Protege 5 Belt problem

[Chim64]

Hey guys,

Search this came up with some results but didn't see a answer. I currently have a 2002 protege 5 with 96000 miles on it. It drives amazing and runs amazing minis one problem. When i have the heat on past 2 the belt seems to make noise. Its worse when i have the lights on. Now i notice when i do have the lights on and once i starts making noise i can rev the car a little bit and the lights seem to get brighter and the noise stops. The only time the noise starts is when i stop at stop signs. It seems like its getting a little worse with the colder weather. There is no smells and no look of wear and tear on the belts but i could be wrong. I figured some of you guys might have a good start of what i can do to figure this out before it becomes a huge problem. As for money i am a broke student so try to give me some suggestions were it doest cost me more then 800 bucks haha. I think its a alt belt but not sure. and if the alt belt is easy to replace then if i can get a link of wear i can get one would be nice to haha.

Thanks alot!
Chim64

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Is it noise like belts slipping, or something else? If it's belts slipping, all you have to do is tighten them up. It sounds like the A/C belt, but I had that issue, tightened mine, and now I have to tighten my Alternator belt as well. I've heard often that tightening one requires the tightening of the other. The shop manual has the instructions for it...it's relatively easy to do.

 

[ganzhimself]

I'll have to look into this, because my car is making similar noises and it seems to be in the area of the belts. Will have to check the factory manual and see how to tighten them up, as it's damn annoying and embarassing.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Yes, the belt loose will squeal when loaded up with extra lighting or heat/AC. This car actually runs the AC compressor when you have it on heat with the fan blowing so that is why the heat actually causes a squeal. The alt spins up and makes the lights right vs. dim. Just tighten both belts until no noise. There are how-tos on this as well as disabling the automatic AC function in heat/defrost modes. It involves removing the climate control circuit board panel & cutting one of the paths to disable this action where the only time the AC compressor comes on is when you press the AC button on the dash. There is a how-to for this called disabling auto AC. Yes, belts seem to be picky about tension on this car more than any other I've had & not just after putting fresh ones on & dealing with the break-in stretch. Put lightened aluminum pulleys/UDP and it makes it even a bit more touchy to keep them quiet. Cheap belts also play into this. Gates micro V are the least pain in ass ones IMO. Used gatorbacks & was constant hassle.

 

[ganzhimself]

Hopefully a quick tightening of them will alleviate my headache for now, will investigate better options come spring when it warms up...

 

[P-Funk!]

If the belts are glazed from slipping - you will have to replace them (instead of just a tightening..)

 

[Chim64]

UPDATE: Fixed it yesterday. Replaced the belt everything was fine after that .

 

[the_mgroove]

I'll have to look into this, because my car is making similar noises and it seems to be in the area of the belts. Will have to check the factory manual and see how to tighten them up, as it's damn annoying and embarassing.

Same here! It is embarrasing. But I have to agree it can be the alt or acc belts. Mine squeals almost every time it starts and I'm looking to getting them fixed this week. These belt problems seem to exist among our P5s....are the OEM belts just below par?


Chim64 - how much did you end up paying for the belts?

 

[P-Funk!]

NO, but like any belt it will stretch after time (100K miles in my case). Also, right after replacement they may require a re-torque after a few hundred miles.

 

[kubus_MP5]

Same problem.
I just had both belts replaced. bought them from mazdapartsonline.com (site merchant) and had my mechanic change both for $100 (1.4 hrs labor). Sounds like a new car again. Actually it's like a whisper now.
I have the old belts, and yes they look fine, except when you run your finger through the under side, they are glazed over.

 

[Chim64]

paid 45 for them and had them installed.