Hiya,

My 2015 Petrol Mazda 3 has recently started making a grating sound when the engine's running. I've attached a video of this showing the sound. Does anyone know what the problem might be? When the engine's hot the sound still persists and is accompanied by a squeaking sound coming from the area around the serpentine belt. I also have a video of this attached below.

Other symptoms are that the engine area gets really hot during the drive, but no warning lights come on. I can only sense the heat when I look under the bonnet. Air conditioning also does not work very well. From googling the best explanation I could find was that the serpentine belt or associated system is worn/old and this is affecting water pump and air-con function, which explains the heat under the bonnet and the bad air-con. The belt appears to be in good shape - no cracking or fraying that I can see so I assume it's the surrounding system. Does this fit with issues/experiences other folks have had with their Mazda 3?

The car is fairly old, approximately 82k miles. Engine oil is within the correct levels so doesn't appear to be that.

 

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