Hi - my friend is changing serpentine belt on his Mazda 2.3 DISI Turbo. PITA to get the belt back on he called me that a piece of aluminium broke loose there. He had huge difficulties to get the belt on; so he drilled a hole throunh the fender to ´reach the bolt; got a good grip there, and managed to do it But while turning the tension puller, something broke and aluminium part fell out.

Do you think the part is only from the tensioner frame - and can be fixed by changing the entire tensioner? I would appreciate, if good advise will be given; I understand you guys have seen the same before - have you?

Mazda 2.3L DISI Turbo

 

Welcome to the forum

Your friend should have look into the exact service method procedure before changing your belt.

 

Yes, he did. It is his car - he has Mazda mechanical repair manual. Looks to be so that it is difficult to replace the belt. I advised him to take out now the tensioner - obviously tensioner has cracked, as you say.

To get the belt changed, I'll help him. It cannot be that difficult to me; seen many of those, done many.

 

there is no factory procedure to cut a hole to access the belt and or tensioner. DIY improvision from what is a proper service instruction procedure often results in less than the expected results.

 

ok. I was not sure. But I believe you. Thanks for the advise - appreciate that.

 

I use ALLDATA in the shop which has virtually all service manual repairs and other vital service information on almost all auto manufactured vehicles in the USA, Canada and few other countries. Not all but I would guess 85% . While there are some wild service steps that do require some interesting service methods for Mazda I worded the phrase several ways and came up ZERO information cutting s hole in any Mazda for some service . LOL

My guess is your friend uses DIY wisdom and experience combined with proper steps and has come up with his short cuts that may work most of the time for him?

 

Yes, you are right. The hole did not however break the tensioner, but gave a good access to it for now and for future needs. Standard size hole - and he has a rubber plug ready for ir.

Now, after inspection, it is clear that the aluminium frame of the tensioner has cracked.

Tensioner's frame cracked, when he turned the pulley hard. He had difficulties to get the old belt back over the pulley and turned the pulley hard - breaking it.