asimps512

I believe that my compressor has failed on my 04. this horrible noise is coming from a part driven off the crank, and i think its burning the belt. My question is, does anyone have a basic idea of what it costs to have that part replaced?

Roddimus Prime

it should still be under the 50K miles warranty....why pay out of your pocket to fix it??

asimps512

nope, there is 65k on it

Roddimus Prime

wow....thats a ton of miles for a 1.5 yr old car. I would take the car to a local shop (not the dealer) have them diagnose the problem and if they recommend buying new parts get with Ken from protegegarage.com about buying oem replacements.

asimps512

or i could just pay to have the a/c disconntected. since it is the middle of feb.

snap-on

Since the AC drives on a stand alone belt you can just cut it. There is no tensioner and the belt is a one time use item. I would venture to say the parts alone are close to a grand to repair.

Roddimus Prime

there HAS to be a tensioner or else the belt would just slip all the time. Cutting the belt off is fine but it's a band-aid fix to the bigger problem.

snap-on

I know it sounds strange but there really is no tensioner. The Belt must be cut off to replace and a installation tool comes with the new belt.

Roddimus Prime

I'll take a look later and see.

snap-on

It is odd but you will see.

The same thing goes for the water pump belt on the 3.0 Duratec's. (since 05)

I really don't want to come in here and confront an Administrator right out of the gate.

Roddimus Prime

no it's cool. I've worked as a mechanic for many years and never seen a belt driven accessory without some kind of tensioner.

snap-on

This what I dug up from a search

A/C BELT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Applicable Models

# 2004 - Mazda3 VIN Range: 000000 - ZZZZZZ;
Symptoms

# OA0 SERVICEABILITY
# OD0 OTHERS
MTOL - 4240 Dealer Repair Information


The workshop manual recommends special fitting hardware be used to
install a new A/C belt and to cut the existing belt in order to remove
it. (Reference pages 01-10-3 and 01-10-4.) The fitting hardware
assists in A/C belt installation due to the absence of an
idler/adjustment pulley.

Please order A/C belt kit p/# LFY1-15-SAX which includes a belt,
fitting hardware, and instructions. Because the fitting hardware
is designed for a one time use only, the kit must be ordered each
time the A/C belt is serviced.

I sent you a PM.

Roddimus Prime

good deal. That's the oddest thing ever! I didn't keep my 3S long enough to check it out instantly.

pm replied. Good info.