Well I have a 1987 Mazda RX-7 NA and I have recently began to have some cooling issues. The A/C on my car does work, and the car is mostly stock(except for aftermarket 2.5 inch exhaust.

I recently replaced the A/C belt and the alternator/water pump belt. Since then I have had problems with the new belt on the alternator wearing alot (belt dust all over the place) and at idle, the belt wobbles alot. It almost looks like it's about to fly off any minute.

I have loosened the belt and checked for water pump play and there doesn't seem to be any. But there is also a squeaking noise too, which is probably because the belt is flopping so much.

Keep in mind that this car had been sitting up for 8 years and I have recently got it back on the road again and have driven the car for about 500 miles. I didn't replace the coolant, because it was still nice and green. I was just wondering if maybe there's something I'm missing here because when the belt is tight, it still flops around.

Any help would greatly be appreciated!!!

-Vincent

 

You need to address that Alt belt, its part of what drives the cooling system. If its that loose then there is a big problem.

 

Well the belt was tight when I put the new one on the car a few weeks ago. I have looked to see if something is mis aligned, but so far everything looks straight.

 

I'd flush that coolant as well if it's been sitting for 8 years.

 

do what everyone else said and also change your thermostat

 

Well this morning I basically drained all of the old coolant out of the motor (which looked brand new btw) and I did a full flush with the garden hose and I did a chemical flush. I wound up having to remove the fan shroud to make things easier to get to. I also replaced the "radiator cap" because the old one was OE and falling apart!

I had a really hard time getting it back full of water because the bleeder screw on the side of the water outlet is STRIPPED!!! I noticed it when I first started getting the car going back a few months ago. But with the A/C on full blast and idleing for 20 minutes in 90+ degree heat, the needle is a little past a third of the way up.

I also replaced the alternator belt, I think the first one I put on there I installed way too tight and it stretched it. So this time I used the 90 degree twist rule and it turned out good.

Something else that I would like to say is that I recently got rid of the stock exhaust and the two cats my car had and MAN WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! I now have a full 2.5" single exit exhaust (left side) with a magnaflow muffler and a chrome tip. I can really tell a difference in power!

I owned a Turbo II car that I recently sold that had a few mods, but I must say that my N/A car is more fun to drive. I can't explain why, but it just is. I mean my 89 T2 had bigger brakes, power steering, 9 psi boost, etc, etc-but for some reason even though my NA doesn't have much power, its better. I'm sure there are others on this board that would say the same?

Thanks for the help!

-Vincent