Just noticed this tonight while I was getting gas and checking my oil. Is this important? What do I do about this?



Noobie question, sorry... I mean I just found my spark plugs...

and as a secondary purpose for this topic...

As an almost-complete newb to cars and how they work, (I've been learning some) and even more so the rx-7, what would be the a good way for me to learn more? I've been exploring the automotive section of howstuffworks.com and stuff like that, and I'm reading the book "Auto Repair For Dummies." But what I feel like I need to really know is the specific things I need to do for the rx-7, like proper maintenance and common issues and such. I'd be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

 

Do you have a bigger picture? It looks like that may be the air pump belt, and needless to say you should get it back on the proper accessory. If that belt is bouncing around, it could break something like the metering oil pump lines, which are on the front of the engine.

The best way to learn is with the Factory Service Manual, training manual, and a Haynes manual. Some helpful links:
http://www.rotaryheads.com/PDF/2nd_gen/index.html
http://mazdarx7.iougs.com/

 

Those look excellent, awesome!

and here's a bigger picture:

 

The belt has definitely slipped off the air pump pulley as depicted on the left side of the pic provided.

 

So how do I get it back on? I'm guessing the air pump can be loosened so the belt can be put back on and then tightened again, but I haven't been able to figure it out. I tried loosening the bolt you can see in the picture above and to the right of the pump pulley, but it didn't budge. I've also been poking around the factory service manuals but I haven't been able to find anything there yet either.

 

alright I got it, the air pump only moves a little but so I just used brute force.

 

The adjustment bracket for the alternator is located on top but for the air pump it is located underneath the pump in case you didn't see it.