Snapped Belt - HELP!

[bayanrabbani]

This is what happened...

I have an '02p5 with about 94k miles on it. I was driving today near my place and floored it to get around this car in front of me, after i changed lanes, i noticed that my steering wheel wouldn't turn anymore unless i pulled it as hard as i could (luckily i was near home, adn i got there safe). i looked under the hood and checked all the fluids were find, then i noticed that the belt on my left side (so as i'm looking under the hood on the left side) has completely snapped off (i got a piece of it in my hand). i'm not sure what belt that is...but what do i do???

 

[Mazda_protege5]

It would help to answer your question if you have a picture of it.

 

[silver slotege]

go buy new belts. and with 94k, I would do ALL the belts. Timing, AC/PS, alternator/waterpump belts. You're lucky it is just the PS belt and not the timing. That could have been expensive.

 

[bayanrabbani]

thanks for the advice, yea i just wasn't sure what belt it is, i'll take some pictures tomorrow during day light and put 'em up. thanks again. also...how hard is it to change the power steering/ac belts?

 

[chuyler1]

That could have been expensive

Not really, unless you have to pay for the tow. The P5 has a non interference engine so if the belt goes you are left stranded but the engine will be fine.

But anyway, have all the belts replaced and if you haven't done the timing belt, now is a good time. It is recommended to inspect it at 60K and replace it at 115K. If you get it done professionally they should only charge you for the timing belt since replacing the other belts while they're in there is a piece of cake.

 

[bayanrabbani]

i searched the forums and looked online for a how-to on how to replace the power steering belt (i'll have to do the timing belt when i get some $$), and i couldnt' find anything. does anyone know something i could look at?

 

[silver slotege]

Chuyler, everything i have seen on the P5 2.0 says it is an interference motor. I will check into it, but I am 90% sure it is. At least that is what I have seen. But that is awesome if it is not!!!

 

[silver slotege]

i searched the forums and looked online for a how-to on how to replace the power steering belt (i'll have to do the timing belt when i get some $$), and i couldnt' find anything. does anyone know something i could look at?

Search on here. Someone has posted a complete manual. That along with the walkthrough will get you your timing belt replaced. Then just look at the routing of the accessory belt and you can see how to do that one. Its pretty easy. Getting the right tension is the trick though. good luck.

 

[silver slotege]

http://www.theautoshop.com/timing.html#MAZDA

Says here it is an interference motor. Just something to think about.

 

[ForceFed]

It says it is..but its been discussed time and time again...And I beleive the correct concensus is that it is NOT in interference motor.
Even though its stated places that it is...It is not.

 

[2000VRsex]

I had this happen in my mk4 it was my serpentine belt...super easy to change man..and that was on a euro car, so this should be a walk in the park man....and ya i keep seeing links to places that say it is a interference motor but everyone says its not...I believe that everyone here is very good with these cars an d have good knowledge about them...but ill tell you one thing..if it does break and it turns out to be a interference motor...im damn sure noone here is gonna pay for my s***....but really i dont think it is...mines at 110xxxmi and i havent changed mine..dont plan to till later...dont wanna get caught messing aroudn with towing.

 

[chuyler1]

I have been on this forum for 5 years and am 100% sure it is NOT an interference engine. It has been discussed before and that is the conclusion.

 

[bayanrabbani]

pics

here are some pics of what it looks like (various angles)...any ideas based off of these?

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Put a belt back on it & drive more...........

 

[bayanrabbani]

hahaha thanks for the obvious answer, let it be known, i'm not going to pretend like i know anything about this stuff, so what belt is it that broke? also...is it a bad idea to drive the car about 1 mile to the nearest mechanic to et a belt on there?

 

[_Sloteg_]

here are some pics of what it looks like (various angles)...any ideas based off of these?

What kind of "idea" are you looking for?

If you want to know what belt is missing in that picture, it is the AC/PS belt. Notice that there isn't a belt on those round thing's (pullies) on your AC compressor or Power steering pump? That's your problem. Do you self a favor and change both belt's at the same time as other people have already said...the two belt's do not cost that much and they are not really that hard to change...



Good luck with it!

 

[bayanrabbani]

i'd rather not put on a belt myself, is it a bad idea to drive it to a mechanic about a mile away even though it's nearly impossible to turn the car? is it going to damage it anymore?

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

OK, it's hard to steer & your AC won't cool because that's what that belt runs. It may be hard to drive but it shouldn't hurt to go any short distances. You did it to get it home right? The other one that runs the water pump & alternator is the critical one, you'll have no pwr to run anything real quick & it will overheat due to not turning the wp. Do not drive without that one. The timing belt broke will not run the car.It will not start. Built in safety feature.lol. Get the 2 drive belts. Go more. Search for how-tos & belt part numbers.

 

[buttthrax]

This belt is much easier to change than the alternator/wp belt. The power steering pump is the tensioner for this belt.

 

[blackp5]

That belt takes like 30 mins to an hour to put on. Do it yourself.