We took the Miata back to the dealer on Tuesday for them to adjust the accessory belts to eliminate the squeal. They almost got it. We aren’t taking it back to Columbia for them to have another crack at it. When the service rep returned the car Donna questioned him on why it squealed and what did they do to fix it. He tried to explain that they had to adjust the belt by making it tighter so it wouldn’t slip. But that they had to be careful that they didn’t tighten it too much or they could ruin the bearing in the accessories. He said if it still does it, just bring it back (I guess he thinks we live around the corner.)
It still squeals, but only briefly when shifting while driving the car spiritedly. When you floor it with the A/C on, the A/C will cut out until you let up to shift, at which point the A/C clutch re-engages and chirps the belt. We didn’t notice it until later in the week and we for sure aren’t going to take it back to them. When I get Clunk & Thunk to help me with my shock installation we’ll try and tighten it up a bit more.
I wish I had thought of it at the time Mr. Lazywrench was explaining their belt adjustment period, because I should have asked, “So, what you are saying is that after making over 800,000 Miatas, Mazda’s service manual for car says that to adjust the accessory belt tension, You need to make the belt so tight that they don’t squeal, but not so tight that you ruin the bearings.
From a Miata Forum member red-in-la (I removed the metric stuff.)
Drive Belt Deflection Check
1. Verify the drive belt deflection when the engine is cold, or at least 30 min after the engine has stopped. Apply moderate pressure 22 ft/lb midway between the specified pulleys.
| Drive belt | New | Used | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generator | 0.22?0.27 | 0.24?0.29 | 0.31 |
| P/S+A/C | 0.28?0.31 | 0.36?0.39 | 0.45 |
What do you think? The technician didn’t have the right tool so he just winged it? Or manual, who reads the manual?
We went to the New Moon for breakfast this morning instead of Sunday to beat the crowd. We had two muffins and a bottled water.
Tip: 51¢
Spent Today: $8.00
Year to Date: $1613.44
Meals out, 94 of a possible 624.
The above numbers reflect tomorrow’s meals as well because we two extra muffins for Sunday’s breakfast. If we eat out for lunch or supper tomorrow I’ll change the totals.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/07: 298
Here is a good a cheap trick to stop the belt from squealing. Take a small amount of valve grinding compound and put it on the belt. My old mechanic showed this to me on my pick up truck. Worked there, should work here. let me know
Jim
The car goes into the shop of a local guy for shocks on Tuesday. I’ll ask him to tighten things up. If that fails to rid the noise permanently I’ll give that a try. Thanks.