How to Replace the Water Pump Belt on a 2000 Mazda Protege

The water pump belt on the 2000 Mazda Protege also operates the power steering pump. When the engine is running, the crankshaft pulley turns the belt around both accessory pulleys. The belt is tensioned inside the three pulleys by an adjustable pulley. The adjustment bolt on the bottom of the tensioner must be loosened to release the belt. Once the tensioner is loosened, the belt will slide straight out of all three pulleys.

Instructions

1

Park the 2000 Mazda Protege on a level surface and set the emergency brake. Pull the hood latch and raise the hood. Wait about an hour for the engine to cool off.

2

Slide under the front of the car and locate the adjustable tensioner bracket that is mounted to the bottom-front of the engine, between the power steering pump and the crankshaft pulley. The tensioner has a pulley that tensions the belt on one end, and an adjustment bolt on the other end of the tensioner bracket.

3

Loosen the bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley with a ratchet and a socket. Move the ratchet and socket to the adjustment bolt on the bottom of the tensioner. Turn the adjustment bolt counter-clockwise until the belt is loose enough to remove from the pulleys.

4

Pull the belt off the crankshaft pulley, power steering pump pulley and water pump pulley. Pull the belt out of the engine compartment and match the old belt to the new belt to ensure that the new belt is the proper size.

5

Slide back under the front of the car along with the new belt. Wrap the belt around the crankshaft pulley first. Route the belt around the other two pulleys. Inspect the belt to ensure that it is seated inside all three pulleys.

6

Turn the adjustment bolt clockwise with the ratchet and socket until the belt is properly tightened. Once the belt is tight, push inward on the belt with your hand. The belt must have no more than a half-inch of slack for the proper tension. Adjust the tensioner as needed to get a half-inch of slack in the belt. Once the belt is properly tensioned, use the ratchet and socket to completely tighten the bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley.

7

Crank the engine and watch the belt to ensure that it remains inside each pulley while the engine is running. Turn the engine off and recheck the tension of the belt. Adjust the belt as needed.