Just wondering does the timing belt just go suddenly or can you tell when its about to go?

You can visually check it for cracks or general wear and tear but it will go when it's ready!!

The good thing is that the V6s (and maybe the 4 cylinders; not sure) are 'safe' engines meaning that the valves are protected from being squished in the event of a cambelt break. This doesn't mean that the engine will like the sudden change in forces however so best to change it as per your servicing schedule rather than risking it.

[b]ALL V6 owners[/b] Don't make the same mistake I did and ask a non-Mazda garage to change the Cambelt cos if they are as worthless as Wallis & Son in Barton they'll tell you that they only discovered that you also have to change the ALTERNATOR belt AS WELL [b]AFTER[/b] they have put the engine back in!! "..we only noticed after the engine was put back.." I guess they must have had a mechanic who had such poor eyesight that he didn't notice a SECOND drivebelt and call to suggest changing that one too!! ..Bullsh!t and Bloody expensive labour too!

How do you change the belt on the 1.8/1.5. I sure hope you dont need to take the engine out

No, 1.8 and 1.5 don't need to have the engine out.

in fact, I've heard that it is possible to do it WITHOUT having the engine out; must depend on the level of skill of the technician! :P

Yeah about the timing belt...

While i was servicing my car, i had the rocker cover off had a look at the timing belt and the engine mount.

It appears the mount goes throught the belt loop, so if you had to take the belt off, you have to unbolt the engine mount lol

I think you could do it supporting the engine and removing all the pas/alternator pumps and the mount on the chassis, maybe you would have just enough room to change it.

Thank f*ck my belt is in good condition

THAT explains it!! Slight design fault methinks! ](*,)

If you think that's bad, my old Yamaha 750 triple had a spark plug shaft running through the cam chain, which means you have to break the chain and fit a new master link every time you want to remove the cylinder head !

I heard that you need to remove the engine in the big VW toureg - the one with the W12? If you want to change the alternator #-o

And to think I thought it was a schlep having to remove the drive shaft to replace my alternator .....

On that note, how do you get to the oil filter

Oil filter's a doddle - just jack her up, remove the right front wheel and access the filter through the wheel arch ! (Took me about an hour and a half to figure that out the first time I did it, though ...)

easier on the V6. It's just on the inside of the engine, halfway up from the centre (sounds vague but you really can't miss it unles you're wearing dark glasses at night - not recommended practice for mechanical work!! )

Take the engine out to change the timing belt on a V6..... don't make me laugh