Removal & Installation: Inspection

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 20 other vehicles, including the 2003 Mazda Protege5, 2003 Mazda Protege, 2002 Mazda Protege5, 2002 Mazda Protege, and 2002 Mazda 626. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Forcefully twisting the belt, turning it inside out, or allowing oil or grease on it will damage the belt and shorten its life.

Check timing belt for cracks, peeling, abrasion or other damage. Check tensioner bearing for looseness or roughness of rotation. Inspect tensioner spring for stretching. Tensioner spring free length should be 1.44" (36.6 mm). Measure spring free length from inside edge to inside edge of hooked portion of spring. See Figure. Replace parts as necessary. Install the tensioner. Rotate tensioner. If tensioner rotates with no resistance or does not rotate, replace tensioner.