Has anybody replaced the belt tensioner on a CX-5 Skyactiv 2.5 themselves? If so I would like to know how difficult the task is - I think there two bolts holding it in place and they look difficult to access. I'm also planning to replace both belts at the same time.

Thanks

 

I guess the answer is "no one on this forum has replaced the belt tensioner themselves (who cared to respond)."

I got a dealer estimate for doing this. It was $580. I also got an independent shop estimate. It was $650.

My question is: For a 2017 CX5 that has 27,000 miles on it, from the time the fluid film is first noticed on the hydraulics, how much longer/more miles can the tensioner be trusted? Or should we just wait until we hear a bit of belt slippage to drop half a grand.

 

The majority of auto forums these days have very few active DIYers, and this is certainly one of those. Not much DIY information is ever exchanged here.

I'm assuming that your vehicle is completely out of warranty. Nevertheless, this tensioner leaking is a systemic issue, and has been discussed extensively on other Mazda forums. And Mazda has also released this TSB, which describes the issue and the repair.

So I recommend that you contact Mazda Corporate and open a case with them. Although a TSB does not imply providing extended coverage outside of warranty, Mazda will sometimes offer partial or even full compensation for well know problems, particularly if you've had maintenance done by them. You can reference the TSB, and mention that this leaking tensioner issue has been discussed multiple times online by Mazda owners. No guarantee that they will do anything for you, but certainly worth a try IMO.

AFA your question, just keep monitoring the tensioner, and it's likely to be ok as long as it remains only a light weep. And if there's no help from Mazda forthcoming, then I suggest getting additional quotes from other indy shops. The cost of the tensioner is around $150 retail, and the work should take a competent pro no more than 1 hour (for warranty reimbursement, Mazda pays their dealer techs .5 hour to do this job). So IMO you should be able to find a shop that will make this repair for quite a bit less than $650.