Water Pump Drive Belt: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Mazda 3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the generator drive belt. (See GENERATOR DRIVE BELT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Apply a clean cloth to the water pump drive belt as shown in the figure.

Fig 1: Applying Clean Cloth To Water Pump Drive Belt
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Pull the cloth in the direction of the arrow and rotate the crankshaft pulley clockwise.

Fig 2: Rotating Crankshaft Pulley Clockwise
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
CAUTION:
- To prevent damaging the drive belt, do not stop rotating the crankshaft pulley while performing the removal procedure (with inserted cloth between drive belt and water pump pulley).
NOTE:
- The rib of the drive belt can be slid from the groove of the water pump pulley by rotating the crankshaft pulley while pulling the cloth in the direction of the arrow.
Remove the water pump drive belt.