Alternator Drive Belt Tensioner

[schuttie2002]

Ok guys here we go. I've done a search about the alternator drive belts and found many things. Most people had the battery light come on and power die. They alos experienced a real loud squeeling before it all died. I've had the same problems. One day driving around the squeeling stopped and the charge light went on. I drove the car about another 20 miles to my house as i pulled in the driveway the power steering went and the car shut down. I'd say I was lucky there. Anyway I'm looking under the hood at the alternator and I see the drive belts fine. I pull on it and its completely slack. I look to the left and the tensioner is gone. Thinking back when the squeeling stopped it felt like I hit a stick. Turns out it was the tensioner belt. To make this all come together, what I'm wondering is how much does it cost for a new tensioner belt, and is it really hard labor and should i just take it to the shop.
sorry this was so long but 'd love some help.

[pelado]

First, there's no such thing as a tensioner belt. <p>When looking down from the passenger fender there are two belts, one on the left which drives the powering steering pump and the water pump with a belt tensioner that is accessed from underneath and one on the right which drives the A/C compressor and alternator with a belt tensioner tightened from above.<p>The belt that is totally slack could have had the tensioner bearing seize and the rotating wheel of the tensioner break off (I'm guessing here).

[zevirii]

The tensioner and bearing come together as one. It cost $75 from mazda. Very easy to install...

[Mx-Ze]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by zevirii:
The tensioner and bearing come together as one. It cost $75 from mazda. Very easy to install...<hr></blockquote><p>If it's just the bearing you can just change the bearing itself for 5 box Don't buy at mazda cause they charge 15$

[schuttie2002]

Thank you very much.

[Stealth]

I've had almost the exact same thing happen to me, almost on the same day, while driving 140 cliks on the 401! Lights go out, everything dies, can't steer, car dies. Luckily, I was right at an off ramp and managed to pull off.<p>I too had been hearing a high-pitched noise for about a week before it happened. Turns out that the wheel that gives tension to the alternator belt fall off. Everything died when the battery ran out. The guy charged me for half an hour of labour and for the part.<p>He also told me that the only way this wheel could come off is if it hadn't been replaced properly at the last service. I went back to Gyro Mazda and they refused to even consider that it could be their fault, or refund me for the towing.<p>Is this something that seems to be happening to older MX-3s? Mine's a 93.