Just installed new radiator recently (with the help on my good friend).....but i still seem to be running into a constant issue when i am using the AC (only) when it is UNGODLY HOT out here in south texas. I have noticed that my temp gauge goes past the half mark. Now the water pump is almost 5 months old so i know it can't be that (my Mazda Thermostat is about a 1 year old). I also do see that my Alt belt keeps on getting loose after some time driving her. I go and tighten the belt again then to no avail it gets loose once more some time down the road. The alt belt and the AC belt are the only ones on the engine. I do not have my Air pump belt installed. Could my alternator belt be loosening because my air pump belt is not there on the water pump pully as well?? Could that be my problem all along? have any one you run into this wierd problem? Thanks my fellow 1st genners.

 

The alt/WP belt could be slipping. That's asking a lot out of one belt, and it doesn't have much surface area on the WP. That is why the belt is always getting loose, it's stretching from the tension and strain. Keep tightening it down more, and it will break. Hope you have a spare and tools handy.
Of course, the higher load on the eletrical system could be playing more of a role in the temp gauge climbing higher. I have seen many cases where having the lights on will make a car *appear* to be running hotter than it actually is. Usually caused by grounding issues.

 

Wow you pretty much hit it o nthe head. I have extra belts..i will install this weekend. I will let you know hoe she acts after the fact. Thanks rouge!

 

Is it only hot when in traffic or during highway driving too? If it is only traffic, it could be the fan clutch going out. If you had an aftermarket gauge, you could verify that it really is getting hot and not something screwy with the stokc gauge/sender.

Oh, and leave those poor goats alone!

 

No the goats are free game lol!


No in traffic she is fine.....she goes way below half. Its only when i am at WOT hitting it hard and when it is just blazing hot outside (which is common down here) with the AC on. Yeah i need to get an aftermarket temp gauge just to make sure everything is actually fine.


like i said earlier i will put new belts on all around andsee how she acts.

 

Since it's at highway speeds where it seems to getting warm, fan shroud and under belly tray both in place? They will run warm without one or both of those.
Fan clutch is usually the other way around, gets hot at slow speeds, but stays cool on the highway.

 

Make sure you are using a quality belt such as Napa, etc....

 

Are you using the OEM temperature T-stat?

Also check the bottom radiator hose to make sure it is not collapsing when the T-stat opens up.

When was the last time you replaced the radiator cap and what is your mixture of anti-freeze?

 

You've got a bad belt there. It stretches in use, that's the only reason it could get looser. Get the best belt you can find (and keep a spare in the car!) because that belt doesn't have much wraparound on the pulley. Also, don't overtighten the belt! It can cause the water pump bushing to wear out prematurely. That happened to me a couple months ago because the mechanic (Reuben! My nemesis!) overtightened and the new WP wore out in 5 months! I believe the FSM calls for 16mm play with moderate transverse force applied to the belt.

 

Do you have that "yahoo" belt installed from when you removed the air pump?

That will help make sure that the water pump pulley is not slipping

 

Yoohoo belt or dual pulley should solve your problem. The belt is slipping at higher rpms. If the temp stays down in traffic, AC on, in that Texas heat, the cooling system is in good shape.

 

I have no YAHOO belt. I didn't think you could get one with the AC still attached to the car?!?!? I still have the air pump just with no belt..but I will be putting on that belt on her either tommorow or monday. Plus i will replace the alt belt because its probably stretched and fubar'ed lol. Thank you fellas!

 

YEs i am using a true mazda OEM t-stat. My rad cap is ******* OLD though! probably as old as Rouge_Wulff (lol! just kidding mang!) I should replace that as well. My anti freeze mixture is a true 50/50. Is that good or should i adjust that mixture?

 

The "yoohoo" belt goes in place of the air pump. Replacing the air pump and alt belts *should* solve the issue, if it's just belt slippage.
You rad cap cannot be as old as me......

 

lol!

 

Well, it cannot, since I'm older than Mazda's rotary engine. I was 3 when the first one went on sale.....

50/50 mix should be good. You could go with a weaker mix, since it rarely gets very cold down there in SA. Anti-freeze has a higher boiling point than water, but doesn't absorb/disipate heat as quickly. It does, however, help keep the cooling system from getting rusty.

 

Well i changed out all the belts today with new/ better ones. Looks like that did the trick. After installing everything i drove her around for a while with the AC full blast and she stayed below half even in the hottest part of the day. Hope she keeps it up. i will let you guys know if anything changes for the worse. Thanks again everyone!

 

neato

 

Glad you got it under control.

Still recommend you replace the radiator cap as PM. If it fails it will greatly affect the cooling system.

Also recommend that you pick up a bottle of Redlines "Water Wetter". It enhances the ability of the Anti Freeze to carry off heat faster therefore helping to lower the engine operating temperature.

Dang, If Rogue is F'ing old then I'm Ancient.

 

Another little victory!!!!

 

ooo i did notice my rad cap failing right in front of me....when i got done running an errand the rad cap was hissing LOL. It was leaking antifreeze. SO its time for a new one. i will buy that water wetter as well. I have always wanted to try it but i didn't know if i could use it on our beloved rotary engines. You just answered that question for me though thanks mang!