Discovered a issue today. I believe my P/S pump is going bad. Heres a pic of the soot I found on and around the P/S pump and pulley. Heres a noise that developed recently. Before this noise the pump did for sure have a whine to it. I just want to be sure its pump related. Ive never seen soot like that before too, it was chunky.





Sorry for the iPhone photography.

 

That is not soot. It is your belt self destructing.

 

Definitely the belt. Is everything aligned right? How is the belt tension?

 

Whats the noise? How do I check alignment? They have been squeeking prior to that noise starting and these are brand new belts.

 

replace your A/C and P/S belt idler.

looks like it's done and cooking your belt. you can get them brand new from mazda still for about 75 bones.

 

Yeah I completely took off my belt. The noise is gone so its either my P/S pump itself or the idler. But I did find that my idler adjustment screw is completely stripped. Would hardly move.

I know the only way for me to get this belt back up and running is to remove the bracket and either drill it and rethread it or a new bracket. Can I drive the car without P/S for now.

 

yeah you can drive it, the steering will be more difficult than even a manual rack though.

 

Yeah took me a while in the beginning to find the P/S parts so I just had my rack open with no fluid for a couple weeks. I can't imagine how it will be full of fluid. I think I matters well just get a manual rack. But I want to keep my AC if that is possible.