MX-3.com

Quick info.
Stock 4cyl MX3 with aprox 137k miles on it. Sister is the 2nd owner and recently bought it. The old owner has all the service history with Mazda and it was followed by the book. Oil, Timing Chain, tune-ups ect.

The car has always had a squeel apon start up and I figured it was a belt. Swapped both belts out and they have great tension. The squeel is just as bad if not worse. Squeel will be there for about 1 full minute after start up now.

Poking around under the hood when it is squeeling I think I found where it is comming from. I do not believe it is a belt issue. I think it is the pulley just above the crank pulley. Not having a Chilton or other book in front of me I'm not sure what that pulley drives.

Is it just an Idler pulley? Is it something I can pop off with my pulley puller and find a way to grease it up?

Or a water pump pulley?

This noise sucks. Thanks in advance

If it in the pully right above and has 3 bolts, then that is the Water Pump Pulley. If it is squeling the Water pump bearings are prolly going out or something...

Yes it is the upper pulley straight above the crank..

Is there anything on the web explaining a water pump swap?

I just want to make sure it's not like the older Celica's where the timing belt runs across the water pump as well.

the wp on the 4cyl is easy,and inexpensive

35 bucks I think on autozone

how long ago was belt/pump changed, you might need just to tighten up belt if its squeeling, any moisture on it?

I checked the tension on the belts 2 days after I changed them. Fired it up to find the squeel. Trust me it's not a belt. I don't remember seeing anything about a water pump in the service history.

if it's the water pump, and u intend to swap it. Also replace -> timing belt, and the timing belt tensioners. (make sure you get the water pump seal, should come with the pump)

But it's a pretty easy job - and a air wrench or something like that to get the crank pulley off will make the job that much simplier

So the timing belt is running in front of the pump like I was thinking.. Ok.. Now I know it's not a 1 hour job and will do it on a sat.. Thanks