View Full Version : More Engine Whining!
Well, as most of you guys know, ever since the cold has come in, my 06 mazda 3 has been making gurgling noises on cold startups. Well, ive had it in and out of the dealer 2wice a total of 4 days leaving it overnight. First time, they found a noisy tensioner which they replaced. I took it home, and had the same problem the next morning. I gave it back and left it overnight so they could try it in the morning. They gave me a call saying they heard no noise. So i took my keys and left, on my way out, the noise was happening, so i had the senior technician come in with me, he said the noise didnt sound ubnormal. So he got out we popped the hood and he made me press on the gas and brakes at the same time, i got it to make the sound, and he heard it. He said he would check other cars on monday to see if he can reproduce it. If not, hed take my car and check maybe a heat shield was loose or other things.
Anywho, on my way home today, i noticed that if i put it into manual mode, get it up to about 5000 rpms, then the sound dissappears after that. I also noticed that at exactly 70 km/h, if i keep the gas pedal constant so i stay at 70km/h the rpms will go from 2 to 1.5 and make a spuealing sound. It happens everytime, hot engine, cold engine always at 70km/h. THIS is actually really really bizzarre and seems like they will never find the problem. Im thinking if they dont fix it, i would bring it to another mazda dealer. Is there anyone who can help me out with some ideas i can share with him that he can check out ? Its reallly pisssing me off because its SO DAMN ANNOYING in the morning.
TheMAN
11-06-2009, 11:13 PM
sounds like something weird with the tranny
From the tranny really? The sound doesnt sound like its coming from there, to me, it sounds like the belts are squealing. The thing is, the tech told me to press on the gas and brakes, so the gears arent moving in that case yet it makes the sound. Its a tough one to figure out. Theyve replaced the tensioner, but have not replaced the belts. Is there more than 1 tensioner ? They've replaced the tensioner that is at the top of the engine, (when you look at the belts, u can see the tensioner on the top, is shiny new)
Donutz
11-07-2009, 02:08 PM
There is only 1 tensioner. The belts might need to be replaced as well.
I was told, and from me just looking at it, there is no sign of wear on the belts, no cracks, or of it being dried out. Im only at 60k km's belts usually are usually changed much higher?
Donutz
11-07-2009, 05:44 PM
Search the forum for info on this, but someone here had the tensioner replaced and noise was still present after. They had the belts replaced and the sound disappeared.
Flagrum3 says it in your other thread; the belts must be replaced as per the TSB: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=38170&highlight=belt+tensioner+tsb
http://www.protegefaq.net/tsb/01-003-05.html
CanSpeed 3
11-07-2009, 06:15 PM
You cant change the tensioner without changing the belts. They are the new one time stretch belts.
Are you sure your not just hearing your intake? OEM im guessing. My car growls in the morning (cold) aswell. Every mazda 3 does it. You should record the noise, hard to understand the problem with words.
Donutz
11-07-2009, 06:21 PM
I just read your thread on m3f, and you've given info there that isn't on this thread. I.e., your car shutting down. The guys there 'might' be correct in their assessment of the torque converter being bad. It's easier to push to have your belts replaced first though (less costly for parts and labour than looking at / replacing the torque converter).
Well, the problem is, im no genious at cars, i cant really argue about something that i honestly dont understand. From reading around seems as the belts need to be replaced. I asked the service tech at the time before, and he said they did not replace belts. So what should my argueing point be for them to change out the belts? Im gonna call him on the phone, let him know on monday about how when i get to 70 km/h i get the squealing. By wat i dont understand is why is it at EXACTLY 70km/h always? And if it really is the belts, why does it only happen in the morning and after about 30 mins its gone?
Oh forgot to add, i tried recording it by strapping down a voice recorder in the engine bay, but it was all fuzzy. Maybe ill try holding it with me inside the car, but i doubt ill be able to catch it. Ill try though
Donutz
11-07-2009, 10:48 PM
I think you could argue the point that canspeed3 pointed out; that the belts are one time stretch belts. Also, if they replaced the belt under the guidance of the TSB the document indicates that the belts must be replaced.
And is there only 1 belt? or what belts specifically need to be changed? The guys at this dealership are morons. The sound is LOUD and clear, and hes like doesnt sound ubnormal. Who are u kidding buddy. Worst coems to worst, if they wont change it out, im going to dilawri bank street mazda forget performance mazda.
Ive printed off these TSB's so i can show them,
http://www.coremazda.com/tsb/mazda3/01-003-05-drive-belt-tensioner-breakage.pdf this one is for the belt that neeed to be replaced because of the tensioner
and this one here , im not sure if the noise im experiencing is a water spalshing noise, but it sure does sound as if your taking water in your mouth and gargling:>!
http://www.finishlineperformance.com/pdf/mazda3/bulletin/09-017-04-1277b.pdf
Any last ideas i should mention to them ?
Donutz
11-08-2009, 01:49 PM
Not that I can think of. A word of advice, when presenting the dealer with a TSB; try to be nice about it. It will get you further than if you are rude or aggressive. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I went out today to play around, and what i did was i tried the car at cold, and it made the sound, then i sprayed wd 40 all around the belts, and tada , its gone! No more squealing! Which means the belts need to be changed out. Im going back to the dealer and letting them know that when they change the tensioner the belts gotta go to. The only thing that was still noticable, is at 70km/h it drops rpms and squeals but again im guessing the belts have to do with it.
I was told that the TSB where the belts need to be changed along with the tensioner is only for 2004 - models. Mine is 2006 and when replacing the tensioner the belts dont need to be replaced. So he told me the only way if i wanted to not pay was for them to sew the belt to make it tigher. Should i do this? Or should i just go buy some belt dressing?
Flagrum_3
11-09-2009, 06:28 PM
I was told that the TSB where the belts need to be changed along with the tensioner is only for 2004 - models. Mine is 2006 and when replacing the tensioner the belts dont need to be replaced. So he told me the only way if i wanted to not pay was for them to sew the belt to make it tigher. Should i do this? Or should i just go buy some belt dressing?
I'd seriously start thinking about switching dealers.The TSB may be for 2004's but the problem persisted thru-out the following years.Mine is an '05 and belts were replaced along with the tensioner as I mentioned several times.
_3
Flagrum_3
11-09-2009, 06:29 PM
wtf d-post??
Well, the belts are only covered 3 yrs which means im over it by 6 months. They said they cant make any exceptions as they wouldnt be able to reclaim the money for it. But i was able to get it so that i buy the belts, and they put them in free labor. So, 50 bucks for drivebelt + 20 bucks for ac so a total of 70 bucks plus taxes. Its not bad since i would prob need to do it in the future for alot more.
But, there are many bad reviews about this performance mazda dealer, but i called around, and they told me the same, that if the belt was in ok condition upon inspection they wouldnt change it.
Reviving the thread ! Been a long time but ITS BACK!:flaming
So, i had the belts changed last yr for 70 bucks, the serpentine along with the ac belt and that squealing sound was gone for good .. Now the cold weather has started to kick in again and im getting that horrible squealing in the mornings at low RPM's.. Aroudn 1500 - 2000 its a nasty sound that makes the car sound like a clunker...
Parts replaced :
Belts (A/C AND SERPENTINE)
Belt tensioner
Again, if some sort of liquid is sprayed on the belts that squealing goes away. When repalcing belts, do they come with some sort of warranty from the dealer?
Over the past week ive been noticing that the sound is getting worse as the cold weather kicks in. Everyday ive sprayed a small amount of wd-40 on the different pulleys to narrow it down. The pulley on the alternator checked out fine as well as the pulley that is under is which i am assuming is the power steering pulley. Now, in the back where the 2 belts meet (the ac belt and the serpentine), when i spray wd 40 on that the sound is gone. What is in that location that can be causing that squealing?
M&D Executive Auto
09-25-2010, 09:11 PM
Over the past week ive been noticing that the sound is getting worse as the cold weather kicks in. Everyday ive sprayed a small amount of wd-40 on the different pulleys to narrow it down. The pulley on the alternator checked out fine as well as the pulley that is under is which i am assuming is the power steering pulley. Now, in the back where the 2 belts meet (the ac belt and the serpentine), when i spray wd 40 on that the sound is gone. What is in that location that can be causing that squealing?
The Mazda3's do not have a power steering pulley, there is a electronic hydrolic pump in your car instead of the old power steering belt driven pump. Usually it's the serpentine belt tensioner that will go and make that noise. I am calling it a serpentine belt because only the a/c drives off a small little belt at the bottom, the serpentine belt drives everything else. If you are handy replace the belt tensioner pulley and it should go away. The pulleys are designed for ease of installation unlike old style pulley that usually had 2 bolts to loosen to adjust it, this ease of installation is also the downfall of a less than longer life and they do make noise after some clicks on the engine.
Hope this helps
Dave
The tensioner was replaced last june by the dealer they thought it was the problem. It made no difference. Soon after i decided to replace the belts too. It solved the problem for a bit, but soon came back. (it probably didnt go away, but because the warm weather was coming in at that time i didnt notice it ) ... So basically everything has been changed that would normally cause the problem.
What pulley is it near the bottom where the ac and serpentine are sitting side to side? It is something in that area. As soon as i sprayed it, the sound was gone.
TheMAN
09-29-2010, 04:57 PM
my car has been making chirping sounds (it doesn't squeal... just intermittent chirping noise) on cold starts for a while.... goes away after 5 mins.... I used my gates belt checker and it shows it is pretty much gone... so I am holding off on belt replacement till the noise gets worse
Mine is a churping / gurgling noise as well.
Im bringing it in most likely on friday for a test drive with the service manager.
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