Buying a car is a big budget for most people, nevertheless, to this one you will have to add the routine service of your car, and for some routine service works the bill can be quite high. It is so logical to ask yourself when is the best time to carry out these repairs and not do them “for nothing”. In this article we are going to describe to you when to change the timing belt on your Mazda 3? For that, first of all, we are going to discover why it is necessary to do this work of routine service, then, when to do the timing belt of your Mazda 3 , then, we are going to fairly quickly demonstrate to you how this replace is done, and, finally, how much it costs to do the timing belt of a Mazda 3.

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Why do we need to change the timing belt of an Mazda 3?

As we explained to you in introduction, changing a timing belt on a Mazda 3 represents a considerable budget, so we figure out that you are hesitant to do it and to allow you to figure out the value of this fix, so we will fairly quickly describe why it is so important to do it on time.

Your Mazda 3’s timing belt function

The timing of a Mazda 3 has a vital purpose in the smooth running of your engine. In actual fact, it will have the mission to synchronize the valves and pistons, and to make the link between the camshaft, the water pump, the crankshaft and the injection pump . It will enable the engine unit to work properly, and avoid any risk of engine breakage. The shorter the distance your vehicle travels, the more your belt will be solicited when starting the engine unit.

What are the risks if the timing belt is not changed on time?

The problem with the timing of a Mazda 3 is that it is internal to the engine unit. And as a result, contrary to an accessory belt, it is difficult to visually verify its state. So you might think that this belt is just an insignificant part, but the risks you take if you don’t change it in time are substantial. If the timing of your Mazda 3 breaks, you will undoubtedly have to change the engine of this one. In actual fact, the pistons will hit the valves and destroy them, and the camshaft will as well break. The faster the engine is running at the moment of the breakage, the more significant the consequences are. It is consequently vital to make your timing belt on time .

When to do the timing belt of its Mazda 3?

We will now answer the question that you all have to ask yourselves, when to make the timing belt of a Mazda 3? It is required to know that each engine unit is different and as we explained above, we must not miss on the replacement of this part. The more we advance in time the more the manufacturers improve the timing belt and normally the more recent your Mazda 3 will be the less you will have to get worried about your belt. Nevertheless, check out your Mazda 3’s service book to get the exact life and maximum mileage you can accomplish before you do the timing . Generally, timing belts have a life of 5 to 10 years and a maximum mileage between 80, 000 and 200, 000km .

How to change the timing belt of an Mazda 3?

As the timing belt of a Mazda 3 represents a high budget, one can rationally question if it is not possible to change it yourself. Sadly it is very difficult to access and only the most knowledgeable amateur mechanics and the most equipped with tools will have the ability to reflect on this operation, we will however fairly quickly describe the different steps to be executed to change this timing belt:

  • Place the Mazda 3 on stands, and based on your engine unit you may have to remove a wheel. Remove the timing gearboxes
  • .

  • To get this done, you must buy the timing kit so that all the engine unit elements remain in the right position, in any other case your engine unit will break. Remove the other components that bother you (damper pulley for example).
  • Remove the old distribution after loosening the tension rollers. Before positioning the new one, you must take out all the tensioning rollers and the water pump.
  • Place the new water pump.
  • Install the new tension rollers, pay attention to the location of each one.
  • Install the new distribution of your Mazda 3 by respecting the markers.
  • Tension the belt as indicated by the manufacturer’s specifics.
  • Put the rest of it back together.
  • Check that the engine unit is running properly.

Replacing the timing belt how much does it cost?

And finally, we’ll try to give you an idea of the price if you want to change the timing belt of your Mazda 3 . Take note that if you do it at the mechanic of the brand or at a car center like Feu Vert the price can vary quite a lot, but in general we estimate that the price of the distribution varies between 400 and 900 euros , based on the place where you do it and your engine unit. Please be aware that the kits include the belt, idlers and water pump.

To get more tips on the Mazda 3, take a look at the Mazda 3 category.