AC "squeal"?

[Mntnbkr]

learn to search
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4051608&postcount=38

Still no TSB...thanks for the help.

A/C belt. Interesting thing is that they poured water over all the belts and couldn't reproduce the squeal. It was only when I took a dealer tech out in a thunderstorm that they decided to replace the belt. The fix may very well be covering that hole in the skid plate, though, because they did that at the same time.

Is this the hole directly below the oil filter in the center of the plastic shield? At some point, one of the 3 highly qualified Mazda dealers (read sarcasm) I have taken the 5 to for service decided to dremel this hole even bigger so they could fit tools or neanderthal hands in there better. Since I believe this is an even bigger entry point for water and wind noise I am going to insist the dealer replace this shield during my next visit...after all, a dealer did it, so it only seems fair that MOA should pop for the replacement fix as one of their representative companies did it.
Has anyone else had to do this or get this replaced?
Take a look at your shield 5-ers...I've heard the 'dremel the hole' trick is fairly common.
Cheers.

 

[07MZ5SA]

..... one of the 3 highly qualified Mazda dealers (read sarcasm) I have taken the 5 to for service decided to dremel this hole even bigger so they could fit tools or neanderthal hands in there better....

That's truly amazing!!!

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Has anyone else had to do this or get this replaced? Take a look at your shield 5-ers...I've heard the 'dremel the hole' trick is fairly common. Cheers.

Ummm, the service station here charges me $30.00
to take the 'plastic shield off' to do an oil change
and replace the filter. Forking losers! (loser)

So now that I've got a $1,000,000 auto service
center (Base auto hobby shop) at my disposal,
for $5 an hour / free I'm going to do all the oil
changes maint. on BOTH my car and my wive's
car from now on. (alright)

Peace!(rei)

 

[Mntnbkr]

Ummm, the service station here charges me $30.00
to take the 'plastic shield off' to do an oil change
and replace the filter. Forking losers! (loser)

Hey at least they take it off...Mazda dealers in the States just cut the shield wide open. Got to love the quality of work.

Good for you for having acccess to the shop and to do your own changes - go for it...you will know it was done right.

Just remember to replace the oil fill cap when you are done...on my last oil change my dealer learned that not replacing it tends to be bad...oil everywhere...flatbed tow back at their expense...another oil change...clean the engine bay...etc. Morons.

Better to do it yourself.

Cheers.

 

[Sighter]

There is no tensioner people! The belt is short and only operates the AC. The belt is designed to be a slip fit. They squeel when wet.

The belt and ac compressor are on the very bottom of the engine and are very difficult to keep dry in rain or standing water. I must say it is a less than desirable arrangement.

My belt looks great even at 97k but I am replacing it and will also look to block off additional hole(s) that allow water in based on the info from some of the other thoughtful folks on this thread.

Just got the phantom sliding door lock problem too. Oh joy.