstorm to show them the squeal and thus get them to do the work. If it's as simple as replacing the belt it makes you wonder why no one else figured it out, although I wonder if plugging that hole was really the answer. If it happens again after we move (in ten days!) I'm hoping we get the same service and courtesy from our new dealer.

 

[rweatherford]

I'll bet that solves the problem. Now the real question. What is that hole for?

 

[Kojack]

can you get a picture of the hole for us.....

thanks!

 

[doctorz]

I was told the hole was for engine ventilation/cooling, but there were plenty of other holes in the cover and the dealer didn't think covering one would make a difference. I haven't physically seen the hole - I suppose I could stick my head under the car and look, but it's dark and it just rained, so not optimal conditions. If I can get a decent pic of it I'll post.

 

[Kojack]

ever get a photo of this hole? or can you tell me the location. I need this fixed ASAP

thanks!

 

[doctorz]

I took a look under the car a couple of weeks ago - the cover underneath the engine has a couple of round holes, probably two inches (maybe 4-5 cm) in diameter, so it should be pretty obvious what these holes are. I couldn't tell which hole was plugged, because I don't have jack stands and can't get underneath the car all the way, so I didn't take a picture - I thought it would be unsatisfactory. I can try tomorrow when it gets light out.

On the other hand, the warranty paper work I received from the dealer simply says the belt was replaced. The noise is definitely gone - we drove through a massive rain storm during our drive from Maryland to Arkansas - and there was no squeal. PM me if you want the dealer info, maybe that would help?

 

[fam]

Mine does the same thing too on my black 5 (the one i bought used). My inner fender is not fully bolted in as if it has had a run in with a curb etc. It squeals like a baby in the rain with the air\heat on, anything to make the unit run in the rain and its is loud and obnoxious. Ive been meaning to find ways of stopping the water to enter I just have had other priorities. If I can get the time I will definitely figure it out and post but if I get under my car my wife is gonna yell at me for something Im NOT doing in the house (yard\remodeling\taking care of the brats to give her a break etc.

 

[JMUDUKE90]

ac squeal

Will Mazda replace belts under warranty after 12K? I've got an 07 that I bought used with 29K and it does the same thing. I mentioned it do my local dealer and the service manager just sort of blew me off and said "oh its probably just a little belt squeal." Of course since I didn't buy it from them they probably don't give a crap!

 

[racerboy777]

I don't have a Mazda 5, but my 3 does the same thing in the rain, but I noticed that only if I go through a big puddle of water, not just rain. Figured that much water CAN get in to the rotating parts side of the car.

 

[dfskinner]

http://www.knizefamily.net/minimopar/beltnoise.html

Maybe this will help..... Belts are going to squeal when you get water on them..... Sounds like Mazada needs to look into a splash guard for the belt. I personally have never heard my belts squeal, but I've had this happen on other vehicles and water is the reason. I've looked under my 5 and the entire front is covered with what looks like a thick plastic guard.... this thing is connected to the fire wall on each wheel.... I'll take some pic's....... (2006 Mazada 5)

 

[doctorz]

Will Mazda replace belts under warranty after 12K?

We had 30K when the belt was replaced. The key was that I timed a visit to the dealer during a thunderstorm and drove until the tech heard it. Pain in the neck, but it worked.

 

[rweatherford]

Mine squeaked last week in a rain storm.

 

[MSP2003.5_Nick]

if you get them wet they will squeel just because they look s little friction adn slip slightly, if you are really worried about it get some belt dressing at your local parts store. It is a thick grease spray that will coat your belt and give it extra friction to stop slippage.

 

[JMUDUKE90]

AC squeal

I took my 5 in for some other work and told the dealer about the squeal in the rain. They told me there is a service bulletin on it now and if customer complained about squeal they would replace the belt and tensioner, which they did. We are in the middle of drought so who knows when I'll get to test the fix. Pray for rain!

 

[PGCist]

Anyone had the A/C moan? It just rained buckets this afternoon. I cam out to my car, started it up, clicked on the A/C on re-circ. No problem.

I had some condensation on the windshield so I flipped the a/c to front defrost. The A/C got LOUD all of a sudden and now it won't go away. There some vibration from the ducts as well.

Anyone else had this problem? Does it go away, or do I need to schlep up to the dealership?

 

[doctorz]

Schlep to the dealer, it will come back. BTW, if your dealer gives you a hard time, my (old) dealer in Maryland that worked on the A/C told me they couldn't find another dealer that had dealt effectively with this issue. PM me and I'll give you the details.

 

[TheMAN]

if the problem is not fixed yet... have your dealer's tech consult the september-october issue of Mazda's M-Tips memo, it described the fix