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Time for a belt change?

6.1K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  nerfer  
#1 ·
Hey everyone, I noticed a couple of nights ago that as my car was running, it sounded like there was a slight ticking sound coming from the belt and pulleys. Im currently at about 70,000 miles and I havent changed the belt yet and I was wondering if it was time to do so?

I called up a Mazda dealer today and asked them how much service costs to replace it and they told me that they charge $180 for both the A/C belt and serpentine. No thank you, I think Ill change it myself.

I was just wondering if there are any clear tell-tale signs that its time to change the belt?

This if for a 2010 Mazda 3 2.0L. Thank you for your help
 
#6 · (Edited)
You should be able to push the belt in about 1/2", typically. There shouldn't be any side-to-side movement near the pulleys.

A bad belt usually squeals, it doesn't tick. A ticking sound is more likely to come from the lifters on the cylinders or maybe the wheel/axle? Does the sound speed up when you rev the engine, or is it tied to road speed?
My dad had a pickup with lifters that ticked for years and it still ran fine, but that was a long time ago.