QuestionHey Thanks do much for your prompt reply.
1. I should have mentioned that although it sounded a bit like an alternator, I discounted that by taking all the belts off and checking for noise. My guess is that you are right, the timing belt must be too tight. Strange though, it makes exactly the same noise as before I replaced the water pump and the belt tensioner pulley. Any thoughts?
2. I looked carefully for any sign of cracks on the inside of the belt, and it seemed perfect, but perhaps that doesn't mean everything. If it does need a new one, how should go about changing the timing belt (removing the crankshaft pulley looks difficult)
Again,
Thanks for your assistance.
John Saunders
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Answer -
Hi John
Ya the ford is pretty close to the 323, As most of the other mazdas are too. The best way to check for a belt noise is to take 1 belt off at a time then start the vehicle. That will determin witch pully(s) or belt the noise may be coming from. You should be able to spin any pully by spinning it by hand and listen for a noise or feel if the pully may be seized. Another way to check that is with a stethascope and touch it directly behind the pully. With the timing belt, it is a complicated thing to do because the crank and the cam has to be timed and set properly to run good or run at all., But alot of the time the noise comes from the timing belt. The timimng belt will make a high pitch whining noise if the belt is OVER TIGHTENED. Pull the timimng belt cover off and check, You should be able to grab the timing belt, Try to twist the belt, If it is properly ajusted you should be able to turn it about 45 degrees. You can run the vehicle with tat cover off to and puck for a seized or loose pully under the covers. BUt you must leave the crank opully on. If you have any further question, Perhaps on doing a timing belt just get back to me and im more than willing to help.
Good luck
Chris P
AnswerHi John, Thanks for the comment
The best way to remove the crank pully is usually with an impact gun and zip the bolt off, If it has a manual tranmission it is a little easier to improvise if you dont have air tools. Just put the vehicle in gear with the wheels turned all the way to the right and crack the crank bolt loose. with the vehicle in gear the crank will stay stationary. If it is automatic it will be a little more difficult.you can try to hold on to the cam gear with a wrench and lossen the crank pully but tightening it will be another issue because you dont want to put that much pressure on a new timing belt.. After you get the pully off the hardest part is just lining up the cam and the crank pully. The pullys can NOT evn be off 1 tooth. But his is not an interference engine so it wont be too bad if you mess up the first or the second time, This takes patience and everybody has problems doing timing belts, BUt when you do them all the time you get to know the ins and outs of doing these. If you have any other questions you know where to find me
good luck
Chris P
